Labour civil war erupts over Lammy’s ‘stupid’ plans – and guess who’s behind the rebellion
Three dozen Labour MPs are signed up in opposition to the government’s highly divisive plan.
Mr Lammy’s plan is facing a huge rebellion (Image: Getty)
Nearly three dozen Labour MPs have backed a letter opposing David Lammy’s plan to scrap jury trials, in yet another sign of brewing civil war. The opposition has been led by Hull East MP Karl Turner, who has branded the plan “stupid” and “undemocratic” in recent days.
Over 30 MPs have reportedly signed a letter by Mr Turner opposing the move to abandon the centuries-old trial by jury for all but the most heinous crimes. Mr Turner has also suggested that Angela Rayner, the former Prime Minister who still wields huge power over Labour, is opposed to Mr Lammy’s scheme. He said: “I am aware that Angela Rayner is against these plans and understand that she is continuing to make representations to ministers and the Prime Minister behind the scenes, and I am hugely grateful for her support.
Karl Turner is leading the rebellion (Image: Getty)
“[She] can see the consequences of these ill-thought-through plans on the criminal justice system, but she can also see how politically damaging this will be at the next election.
“It is clear that these plans will not be supported in the House of Lords, and I am growing more confident by the day that the legislation would also be voted down by MPs.”
He told PoliticsHome that nearly 30 Labour MPs had signed his letter by last Friday, and he’s hopeful to get around 50 signatures before submitting it.
The Express understands this has now risen to 35 by the close of play today.
Government whips are instructing his fellow MPs not to sign it, or even remove their names.
Top Tory Robert Jenrick has led fury at the plans, accusing Keir Starmer and David Lammy of believing that “ordinary people are too stupid” to sit on juries and oversee justice.
Angela Rayner is reportedly opposed to the plan (Image: Getty)
Mr Jenrick said: “If Lammy’s proposals pass, it’s the beginning of the end for jury trials.
“If Lammy was interested in tackling the court backlog he’d get the courts sitting around the clock. But he refuses. He confessed today that slashing jury trials won’t even guarantee the backlog falls.
“The truth is that many in the Labour Party simply don’t trust ordinary people to make decisions.
“The message from Starmer is clear: ordinary people are too stupid, too troublesome, too time-consuming to be trusted with administering justice.”
In 2020, Mr Lammy tweeted: “Jury trials are a fundamental part of our democratic settlement. Criminal trials without juries are a bad idea.”
Mr Lammy has insisted he has not changed his mind.
