"Attacking juries must be regarded a betrayal of the values for which Labour purports to stand. How have they come to betray a principle that has been so important over the centuries for those who have dissented or stood for progress?"
"Trial by jury is a much-admired part of English heritage, trusted by the public, and has a constitutional importance in allowing lay people to stand up independently against the state and extend mercy to defendants who deserve it."
"The bill does seem a betrayal of Labour traditions and values. MPs who vote in favour will be on the wrong side of their party's own history."
Geoffrey Robertson KC criticizes the proposed reduction of jury trials in England and Wales, arguing it undermines fundamental Labour values. He contends that cutting jury trials by half to address court backlogs is counterproductive and detrimental. Robertson emphasizes the historical significance of jury trials in protecting individual rights against the state. He cites past cases, such as Clive Ponting's, to illustrate the importance of juries in upholding justice and public interest, warning that supporting the bill contradicts Labour's progressive legacy.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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