Legislation backlog as Blair prepares election call
The Government is expected to drop two major crime policies tomorrow in a bid to rush through more pressing bills ahead of the start of election campaigning proper.
Bills on ID cards and laws to make incitement to religious hatred a criminal offence might be put on the backburner to make way for the Serious and Organised Crime Bill – to which they are attached – before Parliament is dissolved.
Tony Blair is expected to ask the Queen to dissolve Parliament this week ahead of a plebiscite on May 5.
Meanwhile, Charles Clarke, Home Secretary, told The Observer today he was at a loss as to why the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats were opposed to ID cards and laws against religious incitement.
Should opposition parties block the legislation this week, Mr Clarke vowed to reintroduce ID cards if Labour is re-elected.
