In a speech given on Monday, , Shadow Lord Chancellor
will vow to reinstate the rule of law which has been eroded by 14
years of Conservative Government.
Addressing the Law Society, Bar Council and other professionals
from the justice sector, she will condemn the Tory record and say
that “justice must be a reality, not just an ideal”.
The Shadow Justice Secretary, who was a practising barrister
until becoming an MP in 2010, will underline the importance of
the rule of law to herself, Labour leader Keir Starmer, and to
Labour party history and values. She will say that “the link
between Labour and the law is forged in steel” because it is
central to equality and fair treatment for all.”
While accusing successive Conservative Lord Chancellors of
“failing to fulfil their historic duty”, she will promise that
she will “never allow any government I am part of to ignore the
law or blame the judiciary for simply doing their job.”
Mahmood is set to note the lack of trust in the criminal justice
system, and will pledge to repair the damage done under the watch
of the Conservatives. She will criticise the current government's
track record, including the closure of courts in England and
Wales, changes to legal aid in 2012, and the increasing backlog
in courts, which was worsened by the COVID pandemic, leaving
victims in the lurch.
She will slam the current government for believing they are above
the law, including the “absurd and grotesque spectacle” of the
Rwanda legislation, the recent overruling of the Supreme Court's
decision on the safety of Rwanda, as well as the unprecedented
committing of a crime while in office by Boris Johnson and his
“co-conspirator” Sunak.
Mahmood will set out that “no-one is above the law - including
the government - and none are below it either”.
The Shadow Justice Secretary will argue that too many people are
being failed by the justice system, especially women.
She will reaffirm the Labour mission to cut violence
against women and girls (VAWG). She is expected to say:
“With a Labour government, victims of rape will receive
state-funded legal advice and representation. Today, the law
treats rape victims as essentially no different from any other
witness– and so fails to protect them at their greatest hour of
need.
“With our plans, there will be a free legal advocate at hand in
every police force area in England and Wales.
“There will be a local solicitor with experience acting for
vulnerable people, trained on the specific challenges of rape
cases. They will ensure that victims' rights are respected.”
Shadow Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood is set to
conclude:
“If the rule of law is to thrive, it must change with a changing
world. We must show that justice can follow an injustice.
“We must prove that this abstract ideal can become reality. And
we must never give up on the pursuit of a better justice system.
“The law is alive. It must serve society, with no government and
no individual above it, and none below it, not least those who
are most often failed by it today. Justice must be a reality, not
just an ideal.”
