Peter Cuthbertson: Howard was right that prison works – and we should honour his success

Incarcerating more criminals for longer has saved millions of people from becoming victims of crime.

Peter Cuthbertson: Labour’s prison policy is a threat to public safety

To halve the prison population, everyone sent to prison with up to fourteen previous offences would have to be given a non-custodial punishment.

Peter Cuthbertson: There was no alternative to Thatcherism – even the SDP would have wrecked our country

It was crucial not just to defy the far left – but also the moderate left and the establishment.

Peter Cuthbertson: Gove’s prisons revolution should increase their use

We still haven’t cracked effective rehabilitation either in the community or behind bars. If the Government makes the latter more effective, we’ll imprison more people.

Peter Cuthbertson: What we can learn from Miliband’s failure

A new account of Labour’s disastrous campaign provides fresh insights for Tory strategists on what we did right and where we can do better.

Cllr Peter Cuthbertson: The Right to Buy for housing association tenants will have very wide benefits

Any expansion in the supply of homes to buy helps all potential buyers.

Peter Cuthbertson: The council tax battle in Darlington

Is rising council tax an issue? It is if we make it one.

Peter Cuthbertson: Prison works – and Clegg is wrong to claim otherwise

The Liberal Democrats and Labour are dog whistling to an extremely well-funded anti-prisons lobby.

Peter Cuthbertson: A simple reform to make medical patents work for everyone

Intellectual property law fosters innovation and benefits patients, but more effective enforcement is needed to keep disputes out of the courts.

Peter Cuthbertson: Sex, lies, votes, private habits, skewed surveys – our electoral secrets laid bare

As a Conservative candidate, I found a number of chapters in Cowley and Ford’s new book encouraging.

Peter Cuthbertson: This is no time to cut prison sentences

Prison works.

Peter Cuthbertson: Why this commentariat panic about Scotland’s referenendum? It will vote No – and the key is the Don’t Knows

The Union is safe, at least for now. If ever there were a sure thing in politics, it’s this.

Peter Cuthbertson: Vicky Pryce – and the necessity of tougher sentencing

Her book “Prisonomics” shows sympathy only for the perpetrators of crime, not its victims.

Peter Cuthbertson: Last year saw 91,000 cases of serious, repeat offenders avoiding prison

Peter recently founded the Centre for Crime Prevention, a new campaign for the proper use of prisons and front line… Read more »

Peter Cuthbertson: The new Police Commissioners must get police back on the beat

Peter Cuthbertson is a Conservative activist and occasional blogger. He works in public affairs. Follow Peter on Twitter. Beat policing… Read more »