Today at the Labour Party Conference, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper MP delivered a speech signalling Labour’s intent to reclaim the mantle of law and order. In a series of ambitious pledges, Cooper addressed knife crime, violence against women, and the deepening crisis of public safety.
Halving Knife Crime in 10 Years
At the forefront of Cooper’s promises was Labour’s commitment to halving knife crime within a decade. Knife crime continues to significantly affect communities, leaving families and entire neighbourhoods traumatised. Labour’s plan includes setting up youth hubs, boosting police enforcement on the streets, and cracking down on the online sale of dangerous knives. While this pledge is measurable, the speech did not set out the exact parameters for progress or how success will be measured.
A decade is a long timeframe, but with knife crime already at concerning levels, progress needs to be evident in the early years. If there’s no visible reduction, the public may lose faith in Labour’s approach. Much of this will hinge on funding and consistent investment in community services, which have been historically under-resourced.
Ronan’s Law: A Ban on Lethal Weapons
Named after Ronan Kanda, who was murdered with a ninja sword in Wolverhampton, Ronan’s Law proposes a ban on the possession of lethal weapons such as swords and other dangerous blades. This law aims to close gaps in current regulations and crack down on online weapons sales.
While this move has been welcomed by many, legislation alone is rarely enough to solve the problem. Success will depend on robust enforcement and public awareness campaigns to stop the circulation of these weapons in the first place. The real challenge for Labour will be ensuring that Ronan’s Law is more than a symbolic gesture, backed up by practical, on-the-ground action.
Riot Response and Social Unrest
The speech referenced the aftermath of riots, most notably the recent tragedy in Southport, where three young girls were killed in a knife attack. Cooper pointed to the community efforts that followed, with residents reclaiming the streets in a bid to restore safety and hope. She was clear that these riots were the result of ‘arson, thuggery, racism…’, not policing failures, and made the case for tougher enforcement.
However, addressing social unrest requires more than policing alone. Cooper acknowledged that rebuilding communities and preventing future riots will need a balance of enforcement and social intervention. Yet, the question remains: will Labour be able to strike this balance effectively, or will a focus on enforcement alienate the very communities they aim to protect?
Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls
Another measurable pledge made by Labour: halve violence against women and girls within the next decade.
Framing violence against women and girls as a national emergency, Cooper pledged to halve such crimes within the next decade. In light of the horrific Southport murders, this commitment has never felt more urgent. The plan involves preventative measures, stronger law enforcement, and support services to protect vulnerable women and girls.
Immigration and Small Boats: The Unspoken Issue
One noticeable omission from Cooper’s speech was the issue of immigration, particularly the ongoing crisis of small boat crossings. While the speech focused heavily on law and order, Labour risks overlooking a topic that remains high on the public agenda.
For the Conservatives, immigration has been a central issue, and if Labour fails to articulate a clear policy on how to manage rising numbers of asylum seekers arriving via small boats, it could become a significant weakness
Final Thought: A New Narrative of Hope?
Echoed throughout Cooper’s pledge was a new narrative of hope – largely departing from the Labour government’s previous pessimism. She claimed, ‘the politics of hope is ours,’ with the central message highlighting that change is coming. Whilst Cooper repeatedly crafted on the ruins of the previous Conservative government, her focus was on practical, measurable changes, such as halving knife crime and violence against women, and introducing Ronan’s Law. These are grounded, tangible goals that will require Labour to demonstrate progress early on if they are to maintain credibility.
For more of Chamber UK’s analysis on law and order policy, click here.