Way behind in the polls and battered after 13 years in power, there is more than a hint of party politics in the Conservative Government talking tough on crime.
If the latest proposals to block the release of dangerous criminals from prison are as important as Justice Secretary Dominic Raab today claims, questions must be asked about why they were not introduced much earlier.
Reforming the parole system to emphasise protection of the public over the rights of convicted prisoners would enjoy widespread support, which presumably is why the Tories are proposing it now.
