4 February 2005
Howard: People deserve to feel safe in their own homes
"All my political life I have stood up for the decent law abiding majority.
The people who work hard, pay their dues and play by the rules - the people who have been forgotten by Mr Blair.
If I am given the opportunity to serve my country, I will make sure that at long last their rights come first.
I will put the rights of the homeowner first so that families sleep easy at night.
I believe the law should protect them - not the burglar.
Two years ago the Government very sensibly changed the law to stop burglars suing householders unless the force used was "grossly disproportionate".
Today, Conservative MP Patrick Mercer introduced a Bill to allow homeowners to defend themselves if a burglar breaks into their home - unless, to use the Government's own words, the force used was "grossly disproportionate".
But Labour failed to support us - so much for Mr Blair's promise to be "tough on crime".
It's yet another sign of how he has forgotten and lost touch with the majority of people in Britain.
They know that burglary is a serious crime.
It destroys people's peace of mind.
Once you've been the victim of burglary you feel violated - because your home is the centre of your life.
And you lose precious possessions - presents given to you by loved ones, members of your family who have since passed away. I know. I have been burgled myself.
People deserve to feel safe in their own homes.
At the next election people will face a clear choice: a Conservative government that actually puts the rights of homeowners first, or Mr Blair - who after eight years in power and just weeks before a general election - is still only talking about it."
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Rt
Hon
Michael Howard QC MP |
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