More years ago than I care to remember, I wrote: “Those entering politics will tell you they want to serve, when really they have a perversion to rule. Usually, it is the first one in a long career of lies.” I feel that quote remains as true today as ever – in fact, so much so that perhaps we should insist on every politician having tattooed across their forehead: “It’s about the people, stupid!”
Do you remember the Tory election pledge that all knife offenders should go to jail? It received overwhelming public support, and “Tough on Crime” became the slogan of the day. However on coming to office, Kenneth Clarke, the Justice Secretary, soon softened that by saying offenders should only “expect” to go to prison. This week revealed the shocking truth. The latest figures show that, in fact, just 20% of knife-crime offenders are now actually receiving a custodial sentence, and the rate continues to fall.
Defending the statistics, a Ministry of Justice spokesman is reported as saying: “The Government’s position is clear: any adult who commits a crime using a knife can expect to be sent to prison and serious offenders can expect a long sentence.”
To me, that sounds about as patronising and insulting as the recorded telephone message commonly heard from many a customer service centre these days: “We value your custom (vote?) and take your complaint seriously . . .” However, in this case, it simply is not true. The statistics do not bear out the spokesman’s statement, making it a blatant lie!
When only one fifth of those convicted are being sent to prison at present, and that ratio can be seen continuing to fall, how can any offender realistically expect to receive a long sentence? How? One doesn’t need a degree in arithmetic to see the odds are plainly against it! Never mind about the people bit, surely those responsible for this “Soft on Crime” approach deserve having just the “Stupid!” part of that tattoo on their foreheads, don’t they? What kind of a message do they think these figures will give to those prepared to carry knives?
Now the truth is out, I fear we shall see a notable rise in knife crimes this coming year – and at a time when our police forces too will be making their cuts!
I keep hearing it said that locking up offenders doesn’t work. Well, it works fine for me! It’s not about rehabilitation – that’s only a bonus to strive for – it’s about the people, stupid! People need to feel safe, and not at risk because of some whimsical experiment that has nothing substantive to back it up. We cannot place our trust in favourable results found in Scandinavia. On a similar excuse, the 24hr drinking was introduced. We were told it would promote a relaxed cafe culture, and our streets would become safer of a night – yeah, right! That disaster alone should tell us we’re not the same as other countries, and one size doesn’t always fit all.
In dire need of that full tattoo must be Jeremy Hunt, the Culture Secretary. He is making it possible for Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation to takeover BSkyB. In the long term, should it happen, on many fronts this deal has great possibilities of aversely affecting the general public. Suspicions will be: Jeremy is primarily thinking of future jobs for the boys. The suggestion has already appeared in the feedback comments of one national newspaper (and probably more), where it received favourable support. This unpopular Murdoch decision is an own goal the coalition could easily have avoided, so why didn’t it? Something about this has an unpleasant odour!
It seems politicians, and those in public service, need constantly reminding: “It’s about the people, stupid!” But do they listen? Do they remember? Do they actually realise who they work for, and whose interests should come first? Sadly, I feel very few of them really care, and that number decreases over time. Once they secure their employment, or their party is elected, it very soon becomes a case of: “Ring the bell, I’m on the bus!”
Speaking of on the bus, I see Mervyn King, Governor of the Bank of England, has warned that remaining “imbalances” in the banking system are “beginning to grow again”, and he fears another financial crisis. He describes banking manoeuvres becoming normal and acceptable (sharp practice to you and I?), where banks make money out of gullible or unsuspecting customers, and a returning focus on the bonus-led “profits next week” system. What is the government doing about it? Talking it down, that’s what! The banks are an embarrassment to the government. While the general public take pay cuts and lose jobs, those responsible for our plight – the banks and financial institutions – continue to pay their top wages and unbelievable bonuses, with few changes to the system and only negligible penalties.
Listen. Did you hear that? Ding-ding!
