'The Sun's' piece on crime today makes fascinating reading. It is a return to the 'Anarchy in the UK' sentiments expressed last August. David Cameron's tough response to the Summer gang warfare temporarily arrested the Tory poll slippage that had occurred at the height of the Brown honeymoon period and perhaps prevented Mr Brown from calling an election in late September/early October. Clearly, 'The Sun' is on to something here. Social disentegration, crime and anti-social behaviour are high up the public agenda. IDS's breakdown 'Britain Report', Cameron's speeches on the subject, combined with the development of policy in this area, give Conservatives real credibility on law and order. The tough part is transforming complex policy into simple language and ensuring that 'T'he Sun' and others are aware of what the Tories are actually proposing. This is an issue of real potency to the Conservative fight-back.
What is interesting is that there is a universal recognition ('Labour's flop pledges' in Sun lingo), that years of Labour initiatives and legislation on crime have made little head way. Even more bizarre is the fact that Labour seem to be retreating from the 'Respect Agenda' after implementing it with such a fanfare not so long ago. I can't imagine David Blunkett or John Reid are singing in their bath at the moment.
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