Thursday 5 June 2014

Will Cameron smell the coffee and dump Gove and May?

British Prime Minister David Cameron has reportedly asked for a full account of what has been said in an apparent row over allegations of extremism in schools, between Education Secretary Michael Gove and Home Secretary Theresa May.

Many people will of course comment that the current Conservative Party is out of sink with the struggles of ordinary people in making ends meet.  Two individuals on the Conservative side of the Con-Dem coalition who represent so many things distasteful are indeed Michael Gove and Theresa May.

From personal experience it is very difficult to find any teacher who has a good  word to say about the one time actor Mr Gove.  So many teachers in the state sector have been rubbed up the wrong way as Gove continues to be perceived to be imposing private sector values at the expense of public sector values.

Theresa May has been very much the face of Britain refusing to amend a controversial extradition treaty with the US.  The Conservative Party in Opposition were vehemently critical of the 2003 Extradition Act, which had been signed by Tony Blair's Labour Government.  This legislation has been perceived to be very one sided, with more British citizens being extradited to the US than vice versa.

The legislation had come into force with the intention of making it easier to deal with terrorists.  However this legislation has also seen British citizens extradited for alleged white collar crimes as well, and to a justice system in which around 98% of such cases are settled by plea bargains which see defendants plead guilty in return for lighter sentences.  Despite the noises made by the Conservatives (and Liberal Democrats) in Opposition, the latest white collar extradition to the US took place only a few weeks ago.

So is it possible Cameron could decide the best way forward is to simply rid his Government of these two undesirables?

Tuesday 3 June 2014

Hopefully the last lenient sentence for DOG RELATED DEATH!

Two women from Liverpool have been jailed for a year each for leaving their dog to get out of control and kill a retired neighbour, whilst they were away from the house at a barbecue.  The judge at Liverpool Crown Court did make reference to recent law changes which have now come into effect, which could now see owners of dogs who kill jailed for 14 years!

I commend the judge for effectively acknowledging that he was working within sentencing guidelines which most right minded people will now acknowledge to be unfit for purpose.  As the two women pleaded guilty before the changes came into force, this judge's hands were clearly tied.

This change in the law does quite rightly bring the maximum penalties for death by dangerous dogs in line with death by drink driving.  People who are stupid to drink and drive, of course deserve the full force of the law.  But the same now also needs to be true of those who cause death by dangerous dogs!

Leaving any dog alone without food for a sustained period of time, as happened in this particular case, is quite frankly asking for trouble.  On the evidence of this case, I would also state that some dog owners may lack a basic understanding of what is required to provide basic care for their dog.  HOPEFULLY TOUGHER SENTENCES WILL SEND THE CORRECT MESSAGE!