Rishi Sunak faces potential revolt from within his own party over new legislation. (document)
London:
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faces potential opposition within his party over new legislation that would criminalize homelessness and give police powers to crack down on rough sleepers in the country.
Several Conservative MPs have warned they will vote against measures in the Criminal Justice Bill, which is currently before the House of Commons and will become law ahead of a general election expected later this year, The Times reported on Monday.
The proposals, unveiled by former Indian-origin home secretary Suella Braverman, would mean rough sleepers in England and Wales could be fined up to £2,500 or face jail time.
Conservative MP Bob Blackman said: “Many colleagues believe the current bill is completely unacceptable because it would criminalize people who have no choice but to sleep rough. We urge ministers Reconsider.” He is also joint secretary of the powerful Conservative backbench 1922 Committee.
Tory MPs including former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith and former deputy prime minister Damian Green signed the amendment removing the new police powers. Green said he supports Blackman’s amendment because it represents “a practical way to help get people off the streets” without criminalizing them.
The newspaper quoted an unnamed Conservative MP as saying: “People are not homeless because they want to be homeless. These schemes are worse than the vagrancy laws first introduced after the Napoleonic Wars, which should be replace.”
The Criminal Justice Bill aims to give the Conservatives a tough crackdown on crime as they prepare for a tough general election, but the ruling party’s chances of victory are slim due to strong anti-incumbency sentiment.
Proposals in the legislation include expanding police powers to drug-test suspects when arresting them and to enter premises to search for stolen goods such as mobile phones. It also gives probation officers the power to conduct polygraph tests on sex offenders and terrorists after they are released from prison, and increases the length of sentences for certain crimes.
However, ministers fear the bill will be overshadowed by controversies such as the homelessness debate.
“This is just part of what we want to do to make sure people are not sleeping on the streets, which is not right, and we want to provide people with resources, housing and increase the number of people who can take refuge.” Business Secretary Kevin Hollingley Kevin Hollinrake said: “We’ve achieved a good night’s sleep, as well as the number of social and affordable homes. “
Polly Neate, chief executive of homeless charity Shelter, stressed the legislation was unfair.
“Instead of punishing people for being homeless, politicians should work to stop them living on the streets. Everyone at risk of rough sleeping should have the right to suitable emergency accommodation and to end homelessness for good, this must Invest in truly affordable facilities – we need 90,000 of them a year,” she said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
