Shabana Mahmood: lord chancellor with political nous unafraid to shake up system
Briefly

Shabana Mahmood's political journey began in her family's Birmingham home in the 90s, where her insights impressed seasoned Labour politicians. Recently, as lord chancellor, she challenged the Sentencing Council's advice to consider an offender's ethnicity or faith in jail decisions, emphasizing her commitment to equality before the law. This move is seen as undermining her political opponent's claims of two-tier policing. However, her criticisms have drawn backlash from influential figures who argue she misinterprets the Council's guidelines and risks undermining judicial independence.
Shabana Mahmood’s insight and political acumen were evident even as a child, influencing Labour party strategies during discussions at her family home.
As lord chancellor, Mahmood's recent actions demand accountability from the Sentencing Council and challenge the credibility of the argument for differential treatment in sentencing.
Mahmood plans to legislate against perceived injustice in sentencing based on ethnicity, stating that differential treatment before the law is unacceptable.
Critics argue that Mahmood’s actions can jeopardize judicial independence, sparking backlash from senior black lawyers regarding her interpretation of sentencing guidelines.
Read at www.theguardian.com
[
|
]