Douglas Carswell's Blog

Labour's stance on police reform shows they do not trust people

"What is the biggest difference between Conservative and Labour?", a group of sixth formers in my constituency recently asked.

I hesitated for a moment. I nearly said "deficit reduction and the economy". Until I realised that while we are increasing public debt by 51 percent over this Parliament, Labour's plan is to increase it by 59 percent.

"Europe and immigration", I wanted to be able to say. Until I realised that it is the continuity in policy between the two administrations that is more striking than any changes there have been.

The key difference (but not the only) between Labour and Conservative is instead in their attitude to ordinary people. New model Conservatives trust the people to know what is best. Labour believes a remote elite are best placed to decide what is right.

Next year, every person in your neighbourhood will have the chance to vote in the local police boss, or sheriff, where you live. Instead of deciding what is the right way of policing, and imposing police priorities from Whitehall, we will crowd source the decisions.

Indeed, if you feel really strongly about what needs to be done to improve policing in your area, you might even be encouraged to stand for the role yourself? Politics is not something a remote group of party cadres should do for us. It is something we should be able to do directly for ourselves. Step forward any Ray Mallons and Rudy Guilianis, we need you.

Today, by contrast Yvette Cooper, Labour spokesperson on such matters, tells us that a committee of experts, led by Lord Stevens of Kirkwhelpington, will take evidence from the experts. They will consider what needs to be done to respond to crime in your area.

We Conservatives have set up a committee of experts, too. We've put you and every local person in your area on it. We reckon you know your area better than any group of Whitehall grandees. And next November, we're giving you the right to hire - and four years later - fire, the Police Commissioner where you live.

Labour believe in the wisdom of the expert. Conservatives believe in the wisdom of the crowd.

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