Tony Blair today admitted the criminal justice system had “19th century methods, as if we still lived in the time of Dickens”, writes Clare Jerrom.
In his keynote speech to the Labour party conference in Brighton, the prime minister said he had been “battering” the system for eight years but that it wasn’t until antisocial behaviour legislation was introduced that a difference was made.
“The system itself is the problem,” Blair told delegates. “We are trying to fight 21st century crime – ASB, drug-dealing, binge drinking, organised crime – with 19th century methods as if we still lived in the time of Dickens.”
Blair said a new system was needed and pledged to publish plans by the end of the year to tackle binge-drinking, drug dealing and organised crime as well as developing existing laws on antisocial behaviour.
He added that young people needed places to go and the government would invest in youth services, increase competitive sport in schools, give teachers full disciplinary powers and identify problem families early in order to give them a single lead agency to affect change and impose sanctions.
The prime minister also reiterated that the government would next month be publishing proposals to reform benefits for the future.
