Criminal Court Reform Debate

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Department: Ministry of Justice

Criminal Court Reform

Martin Vickers Excerpts
Tuesday 2nd December 2025

(1 day, 8 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Lammy Portrait Mr Lammy
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I am grateful for that question, and I will reflect on my hon. Friend’s point about evidence, but as I have said, I do not believe that a sunset clause would be right in this area because of the demand and the complexity to which Sir Brian has referred, and also because legislation will take some time. I hope to see the backlog reducing by the next election, but I do believe that these changes have to be permanent.

Martin Vickers Portrait Martin Vickers (Brigg and Immingham) (Con)
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Tony Blair’s Administration put forward similar proposals, but were eventually forced to abandon them, thanks to opposition in the House and beyond. A similar coalition of opposition appears to be building up yet again. On the reply that the Justice Secretary has just given, may I urge him to reconsider the sunset clause, which might be the only way that he can get these proposals through the House?