People in West Norfolk have expressed disagreement with the Government’s proposal to limit jury trials in England and Wales, including a Labour MP.

Justice Secretary David Lammy announced at the start of the month that jury trials for crimes that carry a likely sentence of less than three years will be scrapped and replaced with a judge making the decision.

Since then, outrage has poured from a magistrates’ court solicitor, a member of the House of Lords and MPs.

More surprisingly, South West Norfolk MP Terry Jermy has shown retaliation to his party and disagreed with the proposal.

Nearly 40 Labour MPs have warned Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer they are not prepared to support proposals to limit jury trials.

Former shadow attorney general Karl Turner wrote a letter to the prime minister signed by those MPs, including Mr Jermy.

Mr Jermy said: “It is clear that we have a crippling backlog of cases in our criminal justice system.

“These backlogs are causing alarming delays and adding unnecessary trauma and distress for victims, with many withdrawing their cases due to the anguish that waiting for a trial brings.

“Change is needed. We must fix the crisis we have inherited. However, I am concerned by the proposal put forward by the Lord Chancellor to limit jury trials, particularly when there are many other ways in which the backlog could be significantly reduced.

“I worry that the removal of such trials may erode trust in the justice system, which is one of our greatest and oldest pillars.

“We must reduce the backlog, and I look forward to working with the Ministry of Justice to find other constructive, impactful and fair ways to bring about such change.”

North West Norfolk Conservative MP James Wild agreed, arguing that “ancient rights” should not be scrapped and that the number of court sitting days should be increased.

“I strongly oppose the Labour government’s plans to restrict access to jury trials,” Mr Wild said.

“Rather than scrapping ancient rights, they should be maximising the number of court sitting days so more trials can take place.

“In the House of Commons last week, I challenged ministers to use the 2,000 days available rather than junk hundreds of years of history.

“These plans can only pass if Labour MPs are weak enough to vote for them – I will be opposing them.”

Over at Lynn Magistrates’ Court, experienced solicitor George Sorrell is often seen defending his clients in some nasty cases.

Mr Sorrell struggles to see how the jury axe would reduce the ever-growing backlog in court cases.

“Only 10% of cases go to the crown court,” Mr Sorrell said.

“What will it do to reduce the backlog? I don’t see how it will make a difference.

“Out of that 10%, most of those are guilty pleas. How will it reduce the backlog?

“I think their (the Government’s) agenda is to reduce money spent and prison sentences.”

Lord Henry Bellingham, former MP for North West Norfolk who is currently a working Conservative Peer, says that everyone should have the right to a trial in front of a jury.

Lord Bellingham, who previously worked as a barrister for eight years, urged the Government to rethink their decision.

“During my time as a barrister, I saw plenty of cases where the common sense of juries resulted in the correct and fairest decisions,” Lord Bellingham said.

“While it makes sense for the very minor cases to be restricted to magistrates’ courts, in all other cases the accused must have the right to trial before a jury.

“Of course, action must be taken to address the very lengthy delays in the court system, but taking away historic rights for defendants to be tried by juries is, in my opinion, nothing less than constitutional vandalism.

“It is obviously vital that the Government think again, listen to lawyers and, most importantly, the general public.

“Although the Government will undoubtedly use their large majority to force this through the Commons, I am sure it will encounter very strong opposition in the House of Lords.

“This was not in the Labour manifesto, so myself and many other colleagues will be doing all we can to stop it.”