Labour MPs Condemn Plans to Reduce Jury Trials, Urge Prime Minister to Reverse Decision
Thirty-nine Labour MPs have signed a letter urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to reverse plans to reduce jury trials in England and Wales, describing the move as madness. The proposals, put forward by Justice Secretary David Lammy, aim to divert thousands of trials from juries to judges and magistrates to address a significant court backlog.
The government, supported by retired judge Sir Brian Leveson, argue that the court backlog harms victims, witnesses, and defendants, and that reform is necessary. However, the Labour MPs warn that the plan is not a silver bullet and would erode a fundamental right, proposing alternative measures such as increasing the number of sitting days for courts to handle more trials.
Karl Turner, Labour MP for Kingston upon Hull East and coordinator of the letter, criticized the plan as unworkable. He pointed to consultations in Scotland and delays caused by contractor Serco in delivering defendants to court as examples of challenges. Keir Starmer has defended jury trials as a cornerstone of serious cases, noting that around 80,000 cases are currently waiting in crown courts, with numbers potentially rising above 100,000 without reform.
The letter indicates a potential backbench rebellion, with more MPs considering signing and public concern growing over the proposed reduction of jury trials.
