Trouble with Justice secretaries (2 letters)

Kenan Malik`s thoughtful and detailed article on the subject of redemption contrasted sharply with the knee-jerk response from the government to the London Bridge killings, and in particular with the associated electioneering which followed.(Redemption defines a civilised society. We must not forsake it, 08.12.19). In fact, one is tempted to wonder whether any similar analysis of evidence about, for instance, whether "such programmes" as the healthy identity intervention "actually work" takes place at all within the confines of government.

Clearly, none of the recent seven Tory justice secretaries understood that their misguided policies  failed completely to lessen the chances of radicalisation taking place in our prisons, or even that their austerity measures led to the conditions which have produced so many violent jihadists. 

          This problem is compounded by the fact that the position of secretary for justice is viewed by Tory politicians merely as a temporary stepping-stone on the route to "higher" government positions, and by prime ministers as a job for the least competent of loyal supporters. Hence, the position was held by Chris Grayling from 2012 to 2015, Gove, trying to resurrect his career after being sacked for antagonising the teaching profession, 2015 to 2016, followed in quick succession for periods of less than twelve months by Truss, Lidington and Gauke.  The trend appears to be continued with the present incumbent, Robert Buckland, seeng fit to defend on the Today programme the prime minister`s appalling attempts to make electoral gain after Usman Khan`s attack, but it is obviously a trend which demands curtailment..

 Until the job of justice secretary is viewed as one of the most important in government, and is given to a politician determined to hold the position for at least three years, in a government which acknowledges huge funding is required to support a policy formulated after detailed cross-party talks, there is little chance of terrorism or prison radicalisation ending. Such an expert would be aware that removing all reasons for terrorism to grow in the first place would have to be one of the top priorities.

      Well said, Kenan! Redemption is indeed the "mark of a civilised society", but another one, also, is electing a leader who believes in giving all offenders the opportunity of rehabilitation!

Jeremy Corbyn is right to say that "cuts to public services has led to authorities struggling to effectively tackle terrorism", but hopefully he also realises that more is needed than increased spending.

Clearly, none of the recent seven Tory justice secretaries has understood that their misguided policies have failed completely to lessen the chances of radicalisation taking place in our prisons, or even that their austerity measures led to the conditions which have produced so many violent jihadists. 

          This problem is compounded by the fact that the position of secretary for justice is viewed by Tory politicians merely as a temporary stepping-stone on the route to "higher" government positions, and by prime ministers as a job for the least competent of loyal supporters. Hence, the position was held by Chris Grayling from 2012 to 2015, Gove, trying to resurrect his career after being seen as "evil" incarnate by the teaching profession, 2015 to 2016, followed in quick succession for periods of less than twelve months by Truss, Lidington and Gauke.  The trend appears to be continued with the present incumbent, Robert Buckland, seeng fit to defend on the Today programme the prime minister`s appalling attempts to make electoral gain out of the London Bridge attack, but it is obviously a trend which Labour must seek to end.

 Until the job of justice secretary is viewed as one of the most important in government, and is given to a politician determined to hold the position for at least three years, in a government which acknowledges huge funding is required to support a policy formulated after detailed cross-party talks, there is little chance of terrorism or prison radicalisation ending. Such an expert would be aware that removing all reasons for terrorism to grow in the first place would have to be one of the top priorities.