Local Communities To Vote On Punishments?

The Guardian today reports that the government is considering 'allowing' local communities to vote on the type of punishment to be given to criminals. This would only be for 'low-level' crimes such as disorderly conduct etc.

Hazel Blears, Communities Secretary, is reported to have told a Number 10 crime summit recently that it was "the most powerful thing" when "local people got to vote on what it was they wanted the convicted criminals to do in their community"

Well Ms Blears, thanks for 'allowing' us, the people who pay your wages, to decide on matters affecting our local community. Very magnanimous of you!

Why don't you go one better - just 'butt out', let us elect our local chief law enforcer and that way local people can decide what level of law enforcement, per se, they want? But then, with you and your 'centrist' colleagues, this will never happen as that would upset your philosophy of central government diktat

The sooner you and your ilk are given the opportunity of finding another job, preferably one not in public service, the better - assuming of course you can find an employer in the private sector fool enough to employ you!.