Esther McVey

Esther McVey

Conservative — Tatton

Speaking in the House of Commons on 21 October 2025

Debate

Sentencing Bill

Contribution

My right hon. Friend is absolutely right that this Bill removes a deterrent. Repeat knife offenders are supposed to get a mandatory immediate custodial sentence of six months, minimum—not a guarantee, effectively, that they will evade prison because their sentence is 12 months or less. Why would anyone think twice about carrying a knife if they know that they will not see the inside of a cell, and that the courts will be powerless to send them to prison?

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