About Tougher Rape Sentences

Apparently the Labour Spin on the Conservative Party's policy decision about tougher rape sentences is that David Cameron is just trying to win back the women's vote; they are using the failure to support the minimum wage as the counter-argument.

Firstly, the vote the minimum wage was introduced a long time ago. Secondly, I am a bloke (trust me on this) and I think rape is a despicable crime and welcome any moves to toughen punishment. I am pretty sure I am not the only bloke who thinks so.

Don't let spin destroy IDS' great work

There is a great deal of rhetoric floating around about IDS observations on the impact of family breakdown on society. New Labour are spinning it as a return to back to basics and the gay lobby are suggesting it is discriminatory.

It is neither of these, it is a great peice of analysis which highlights solid facts to back up what Conservatives have known for a long time; society benefits when the traditional family is strong, and when families break down harm is done. It further highlights the total lack of incentive to get married and indeed highlights anomolies that make it financially beneficial for couples with children to separate.

If New Labour had truly embraced the "tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime" agenda instead of just hanging their hat on a slick slogan, they would have been focussing on this issue since 1997, recognising that family breakdown is one of the causes of crime. For that reason it is right that our system should recognise the benefits of marriage, including our tax system.