Prime Minister Keir Starmer is confronting a significant internal party revolt over controversial government proposals to drastically reduce the number of jury trials in England and Wales. A letter signed by 39 Labour backbenchers has branded the plans as "madness" and threatens a rebellion unless the policy is reversed.
Backbench Fury Over 'Fundamental Right'
The justice secretary, David Lammy, announced the measures earlier this month, arguing they are necessary to tackle a record-breaking backlog in the courts. The plans, influenced by proposals from retired judge Sir Brian Leveson, would see thousands of cases shifted away from the jury system to be heard instead by judges and magistrates.
However, the coordinated letter from MPs delivers a stark warning to the Prime Minister. It states that restricting the right to trial by jury is "an ineffective way of dealing with the crippling backlog in cases in our criminal justice system." The MPs argue the public "will not stand for the erosion of a fundamental right" for what they believe will be, at best, a marginal impact on court delays.
A Growing Coalition of Concern
Karl Turner, the Labour MP for Kingston upon Hull East who helped coordinate the letter, emphasised the breadth of opposition. He revealed that the signatories include MPs who have never before voted against the party whip. "I have never voted against the Labour whip ever in the 15 years I have been in. I will do on this," Turner stated unequivocally in a BBC Radio 4 interview.
Turner, who describes himself as a friend of the Prime Minister and on "texting terms" with him, criticised the root causes of the backlog. He pointedly noted that private security firm Serco failing to deliver defendants to court on time is a major contributing factor, suggesting the government should address such operational failures first.
Government Defence and Mounting Pressure
The government and Sir Brian Leveson maintain that the unprecedented backlog, which currently stands at almost 80,000 cases in the crown courts, is failing victims, witnesses, and defendants alike. Lammy has warned that without radical reform, this figure could soar to over 100,000.
In response to critics, Starmer has previously argued that jury trials already constitute only a small proportion of cases in the criminal courts. During Prime Minister's Questions last week, he assured that "juries will remain a cornerstone of our justice system for the most serious cases."
Despite this reassurance, the rebel MPs have proposed alternative solutions to clear the backlog, including:
- Increasing the number of sitting days for courts.
- Addressing systemic inefficiencies like prisoner transport.
- Investing in broader court capacity and resources.
With Turner warning that more MPs are coming forward with concerns daily, the Prime Minister faces a delicate balancing act between implementing promised justice reforms and quelling a rebellion that strikes at the heart of a long-cherished legal principle.
