Howard: Tories won’t turn ‘blind eye’ to yobs
Conservative Leader Michael Howard has outlined his party’s plans to tackle Britain’s rising ‘yob’ culture.
Recruiting more police and giving local councils more power to refuse late-night drinking licences are part of a five-point plan launched today, as the Conservatives promise to get a grip on late-night drinking.
An end to “all you can drink” promotions, new council powers to tackle late-night drinking hotspots and giving local communities a greater say in licensing decisions complete the Tory proposals.
The vast majority of ‘yob’ culture was fuelled by alcohol, said Mr Howard. While he was “all in favour of people having a good time”, this was only acceptable providing it did not turn into somebody else’s “nightmare”.
“A Conservative Government won’t turn a blind eye when yobs bend or break the rules,” he said.
The Conservative leader added that the party would “make yobs fear the police,” and by “putting fear into the hearts of yobs,” law-abiding citizens would be given hope.
Shadow Home Secretary David Davis criticised the licensing guidance issued by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, arguing that the presumption that late licences should be granted “defies common sense”.
Mr Davis said that under the current system it was difficult for local councillors to object to licences, and yet councils were made to grant licences if there were no local objections.
The Conservatives would allow councils to refuse applications when there were no objections, and laws would also be changed to allow councillors to consider applications from their own wards.
