Conservatives promise to scrap Sentencing Council

The Conservative Party has announced plans to dismantle the Sentencing Council, a body responsible for setting sentencing guidelines in England and Wales. According to the party's shadow justice secretary, Robert Jenrick, the Conservatives aim to place ministers in charge of sentencing policy, effectively removing the Sentencing Council's independent role. The proposed changes are part of the Conservatives' broader agenda to reform the criminal justice system. The party argues that the current system has led to lenient sentences and a lack of public confidence. By placing sentencing decisions in the hands of elected officials, the Conservatives claim they can ensure that sentences better reflect public concerns and are more responsive to changes in crime patterns. However, critics of the proposal warn that it could undermine the independence of the judiciary and lead to more politically-motivated sentencing decisions. They argue that the Sentencing Council's role in providing impartial, evidence-based guidelines is crucial for maintaining a fair and consistent justice system.