A significant rebellion is erupting within the Labour Party over government plans to abolish jury trials for a wide range of crimes, with a senior MP declaring he is "ashamed" of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Rebel MP launches scathing attack on leadership
Karl Turner, the Labour MP for Hull East and a practising barrister, is leading the revolt against Justice Secretary David Lammy's proposals. In a remarkable outburst, Mr Turner told Sky News he was "ashamed" of Sir Keir Starmer, a former Director of Public Prosecutions and King's Counsel.
He also described Mr Lammy's approach as "lazy" and warned that he and other disaffected MPs could quit the Commons, triggering by-elections, if the party leadership attempts to bully them into submission. Mr Turner claimed at least 60 Labour colleagues are willing to rebel, a number he said provides "security" for others to join.
Government escalates plans for judge-only trials
The controversy intensified on Thursday 15 January 2026 when courts minister Sarah Sackman confirmed the reforms could be applied retrospectively to defendants already awaiting trial, provided a trial date has not yet been set. This marks a major shift from earlier assurances by Mr Lammy that the measures would not be backdated.
The proposed legislation would see almost all crimes carrying a maximum sentence of up to three years tried by a single judge instead of a jury. The government argues this is necessary to tackle the severe backlog in the crown courts, exemplified by the situation at Snaresbrook Crown Court in northeast London, which has the largest caseload in the country.
Ms Sackman defended the policy, stating it is "robust" and used in countries like Canada, expressing full confidence in judges to run the new system. She definitively rejected a compromise model involving a judge and two magistrates.
Legal profession warns of fundamental breach
The move has drawn fierce criticism from the legal establishment. The Bar Council has warned that applying the law retrospectively could breach the fundamental legal principle of "lex mitior" and may face a legal challenge.
Simon Spence KC of the Criminal Bar Association said over 85% of barristers surveyed opposed reducing jury trials and refused to rule out strike action. Meanwhile, recently retired senior circuit judge Christopher Kinch KC criticised the plan, arguing that judges already have sufficient power and that handing a case to a jury of the public remains a vital part of British justice.
The rebellion underscores a deep rift within the Labour Party, with backbenchers furious that such a significant constitutional change was not included in their election manifesto and has been "sprung on us like a rabbit from a hat." The government now faces a critical battle to pass its flagship justice reforms amidst growing internal and external opposition.
