A small prize will be available to anyone who can explain to me why areas of extreme deprivation are currently known as ‘Super Output Areas’ (SOAs). I’m all for talking up areas positively but am having some difficulty identifying what exactly what it is that such areas put out so superbly.
About six years ago, in my first foray into one of the party’s policy mechanism, I sat on the party’s crime policy working group. I was very conscious that I knew less than everyone else in the room and hardly said anything at all. But one thing I do remember asking about was why, when there was such a problem with people seeking to defer their jury service because they had been called at a time inconvenient to them, the system didn’t allow people to volunteer to do their service at a time that *was* convenient to them. There were a few nodding heads saying they thought that was a good idea, but nothing more was ever heard of it.
Until a few weeks ago, when I read the draft of the crime and justice policy paper going to this spring’s party conference - Together We Can Cut Crime. The policy aims to make some improvements to the working of the justice system (it’s actually really good - do have a look at it) and I thought I would try submitting my suggestion as an amendment to it.