Diana Johnson, Labour MP for Hull North

Dear Editor,

Leconfield Lib Dem Denis Healy (Mail letters, 16 June) asks us not to “rubbish” Lib Dem policies on crime without reading them first. However, beyond slogans and spin he gives little factual detail about these policies.

Taken from Lib Dem policy statements, their Parliamentary voting record and their actions running Hull City Council, Lib Dem crime policies include:

• Supporting an end to mandatory life sentences for serious offences and replacing prison sentences of three months or under with ‘community sentences’.
• Supporting an end to jail sentences for drug possession and legalising the sale of cannabis.
• Opposing powers to close crack houses.
• Opposing powers to crack down on disorderly drinking while supporting legalising the sale of alcohol in pubs to 16-year olds.
• Opposing the retention of DNA records that have been vital in prosecuting sex offenders and other violent criminals.
• Opposing Anti-Social Behaviour Orders and powers, used by Humberside Police, to disperse anti-social gangs.
• Opposing the introduction Police Community Support Officers and Labour budgets that increased Police numbers.
• Opposing a national ID card scheme to help fight ID theft, terrorism and illegal immigration.
• Opposing powers needed to detain suspected terrorists.
• Opposed introducing Hull’s CCTV and failing to apply for Government funding for ‘talking CCTV’.

Mr Healy asks for a “sensible debate” about Lib Dem crime policies, but unless his party adopts some sensible policies he will continue to be out of his depth on law and order issues.

Yours sincerely,

Diana Johnson MP
Kingston upon Hull North