From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] HAGUE TO CALL FOR OVERHAUL OF SELF-DEFENCE LAWS 260354 APR 00 By Gavin Cordon, Whitehall Editor, PA News Tory leader William Hague was today calling for a radical overhaul of the laws on self defence in the wake of the Tony Martin case. He will say the murder conviction of the Norfolk farmer for shooting dead a burglar who broke into his home had "lit a touch paper" sparking an explosion of anger among millions of law-abiding people. And he will promise that under a Conservative government the law would be altered to create a "strong presumption" in favour of people who protect their homes and families from criminals. "The Tony Martin case lit a touch paper that has led to an explosion of anger among the millions of law-abiding British people who no longer feel the state is on their side," he will say in a local elections campaign speech to be delivered in Alcester, Warwickshire. "Politicians aren't doing their job if they don't listen and respond to the unprecedented public outcry which has greeted the murder conviction for this Norfolk farmer who was defending his home against burglars. "I understand that outcry and I share it." While he will insist that there is no place in a civilised society for vigilantes, he will also stress that the law had to meet the demands of "natural justice". "There is all the difference in the world between the career criminal who sets out deliberately to burgle a house and the terrified homeowner who acts to protect himself and his home," he will say. "Unless our laws reflect natural justice, then they fall into disrepute. The next Conservative government will overhaul the law with a strong presumption that, in future, the state will be on the side of people who protect their homes and their families against criminals." Mr Hague will also use his speech to reaffirm his promise to reverse what he has said would be a 2,500 fall in police numbers under Labour. He will also spell out other Tory policies on crime, including ending the automatic early release of prisoners on licence, extending the `two-strikes-and-you're out' regime to offences such as selling drugs to children and building more secure training centres. "What is the point of having a police service and prisons when three criminals, with 114 convictions between them, are allowed to wander about free to terrorise rural communities," he will say. "What has happened to our courts system when career burglars and muggers get a few dozen hours community service, or a couple of months in prison if they're unlucky, while people defending their homes against the very same criminals risk long prison sentences?" Labour immediately accused Mr Hague of "knee-jerk opportunism" to the Tony Martin case. A spokesman said: "He is trying to latch on to a well-publicised case but he has no coherent policy to offer." Liberal Democrat spokesman Simon Hughes accused the Tory leader of "ill-considered populism". "Any hint of what the Tories are suggesting - more people taking more of the law into their own hands - is not just foolish but almost certainly dangerous," he said. Nevertheless Mr Hague's speech underlines the extraordinary political impact of the Martin case. At the weekend, Government sources let it be known that they were planning to make more resources available for policing isolated rural areas in Chancellor Gordon Brown's July comprehensive spending review. Officials were quoted as saying that the case had a "strongly political dimension". Shadow home secretary Ann Widdecombe meanwhile sparked controversy by suggesting it was "unacceptable" for householders to face prosecution for "hitting a burglar over the head". The Tory leader was today visiting Solihull in the West Midlands, Alcester, Warwicks and Witney near Oxford ahead of polling on May 4. He was beginning the day at Shirley Shopping Centre near Solihull with local Tory candidates before visiting shops and talking to shoppers. He was then meeting two businessmen to discuss Government proposals to introduce a controversial car parking tax for the West Midlands. Later, Mr Hague was travelling to Alcester Town Hall to address a public meeting on the countryside. He was expected to focus on the "crisis" in agriculture, rural policing, and post-office closures in his speech. Mr Hague will finish the day with a visit to Witney near Oxford where he will meet candidates and activists. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The First Law of Political Leadership - Find out where the people want to go, then hustle yourself around in front of them. James J. Kilpatrick Also expressed by Hague himself as ~ follow the moans. Kenneth Pantling Whatever happens they have got The Maxim Gun, and we have not. -------[Cybershooters contacts]-------- Editor: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Website & subscription info: www.cybershooters.org
