Gordon Banks

Ochil & South Perthshire MP Gordon Banks today exposed confusion in the Conservative Party over its policy on the use of short sentences.

At today’s Prime Ministers Questions, Mr Banks asked the Prime Minister whether he agreed with his Justice Secretary, Ken Clarke, who wants to see a reduction in the number of short sentences or with his party north of the border who voted today to continue short sentences in Scotland.

Mr Banks said – “The Tories are all over the place on this issue and Ken Clarke’s comments must come as a major embarrassment for the Conservative Party in Scotland.”

“At least the SNP are clear on this issue – they favour the abolition of short sentences therefore keeping more criminals on Scotland’s streets.  No one knows what the Tories will do – in fact I don’t even think David Cameron knows his party’s position after his stumbling response to me today.” 

“Labour is the only party which is advocating sending people like wife-beaters and knife carriers to jail.  We need to send a strong message to criminals that their behaviour will not be tolerated and they will be sent to jail.  People who come to see me at surgeries have had enough of the SNP’s soft touch approach to crime and they feel that the option of a community sentence is a let off.”

“Issues over re-offending numbers are important but in my experience prison is seen as a last resort by the judiciary when fines, tagging and community sentences have all failed.”

“Removing the option of a prison sentence provides no comfort to many of my constituents.”