We are all doomed.  People who are devoid of any notion of commonsense or idea of fairness, govern us.  Home Secretary John Reid's latest attention seeking initiative just beggars belief. Dr Reid wants to "rebalance criminal justice in favour of victims" and is to launch a consultation on how to achieve his aim. This follows on from a recent call by APCO (Association of Chief Police Officers) for the Government to close  "loopholes" enabling criminals to "escape justice". Common examples of so-called loopholes mentioned by Dr Reid include the Police failing to properly read suspects their rights, or searching homes with out-of-date warrants.

The Police are forever looking for ways to make their job easier. Lowering the requirements of the procedural processes by which they perform their duties is not the answer.  It is a slippery slope.  Not being able to follow basic procedures correctly is just sheer incompetence.  If the Police wish to secure a conviction, they must do things right.  If they do not follow the letter of the Law they have only themselves to blame.  Complying with the Law is not a game.  Laws are intended to apply to all of us, equally.  The Police are not a special case.  Perhaps Dr Reid ought to consider "letting us off" if we are a few days late renewing our car insurance through oversight. What about that parking ticket?  Only ten minutes late? 

Our criminal justice system would work just fine if everyone concentrated upon doing their job diligently.  We don't need any significant changes to the rules.  This applies to every arm of government, too.  The Labour Government's attitude is that if something doesn't appear to be working (according, most usually, to a small pressure group) slap a new law on it. All that has happened is that Government has made matters worse. In retrospect, everything seemed to work well enough before New Labour arrived. The Home Secretary would do well to ponder upon that.