Sunak’s crime crackdown won’t pay off for the Tories

The Tories are pledging to reshape our homicide laws if they win re-election. There could, as in many US states, be first-degree murder for intentional killing, second-degree murder for manslaughter because of diminished responsibility or death arising from a deliberate wrong. Rishi Sunak is also promising to get tough on domestic abuse, with a minimum tariff for murder in the home. The crackdown will form a key part of the Conservative manifesto.

You can understand Sunak’s thinking. The hospital order imposed on Nottingham triple killer Valdo Colocane earlier this year after he admitted manslaughter owing to diminished responsibility raised eyebrows among those who looked to the Tories as defenders of law and order. A pre-emptive occupation of the domestic abuse high ground before Labour can move in and fortify it also makes good electoral sense. Unfortunately, the Tories’ offering is still likely to be seen as less a coruscating firecracker than a damp squib, something the government at this stage can ill afford.