As is traditional, law and justice was a big theme at the Conservative party’s conference in Manchester this week. The first day saw the all-party parliamentary group on anti-social behaviour discuss problem-solving housing courts. Then a quick dash across the road to hear levelling-up secretary Michael Gove tell a Centre for Policy Studies event that the Renters (Reform) Bill should have its second reading ‘this autumn’.
The Institute for Government began day two asking if there was a Conservative case for constitutional reform. ‘Maximum bravery points for kicking off with constitutional reform at 8.30am,’ joshed John Penrose MP, a former constitutional reform minister.
A full house for The Spectator’s discussion on whether the Online Safety Bill is a threat to free speech. Obiter squeezed in at the back of the room to hear backbencher David Davis describe the ‘amazingly complex’ bill as ‘already obsolete’.
Then it was back to the Institute for Government to hear how regulators can promote growth and protect the public. Not only did the line-up include Solicitors Regulation Authority board chair Anna Bradley (pictured), the regulator ‘kindly supported’ the fringe event.
Bradley told the event it was inappropriate for regulators to be accountable to government individually. The SRA, she said, holds itself accountable to the legal profession to explain what it does with the money solicitors have to pay it. A few solicitors are wondering how much of their money was spent in support of this event.
Justice took centre stage on Tuesday afternoon, with Alex Chalk delivering his first podium speech as lord chancellor and justice secretary. He showed no sign of nerves – though Obiter did spot him decline a canapé at a Society of Conservative Lawyers lunchtime event. Surely, even in the week’s febrile political atmosphere, he wasn’t concerned about any Borgia-esque dirty tricks?
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