Member

New clause 14 relates to our broader intention to reform the accountability of our justice system. We will begin by restoring accountability for the provision of sentencing guidelines. We saw that the Sentencing Council was intent on introducing two-tier sentencing guidelines, and resisted all attempts to prevent them from doing that. Too many organisations have become disconnected from public accountability. They think that simply putting something on a website, or holding focus groups, means that they understand what the public want and are accountable to them. That is not accountability, and in the coming years we will set out a programme of reforms to ensure that, while the judicial establishment retains its independence when it is vital to its successful operation, it is not sitting in an ivory tower, separated from accountability to the wider public whom it serves.