If you think Reform UK are the hard-men of law and order, think again. Behind the tough-guy act is a soft-touch scam that would be funny — if it weren’t so dangerous.
They talk a big game. They shout about cracking down on crime. But their prison plan? It’s a disaster waiting to happen. It’s chaotic, uncosted, and would leave the public less safe, not more.
Let’s start with their big idea: slap new prisons on Ministry of Defence land. Sounds macho, right? But where exactly? On firing ranges? Next to soldiers’ housing? They haven’t got a clue.
And even if they could find the land – who’s going to run the place? Reform have no plan to recruit prison officers. That means officers dragged from across the country on detached duty, costing taxpayers millions in hotel rooms, meals, and travel. The public pay more – and criminals sit cosy.
But here’s where it gets truly unhinged: Reform want to ship 10,000 British prisoners overseas. That’s not a policy – it’s a punchline.
When Labour was in opposition we scrutinised this and the questions were endless – and none of them have answers. Who runs the prison – our staff or a foreign government? Who decides which prisoners get sent? What if crimes are committed inside these overseas prisons – who investigates? Who’s accountable?
And how do you even justify the cost? Because let’s be clear – this is a phenomenally expensive idea. The last time a scheme like this was tried, it was on a tiny scale and still failed. Reform want to scale that failure by 10,000.
It’s policy by fantasy – and criminals are the ones cashing in.
Meanwhile, the Labour government is actually doing the work. We’ve already brought in changes to deport foreign national offenders before the end of their sentence – up to 18 months before the end to be precise.
And while Reform are playing fantasy politics, real problems in our prisons are being ignored.
Our prison officers – brave, stretched, and under constant threat – are being abandoned. Violence, trauma, no support. Not a single word from Reform about how they’d protect the people holding the system together.
And then there’s re-offending. After 14 years of Tory failure, our prisons have become colleges of crime. Robbery and theft re-offending rates are over 80%. If you’re not fixing that, you’re not serious about crime.
Reform say they’re tough. But criminals would love their plans. No investment. No staff. No scrutiny. Just chaos, and confusion dressed up as policy.
Reform’s prison plan isn’t just weak – it’s a gift to the very people they claim to be tough on.
You want real justice? You want safer streets? You want a system that actually works? Then don’t fall for Reform’s con.
They’re not cracking down on criminals – they’re waving them out the door.
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The post Ben Goldsborough: ‘Reform’s prison plan is a sick joke – and criminals are the ones laughing’ appeared first on Politics.co.uk.
