Conservatives force vote to stop the early release of sex offenders
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Conservatives to force a vote to strip rapists, paedophiles, and
grooming gang members of any right to automatic early release under
Labour's Sentencing Act. Labour have freed over 60,000 prisoners
early but are now set to release sex offenders early too. The
choice for MPs could not be clearer: let sex offenders out early or
keep the most dangerous criminals behind bars. The Conservative
Party knows which option we back. Today [Tuesday 7th July
2026], the...Request free trial
Today [Tuesday 7th July 2026], the Conservative Party is using our Opposition Day Debate to force a vote on stopping the early release of sex offenders. Labour are letting convicted rapists, paedophiles, and grooming gang members out of prison early. Sex offenders, including rapists and the evil rape gang perpetrators, should remain behind bars where they belong, but Labour want to let them back on the street. To make matters worse, many victims have not been properly informed about the release of their abusers. The Conservatives warned this would happen when we opposed Labour's Sentencing Act. Labour did not listen. Conservatives tabled an amendment to the original Sentencing Bill when it was in Parliament to exempt rapists, paedophiles, and other serious offenders from automatic early release. The Liberal Democrats voted for the exemption in the Commons, where it was bound to fail, then voted with the Labour Government against the exemption in the Lords, where there otherwise could have been the numbers to win the vote and make the amendment part of the Bill. Labour have already released over 60,000 criminals early, under their SDS40 scheme. The Government's often cited reason for these early releases has been prison capacity, however, in tandem Labour have reduced prison places by over 450 in the last year. The Conservatives are using our Opposition Day Debate to draw a line. The motion before Parliament would deny rapists, paedophiles, and the grooming gang members who preyed on children any right to automatic early release. Even Labour's own Prime Minister-in-waiting is not with the Government on this. Andy Burnham, the frontrunner to replace Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street, has indicated he would keep sex offenders behind bars, leaving Labour MPs isolated within their own party. Ahead of the debate, the Conservative Party has launched a petition at DontFreeRapists.com calling on the Government to think again. The choice for MPs could not be clearer: let rapists out early or keep the most dangerous criminals behind bars. The Conservative Party knows which option we back. Kemi Badenoch MP, Leader of the Conservative Party said: It is frankly disgusting that convicted rapists, paedophiles and grooming gangs are being let out early by Labour. We warned the government their Sentencing Bill would do this, but they didn't listen. Now even Andy Burnham is saying he wants to change the law, so groomers and rapists aren't eligible for early release. If Labour MPs want to show they understand the fury that many people feel about this situation, they should vote for the Conservative Party's motion and keep vile sex offenders behind bars. Nick Timothy MP, Shadow Justice Secretary, said: Sex offenders like members of the evil rape gangs should remain behind bars. But Labour are letting them back onto the street. This is a betrayal of victims, many of whom have not been properly informed about the release of those who committed horrific crimes against them. Prison works by punishing, by deterring and by keeping dangerous criminals away from the public. Serious violent and sexual offenders must be banned from being let out under Labour's disastrous early release scheme. Dr Kieran Mullan MP, Shadow Justice Minister, said: Labour promised each and every victim of the most serious offences that their preparator wouldn't get out early, and yet the changes they have made will betray those promises. When it counted, the Liberal Democrats had the votes to stop the early release of rapists and chose to side with the Government instead. We are giving them a second chance. The Conservatives will vote to keep rapists, paedophiles and grooming gang members locked up where they belong. Labour and the Liberal Democrats now must decide whose side they are on. ENDS Notes to Editors: Conservatives to force a vote to strip rapists, paedophiles and grooming gang members of any right to automatic early release under Labour's Sentencing Act: That this House calls on the Government immediately to exempt from automatic early release under the provisions of the Sentencing Act 2026 any offender who has been convicted of any sexual offence against an adult or a child, including rape and grooming, or convicted of the attempt, conspiracy, or incitement to commit such offences, and calls on the Government to bring forward legislation to achieve this change immediately, and condemns the Liberal Democrats for failing to vote to support the Conservative amendment to the Sentencing Act 2026 that would have secured these exemptions, and others, in Another Place.
Labour are letting down victims by letting dangerous criminals out early:
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