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20 November 2009

In praise of the Tories

They are right on police

By James Macintyre

According to my (many) online critics, the headline above is one you might not expect. But in the wake of the latest row between the police and the Conservative Party over the latter’s plan to put the former under the control of directly elected local commissioners, it must be said that the Tories are on the right side of the argument.

The police are the last closed shop in Britain today. Unaccountability is the main problem, which leads to terrible injustice. Politicians from both Labour and the Tories have avoided reform for far too long. That the police are up in arms over supposed “politicisation” is a good sign. The opposition’s plan for change may be overdue, but it is welcome.

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Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday. The best way to sign up for The Saturday Read is via saturdayread.substack.com The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. The best way to sign up for Morning Call is via morningcall.substack.com Our Thursday ideas newsletter, delving into philosophy, criticism, and intellectual history. The best way to sign up for The Salvo is via thesalvo.substack.com Stay up to date with NS events, subscription offers & updates. Weekly analysis of the shift to a new economy from the New Statesman's Spotlight on Policy team. The best way to sign up for The Green Transition is via spotlightonpolicy.substack.com
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