PM faces Labour revolt over plans to scrap jury trials

The Conservatives will force a Commons vote on Wednesday over Justice Secretary David Lammy's plan to replace many jury trials with judge-led 'swift courts', and Labour MP Karl Turner has said he will vote with the Tories.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing a potential Labour rebellion after Justice Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy proposed replacing many jury trials with judge-led 'swift courts'. Lammy says the change is aimed at reducing a large Crown Court backlog. The Conservatives have criticised the plans and are using an opposition day debate to force a Commons vote. Labour MP Karl Turner has said he will vote with the Conservatives despite the risk of losing the Labour whip. Key facts: - The proposals would remove the right to choose a jury trial for many "either way" offences, moving some cases to magistrates or to a judge sitting alone. - The Crown Court backlog is reported to be nearing 80,000 cases and has been projected to rise further in coming years. - The Conservatives have secured an opposition day debate and plan a formal vote in the House of Commons on Wednesday. - Labour MP Karl Turner, a former barrister, has publicly confirmed he will rebel and back the Tory motion. Summary: The planned Commons vote will test Labour discipline and the government's proposals to change how many criminal cases are tried. The next procedural step is the opposition day debate and formal vote in the House of Commons on Wednesday.