During a recent session of Justice Questions, Peter Bedford MP raised concerns about the role of quangos, specifically the Sentencing Council, in shaping policy without direct accountability to Parliament.
Peter's intervention came in response to an urgent question raised by the Shadow Justice Secretary, Robert Jenrick, about the potential for a ‘two-tier’ justice system following recent sentencing guidance from the Council.
Peter asked:
“Does the minister agree with me and many of my honourable friends that policy decision by unelected, non-departmental bodies like the sentencing council are eroding public confidence in our democratic institutions? And will the Minister commit to scrapping such bodies so that policy is always made by Ministers that are directly accountable to this House?”
Peter highlighted his deep concerns about the increasing role of quangos in policymaking, arguing that these bodies undermine public trust in the justice system and erode the principles of democratic accountability. He emphasised that policy-making decisions about matters of law and justice need to remain securely in the hands of elected ministers, who stand directly accountable before the people and Parliament.
Peter remains committed to pushing for the abolition of unelected bodies that, in his view, compromise the integrity of policymaking and the democratic process while costing the taxpayer billions of pounds a year.
