Labour 'fails on crime'

Hague and Widdecombe to launch attack on Labour

Politically-correct posturing has caused the Labour government to fail in its pledge to be "tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime", Tory leader William Hague will argue on Thursday.

Mr Hague is expected to put Labour's record on crime on trial during a tour of the West Midlands.

The Tory leader will argue that responsibility for rising crime figures goes right to the top, and he will accuse Prime Minster Tony Blair of failing on the issue.

At the heart of the problem, Mr Hague is expected to say, is Labour's "politically-correct posturing".

Speaking in West Bromwich, he will say: "Let me tell Mr Blair, I hold him responsible.

"He said he'd be 'tough on crime'. He traded on it and he has failed."

Only a Tory government would be tough on crime, he will argue, in what will be widely seen as an attempt to set out the Conservative's agenda for the next election.

Police numbers

Mr Hague's speech will also be seen as an attempt by the Tories to re-capture what many in the party see as their natural ground.

It is part of a concerted effort on the part of the shadow cabinet to claim the initiative on issues such as policing.

The Conservatives have pledged to increase police numbers up the levels of 1997 when they were last in power.

Among their initiatives are the "cops in shops" scheme which would see police officers on the beat using desks in local businesses.

Mr Hague also believes that the government has a "revolving door" approach to imprisonment, which he has contrasted with Tory plans to end automatic early release for prisoners, the special release scheme and the tagging of criminals.

The Tories' plans also include forcing prison inmates to do a full day's work, the development of employment skills, and making release dates for young offenders conditional on their meeting achievement targets.

'Criminal' record

The creation of a police cadet force would also encourage young people to join the profession, the Tories believe.

While Mr Hague meets police officers in West Bromwich, the shadow home secretary Ann Widdecombe is due to launch her own attack on the government's record, which she will brand "criminal".

Speaking in Preston in Lancashire, Miss Widdecombe is expected to say: "William Hague has vowed to go to war on criminals as never before.

"Labour will be judged on their actions. They have let Britain down - there is a criminal record."