The Government’s ‘Grand Plan’ – to be realised on Wednesday 9 May – sees the Home Office function redirected to focus solely on crime, terrorism, security issues and immigration. An all-new Ministry of Justice takes on the responsibilities of the Department for Constitutional Affairs and for prisons, probation and matters of criminal justice.
Blair believes this split will enable “flexible and effective responses to different types of crime” while the Ministry of Justice ensures that “once a suspect has been charged, their journey through the Courts – and, if necessary, the prison and probationary systems – can be managed seamlessly.”
Not surprisingly, Lord Falconer – who becomes the first Secretary of State for Justice by dint of Blair and Reid’s strategy – feels the idea “makes sense” because it “ensures we have a justice system that works for the public, punishes the guilty and offers a realistic prospect of rehabilitation for the contrite.” From 9 May, Lord Falconer takes charge of issues including voting, Human Rights and Freedom of Information.
The Association of Chief Police Officers has also offered tacit approval for the Government’s decision – President Ken Jones’ major provisos being that the two Government departments work in harmony and that “operational day-to-day policing is not distracted” in any way, shape or form.
However, political Think Tank Demos and Shadow Home Secretary David Davis (‘Double-talk will hit security’) harbour a very different view of the world.
“John Reid has failed to secure a new Cabinet post for national security, and will not be given control of the overall anti-terror budget,” retorts Davis. “He will not be able to drive the counter terror effort every hour of every day.”
Charlie Edwards – Demos’ leading security researcher – is even more scathing. “Managing national security without a strategy is like running an orchestra without a musical score. It’s a recipe for an ill-co-ordinated and out of tune response.”
The country already risks being overwhelmed by the threat of terrorism, domestic unrest and the drugs trade because of a fragmented and piecemeal approach to security. Be prepared for further departmental infighting, mixed political messages and resource duplication. So what else is new?