A message from Nick Timothy MP:
I appreciate the responses of everyone who took time to participate in my recent survey on the right to a jury trial.
A summary of results is below. 90% say they oppose moves to abolish an ancient liberty such as the right to trial by jury for a large category of offences.87% say this sets a dangerous precedent for the future.
If you would still like to take part in the survey, please click here.
Best wishes
Nick Timothy MP
- The question: “Do you believe it is right for the Government to abolish an ancient liberty such as the right to trial by jury for a large category of offences?” 90% say the Government is wrong to do this.
2. This question: “Instead of abolishing jury trials, do you think the Government should focus on making practical changes such as increasing court sitting days, making better use of underused courtrooms, giving the Lord Chancellor the power to issue new sentencing guidance and making savings by abolishing the Sentencing Council?” 90% said making other reforms would be a better way of tackling delays than abolishing jury trials.
3. This question: “Do you think implementing these changes will mark the beginning of the end of jury trials completely, with further restrictions to come in future?“: Around 87% agreed with the sentiment that this sets a dangerous precedent for further erosion of jury trials.
4. Respondents were also able to give further comments on this topic. A selection of these is below.
“I am genuinely glad to learn that you are a passionate supporter of the jury system. I hope that you will agree with me that jurors have an absolute right to acquit a defendant according to their conscience, and oppose interference by judges in the rights of defendants to present their evidence to the jury.”
“All who end up in prison deserve to be there however with the new rules far too many dangerous people are being let out due to labours great idea of the early release scheme. It’s disgusting and if I could have an hour explaining how my family have been treated with regards to a prisoner currently (not for much longer) serving a sentence to those who like to think they are in charge I’d be a happier man than I am now!”
“Let’s get rid of David Lammy and the labour government. They do not have the interest of the British public at heart”
“No doubt the legal profession is horrified by this proposal because of the threat to their potential earnings! The whole legal system is in a hopeless state of decay largely brought about by the last Tory goverment i.e Theresa May’s reduction in the police strength by 20,000 officers an action instigated and led by Sir Tom Winsor (a “Rail Regulator”!) . The shortage and delapidation of prisons, the onerous demands of evidence disclosure on the prosecution and an ill equiped and under resourced CPS that has too few experienced and competent prosecutors.”
“This is just the latest erosion of all that this country stands for, our institutions and liberties, by this government – the worst in post- war history.”
“We will end up becoming as near Communist as is possible at Labours hands. They give so many Benefits as it keeps people dependant on them, these are the ones that they be enabling not thinking for them, feeding their children and taking away so much responsibility.”
“I do not oppose the extension of the sentencing powers of magistrates, who form a mini jury and as such, with a good Legal Advisor, are likely to make good decisions. I suspect that the success of appeals from the magistrates court is often down to technical matters, and your figure says nothing about the extent of the changes. Remember that two magistrates sit on these appeals anyway!”
“Something as important as this must be voted on by the people, especially as there is no faith or confidence in this Labour Government.”
“A fair justice system is a cornerstone of democracy. It must be protected. Judges and magistrates tend to come from a relatively narrow section of society and consequently have a similar view or outlook. Juries provide a better social and class mix. It is my view that this lessens the chance of a wrongful conviction.”
“Changes should be based on evidence, so the government should ask the judges to submit verdicts and then compare them to the jury verdicts and see how and where they differ.”
“Newmarket lost it Courts lost it police station and were left without that presence …, cost savings apparently but what is the cost we are paying now increase in crime and no where to deliver judgement.”
“I have done jury service, so have a couple of my friends, we all sat alongside a wide selection of people in terms of age, demographic, gender and race, its a vital part of the justice system that must not be lost.”
“none of this would have happened if the tories had not made such a dogs arse of it , effectively it’s the conservatives fault we are suffering under labour right now !”
“They can control a judge, not a whole Jury.”
