Labour can break the cycle of prisoners being freed only to offend again

There is an undeniable truth that too few in power will admit: If released offenders commit fresh crimes, prisons are failing the law-abiding majority.

Until now, successive governments have failed in their basic duty to keep us as safe as possible from such recidivists.

But now there is a glimmer of hope that this Labour Government might finally break the cycle of offence, jail, offence, jail.

One single statistic from prisons minister James Timpson makes the case for change – that 80% of crimes are committed by someone who had offended before.

Timpson, appointed a Labour peer by Keir Starmer and named Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, is doing the right thing by trying a new approach. We all have a vested interest in him succeeding.

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Danger Donny

US President-elect Donald Trump is a loose cannon who is a danger to allies and democracies around the world, as Ukrainians know more than most.

It is sensible of the UK Government to war-game scenarios involving an unpredictable, hazardous US Commander-in-Chief.

But the fact that it needs to carry out such exercises shows why Trump in the White House is bad for Britain and friendly nations.

Ukraine’s invader Vladimir Putin has the most to gain from Trump threatening to halt US weapon supplies to Volodymyr Zelensky.

So Britain must more than ever fight Ukraine’s corner, offering steadfast support.

Liberty’s price

As always it was the humbling dignity of veterans, remembering their comrades who did not grow old, that defined Remembrance Sunday yesterday.

Today we mark Armistice Day itself, the moment at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the First World War’s roaring guns finally fell silent.

We honour all those who fought and died so that we might live free.

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