Today's election results justify, for once, the journalistic hyperbole about them. 'Historic' Astounding' and suchlike are appropriate.
We wait with bated breath to hear who will be the Justice ministers. The Government's avowed overriding priority of dealing with the deficit will of course impose stringency on the finances of the justice system; so far, so inevitable, but I cross my fingers in hope that the medium-level ministers involved will not see the price of everything while knowing the value of nothing.
Justice is difficult to define, but awkward to support from day to day, but it remains true that to allow injustice as a consequence of financial stringency is a outrage.
Let's give things a few months and see what happens.
In terms of the Justice system, you may have or point, or you may not, in other terms it was a joyous result with the icing on the cake of the 2015 "Portillo moment"! when Balls was booted out.
ReplyDeleteThe nation has spoken. Ed was crap and never looked Prime Ministerial.. The hook up with the Unions that allowed Ed to become leader was a huge mistake.. Cue another few yrs of soul searching as the chances of a Labour Govt next time round are very small.
We can only hope Cameron is a one nation Tory and governs for all.
Sadly, it looks as though we will have to wait not a few months but 60, without much choice in the matter.
ReplyDeleteMichael Gove appointed as Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary. We are all screwed royally now. Defendants, judiciary, probation (what is left), cps, legal aid, hmcts, defense solicitors. But most importantly JUSTICE. R.I.P.
ReplyDeleteGove. Bad luck. I'm sure he'll not totally ruin the remains of the justice system Grayling worked so hard to smash.
ReplyDeleteGove. Oh dear.
ReplyDeleteI doubt you will have to wait as long as a few months to find out how your situation on the bench is affected by the new government, Gove was one of the most blinkered education ministers for a long time.
ReplyDeleteHis total lack of understanding of, or care for, the problems and needs in all ages of education prompted even Cameron to 'move him on'.
The prospect of the magistrates' courts, in particular, being given the funding and support so desperately needed is slim under the control of this bigot.
You're not a teacher by any chance?
DeleteNo, but I have children...
DeleteI'm really not looking forward to Free Courts.
ReplyDeleteIt is not surprising, given these and previous comments, that magistrates are held in such poor regard.
ReplyDeleteAre they? By whom?
DeleteCriminals?
DeleteSince 2005 Michael Gove has been Shadow Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Secretary of State for Education and now Justice Minister. Is there some logic that says ministers can be experts in every department, regardless of the diversity in their employment history?
ReplyDeleteThere is already an online petition to have MG removed from his new position on the 38degrees site. Currently it has 148,929 signatures. Can't think why...
I can't see that any of the contributors above identify themselves as JP's Anon@10 May 22;19. My posting name does of course but then I'm not making any comment about Mr Gove one way or another. I prefer to wait to see what the evidence for his performance might be you see. Making assumptions is so dangerous...;-)
ReplyDeleteA journalist running justice....Has the MA ever voted no confidence in a Minister, like the teachers do ?
ReplyDeleteAs The Times points out today, Gove was an advocate of the return of hanging when he was a Times journalist in the late 1990s. Grayling did a Dr Beeching to the justice system, and Gove - judging by his failed attempts to destroy education - is set to continue in the same role.
ReplyDeleteMost politicians couldn't run a bus never mind anything else but that is just the way it is.
ReplyDeleteThe justice system as a whole could do with a good overhall and modernisation- maybe Gove will be the man to do it. He certainly won't be put off by vested interests.
Lest's just see how he gets on, after all whether we like it or not the tories are in for the next 5 years so we are going to have to put up with it come what may!!