Graham Colley opposes the part of the Criminal Justice Bill, which would give police the power to fine or move “nuisance” rough sleepers.

Graham Colley opposes the part of the Criminal Justice Bill, which would give police the power to fine or move ‘nuisance’ rough sleepers. 

Graham Colley, the Liberal Democrats’ candidate for Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent, commenting on a report in the Independent, joins those who fight the Criminal Justice Bill, which would give police the power to fine or move “nuisance” rough sleepers. (Mitchell, 2024)

Graham Colley says  “Rough sleeping is not a lifestyle choice. It happens because rough sleepers have run out of all other accommodation options. 

Often, they have mental health and addiction issues. Some are even ex-Armed Forces. We should be compassionate and not threatening to those who are rough sleeping and be grateful to those in Society who have the social responsibility to assist them.”

“The idea that you can ‘fine’ someone for rough sleeping, when they do not even have enough money to pay for bed for a night, just shows how out of touch the Prime Minister is with the governed. 

Graham Colley joins with fellow Liberal Democrats who have “urged the government to listen to backbenchers unhappy with the bill, emphasizing the need for compassion and effective support measures to prevent rough sleeping”. (Sheldrick , 2024)

Graham Colley said that this is consistent with Liberal philosophy, which believes that, ‘The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, and in which no-one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity.’ Preamble (Liberal Democrats, 2021)

“Care for rough sleepers should be a social cost (as well as the social concern), which if properly funded, would be considerably less than the law enforcement cost of using the police.

The police will always be there if there is an emergency or if the authority of the law is needed. It is not their job to deal with social issues of rough sleepers”. 

References

Liberal Democrats. (2021, 12). Preamble to the Liberal Democrat Constitution. Retrieved from www.libdems.org.uk/constitution
Mitchell, A. (2024, 04 01). Rishi Sunak facing Tory revolt over plan to criminalise rough sleeping. Retrieved from The Independent: www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/rishi-sunak-facing-tory-revolt-over-plan-to-criminalise-rough-sleeping/ar-BB1kRXKB

Sheldrick , T. (2024, 04 01). Government facing revolt over plan to criminalise rough sleeping. Retrieved from ITV News: www.itv.com/news/2024-04-01/government-facing-revolt-over-plan-to-criminalise-rough-sleeping