THE Home Secretary, Jack Straw, has announced tough new measures to combat burglars. After three convictions, they will face an automatic prison sentence.
I happen to support the new measures.
However, I think Mr Straw has a nerve to portray this as a Labour policy.
Just before the last government was voted out of office, Michael Howard, the then Home Secretary, announced the very same policy.
Mr Straw and the Labour opposition denounced the policy as draconian and against civil liberties.
Obviously, the Home Secretary has had a change of mind - as he is perfectly entitled to do. However, he should have the honesty to admit that he has adopted his predecessor's idea.
Perhaps with the record of this government over the last 20 months, I should not be so surprised.
Let's face it, telling the truth to the British public is certainly not one of their virtues.
M SANDWELL (Mr), Bridge Terrace, Whalley.
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