Tories slam Lib Dem drug policy
The Conservatives have launched a scathing attack on the Liberal Democrats’ drugs policy after the party’s European leader called for the legalisation of all drugs.
Chris Davies, leader of the Lib Dems in the European parliament, called for a radical rethink of Britain’s drug laws, arguing that with drug use increasing, it is obvious that the current policy is not working.
Mr Davies insisted he was speaking only from personal opinion but the Tories have seized upon his comments as another example of how the Lib Dems were “soft on drugs”.
Speaking on BBC Radio Four’s PM last night, Mr Davies said tough debate and tough decisions were needed to try to improve the drugs problems in Britain and the rest of Europe.
“I am saying that it is time for a rethink of existing policies which are clearly taking us nowhere, not reducing crime and not reducing drug use,” he said.
“It leaves the distribution of drugs, which is a £16 billion market, according to latest figures, simply in the hands of the drug barons. That cannot be a sensible policy.
“We should instead be looking for a regime of licensing and regulation as a better means of cutting crime, reducing harm and saving lives.”
Mr Davies said he was “not for one second” advocating Lib Dem policy but said he was indulging in a bit of “freethinking” on an issue that was being reconsidered across Europe.
“Politicians are afraid to put their heads above the parapets because they are immediately likely to be shot down simply for saying we need to be looking at the policy options,” he continued.
“What I say is that there is a danger of giving the wrong signals here; the idea that drugs are somehow safe. I do not believe that. What I say is that existing policy is not working and governments cannot simply derogate responsibility to the criminal market.”
However, Conservative home affairs spokeswoman Cheryl Gillian noted that while Mr Davies said his comments were not party policy, the Lib Dems did advocate the reclassifying of ecstasy from class A to class B, and of cannabis to class C.
“Despite all the evidence that drug addiction and crime are inextricably linked, the Liberal Democrats would dramatically soften our drug laws – making hard drugs more, rather than less, available,” she said, calling this policy “extremely irresponsible”.
“They ignore the valuable work done by scientists such as professor Robin Murray of the Institute of Psychiatry, who has demonstrated the link between cannabis and schizophrenia in young people.
“And they hold us back in the fight against the drugs which ruin the lives of so many in Britain today.”
