A Time for Ideology
The Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers rejects the claim by the Tory Government that the handling of the Coronavirus crisis is not a time for ideology. The way that the UK, as a society, reacts to this crisis is necessarily determined by ideology. Our members represent the most vulnerable people in society. Through their delay and inaction, the Tories have proven themselves unwilling or unable to deliver health and financial security for the people of the United Kingdom in this acute public health crisis which is occurring within the ongoing crises of capitalism. We will not accept this crisis being another ‘shock doctrine’ power grab in the interests of the wealthy elite but will remain vigilant in our scrutiny of any infringements of the legal rights of those we represent. Indeed, we will fight to extend those rights pursuant to a socialist critique.
The Tory regime has failed to take the steps necessary to protect the vulnerable in this crisis, including refugees, migrants, those in detention, precarious workers (such as the dependent self-employed and zero hours contract workers), the homeless, renters, and all those who are a few days, a week, or a month away from severe financial hardship. £330bn worth of loans, primarily to businesses, is insufficient and not appropriately targeted to address the crisis for ordinary people.
Socialist policies are required to deal with this crisis for the benefit of workers and all of society. ‘Essential’ workers are all the workers in the country, and they deserve substantial material support along with the vital financial injection that is required in the health sector after years of underfunding. We demand nothing less than the emergency measures announced to protect the income of workers in countries such as Finland, Denmark, and France.
Accordingly, an unconditional universal basic income is necessary without delay. This is already an overdue fundamental reform to social security. There should be an accompanying suspension of rents for the millions of renters in the country and a ban on evictions.
We support the demands of the Legal Sector Workers United branch of the United Voices of the World union in their open letter of 16 March 2020 to employers in the legal sector. Legal Aid lawyers and other workers in the sector should receive a guaranteed income in any shutdown along with the rest of the workforce. The Ministry of Justice should use this opportunity of emergency government financial support to reverse its cuts to legal aid and provide a proper platform for the restoration of the administration of justice in this country following years of cuts which have harmed the most vulnerable in society in their pursuit of justice.
We also demand the immediate suspension of all in-person hearings in all courts. Where hearings cannot take place via videolink or telephone, they should be adjourned until the conclusion of the outbreak.
The Lord Chief Justice’s announcement in the evening of 17 March 2020 that jury trials longer than 3 days will be adjourned does not go far enough. COVID-19 can be transmitted in minutes or seconds. It does not take 3 days. No defendant can be confident that 12 jurors locked in a small room together will feel comfortable taking the time required to properly consider a case. Any right-minded and socially conscious juror will wish to minimise their social contact with others. This gives rise to the likelihood that juries will not give cases their deliberations the time and attention they deserve. There is a serious risk of both wrongful convictions and wrongful acquittals.
This is a time to create a real sense of justice in the United Kingdom and it is clearer than ever that socialist policies are the answer to the urgent problems we face. The Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers stands in solidarity with all those fighting to achieve this vision during the Coronavirus crisis and the ongoing crises of capitalism at home and internationally.
