Straw rails against 'demon barber' Tories
Jack Straw says trusting reduction in public sector deficit to Tories is like asking Sweeney Todd for quick trim
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By Matthew Champion. |  |
Tuesday, 29, Sep 2009 12:35
By Matthew Champion.
Entrusting reducing the public sector deficit to the Conservatives is like asking Sweeney Todd for a quick trim, the justice secretary warned today.
Jack Straw said shadow chancellor George Osborne was poised with a "ghoulish enthusiasm" for swinging the butcher's knife.
In his speech to the Labour party conference in Brighton Mr Straw said drastic cuts to public services were in the Tories' "DNA".
"It's why they've made the wrong calls on all the big decisions throughout the recession," Mr Straw, one of the great survivors of the New Labour movement, said.
"And conference, believe me, people are starting to wake up to the Tory danger."
While he accepted that the next government would have to make "difficult decisions" in terms of public services, he did announce a £10.5 million National Victims Service.
The new scheme, detailed proposals for which will be unveiled later this year, will work in conjunction with the probation service to provide one-to-one care and support for victims of crime.
"Working with Victim Support, we will start with those bereaved victims whose lives have been torn apart by the murder of manslaughter of a loved one," he said.
"Over time the service will be available to everyone who has been a victim of crime, if they want more support we will be there for them.
Mr Straw added: "This is a pioneering idea; it's what Labour is about: Supporting those who need and most deserve our help."