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UK: Labour MPs in cannabis shift

The BBC

Thursday 19 Jul 2001

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Labour MPs are turning against their government's opposition to the
legalisation of cannabis, a poll carried out by the BBC suggests.

The overwhelming majority of 116 Labour MPs taking part in a poll for the
BBC World at One programme supported a substantial inquiry into the drug,
such as a royal commission.

And almost 30% indicated that they were in favour of decriminalising the
drug immediately.

It prompted one Labour member of the influential Commons home affairs
select committee to predict cannabis would be decriminalised by the end of
this parliament.

Only recently Home Secretary David Blunkett called for an "adult debate" on
cannabis law reform, which some took as a signal that government attitudes
were shifting.

Poll details

The survey, carried out by the BBC's political research unit, showed that
32 of the 116 Labour MPs would vote in favour of decriminalising the use
and supply of cannabis.

Another 45 said their vote would depend on the outcome of a royal commission.

Setting up such an inquiry was supported by a total of 95 MPs, with 20
against.

Of the 234 Labour MPs who were asked their answers to the survey's
questions, 116 gave answers and the other 118 refused to comment.

David Winnick - a member of the home affairs select committee which is
rumoured to be considering its own inquiry into the drug - told World at
One: "I would have thought cannabis at least would be decriminalised by the
next election, and would I not be right in saying to a large extent it is?

"What is required is courage from the government to recognise what is
happening and a sensible attitude from the main opposition party, not
playing politics with it."

Drug report

Dame Ruth Runciman, whose report for the Police Foundation last year called
for cannabis to be downgraded to Class C status, said the survey results
reflected "considerable unease" about the UK's drug laws.

"It looks as though Labour MPs are beginning to be sensitive to the
constituency for some degree of change that there seems to be out there,"
she said.

The poll could provide a boost to Jon Owen Jones, a one-time Welsh Health
Minister who presented a private members' bill to decriminalise cannabis to
the Commons on Wednesday.

The Cardiff Central MP has admitted he smoked the drug several times while
at university and he believes in a "radical solution" to the issue of
cannabis.

Pressure is growing from elsewhere too. Conservative MP and former cabinet
minister Peter Lilley recently surprised his party colleagues by calling
for cannabis to be legalised and sold through special off-licence style
high street stores.

Two former home secretaries, Liberal Democrat Lord Jenkins of Hillhead and
Tory Lord (Kenneth) Baker of Dorking, also back decriminalisation.

But, despite Mr Blunkett's recent comments, a shift in ministers' firm
opposition to changing the law is unlikely in the near future.

A royal commission has been ruled out for the moment and a Home Office
spokesman said: "The government's position is clear. We have no plans to
legalise any currently controlled substance."

 

 

 

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