David Gauke, the former Justice Secretary now reviewing sentencing policy for the government, has long been a thoughtful voice in criminal justice. The reforms reportedly under consideration – including smarter punishments for low-level crime and early release for some offenders – suggest a welcome shift: away from the political chest-beating of ‘tough on crime’ rhetoric, and toward outcomes that might actually reduce reoffending.
If we are finally starting to accept that punishment must have purpose – that it must lead somewhere – then there’s a broader conversation we urgently need to have. And that’s about who is allowed to take part in shaping the system.
This is not about tokenism. It’s about competence and accountability
The Representation of the People Act 1981, introduced in the wake of Bobby Sands’ election during the Troubles, bars anyone serving more than a year in prison from standing for parliament. At the time, it was a crude but politically convenient tool to prevent another symbolic embarrassment to the state.
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