Justice Secretary David Lammy is facing mounting internal opposition to his controversial proposals to slash the number of jury trials in England and Wales, with one rebel Labour backbencher sarcastically suggesting the minister might resort to extravagant incentives to secure support.
Rebel MP Declares Reforms 'Finished'
Karl Turner, the Labour MP for Kingston upon Hull East and a former barrister, has delivered a scathing assessment of the government's plans, declaring them effectively 'finished'. In remarks to Politico's 'London Playbook' newsletter, Turner stated bluntly: 'This plan is finished and if Lammy doesn't stop digging he deserves to be kicked out of government.'
A Tongue-in-Cheek Warning
Turner, who has vowed to oppose the measures 'every step of the way', joked about the Justice Secretary's apparent desperation. 'I wouldn't be surprised if he starts offering disgruntled Labour MPs a brand new family car each and a fortnight in Marbella,' the MP quipped, highlighting the depth of backbench discontent. Turner was the sole Labour MP to vote against the government in a recent Conservative opposition debate calling for the jury changes to be rejected.
The Core of the Controversy
The reforms, initially proposed last year, aim to reduce the Crown court backlog, which stands at a record 80,000 cases. Mr Lammy has outlined that forthcoming legislation would allow certain cases, currently heard by a jury, to be handled by a judge sitting alone in new 'swift courts' or by magistrates. The government has indicated it would drop jury trials for offences likely to result in a prison sentence of three years or less.
Internal Dissent and External Criticism
Turner's criticism extended to social media, where he posted on X (formerly Twitter), urging Labour leader Keir Starmer to intervene. 'I am more convinced than ever that [Lammy's] proposals to do away with (some) jury trials cannot work,' he wrote. In a symbolic move, Turner also shared a photograph of himself with Conservative MP David Davis at a parliamentary event opposing the plans, commenting on the unusual alliance formed to challenge his own government's policy.
Ministerial Justifications and Legal Backlash
Justice Minister Sarah Sackman recently defended the proposals, stating she would advocate for them even without the existing court backlog crisis. 'We need a better system where courts, not criminals, triage cases, one that makes better use of jurors' time,' she told the Commons. However, these remarks prompted a fierce response from criminal barristers, who accused the Labour government of planning to 'take an axe to the criminal justice system' without sufficient evidence that the scheme would be effective.
Signs of a Potential U-Turn
Reports emerged this week suggesting the government might be considering a partial retreat to avert a full-scale backbench rebellion. According to Sky News' Politics podcast, ministers could pledge to review the jury reforms once the backlog is reduced, rather than implementing irreversible changes immediately. This indicates significant pressure within Labour ranks to modify the approach.
Government's Stance and Long-Term Vision
In response to speculation about watering down the reforms, a Ministry of Justice spokesman emphasised the government's commitment to pressing ahead. 'This kind of speculation does nothing to address the unacceptable delays for victims in our criminal justice system,' the spokesman stated. The government cites Sir Brian Leveson's independent review and the increasing complexity of modern cases—often involving digital evidence like smartphones—which have doubled the length of jury trials since 2000, as justification for long-term systemic change.
The ongoing debate underscores a deep rift within the Labour Party over fundamental justice reforms, with the final shape of the legislation yet to be presented to Parliament.
