As my old friend Ken Clarke said last week, opponents of the policy have not come up with any practicable alternative to it.
I believe conservatism means championing business and enterprise while simultaneously fighting for what is right and fair. This means ensuring that large multinationals never feel empowered enough to run roughshod over our rights as consumers.
Scottish Government also ploughs more money into Ferguson Marine despite conceding it would be cheaper to start from scratch at another yard.
There may be a greater role for community sentences, but not as an alternative because the state cannot deliver, or will not pay for, a proper prison system.
Access to justice should mean that consumers receive the bulk of any settlement or damages, but that is not what is happening in practice.
Irresponsible dog ownership is a growing and serious problem. Not only has there been a huge increase in both fatal and non-fatal dog attacks, but the number of out-of-control dogs attacking other dogs has also skyrocketed.
Yes, many decisions are now made by quangos or regulators rather than ministers. But in our constitution, delegating that authority is a choice.
From Labour’s perspective, the one thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about.
Instead, the Scottish Government’s review into the high-profile mishandling of a sex offender remains shrouded in secrecy.
I am yet to see a plan in place that makes me think this dire situation will get better any time soon.
We also want victims to be put first. Too often, their voices get lost in the system – but we will ensure they are heard when key decisions are made.
Rising above tribal instinct to deliver equality under the law is the foundation of civilisation. It is a habit hard to learn, and easy to forget.
The continuing failure of our law of public protest was made vivid again last week, when Amanda Kelly, a District Judge, found four members of Insulate Britain not guilty of the offence of wilful obstruction of the highway.
Insisting on degrees is an example of pointless red tape, and I want to get rid of all such bureaucratic burdens. Sir Stephen House’s Operational Productivity Review is designed to do just that.
His selective remorse speaks volumes about his priorities, and fuels perceptions that his apology was more a calculated political move than a genuine admission of culpability and sincere expression of regret.