Following last week’s announcement on court reforms, I’m pleased to see changes that finally put victims at the centre of our justice system. As your MP, I’ve seen how the current system leaves victims and survivors waiting far too long for the justice they deserve.

The Government’s response to Sir Brian Leveson’s review of the criminal courts offers reforms that I believe are long overdue, and ones I am proud to support.

The backlog in our courts is nearing 80,000 cases and without urgent change, it could easily hit 100,000. Many victims are waiting years just to have their case heard, some might not even get a chance until the next decade. Others simply withdraw, worn down by endless delays. This isn’t justice, and I know so many of you will agree that victims deserve so much better.

I support the removal of defendants’ automatic right to choose a jury trial. All too often this option is used to delay proceedings for tactical advantage. It’s time decisions about jury or judge-only trials are taken on their merits by experienced judges and magistrates doing what’s right, not by defendants looking for a loophole. I believe this change is a fair, balanced, and necessary step.

Another welcome idea is the introduction of “Swift Courts” for less serious cases—those likely to attract sentences of three years or less. These cases could then be heard by a judge alone, freeing up the Crown Court for the most serious crimes. This is a model used successfully elsewhere, and I’m confident it will help our justice system work more efficiently.

Our dedicated magistrates, many from rural communities like ours, already handle more than 90% of criminal cases. They know what they’re doing and giving them more responsibility makes sense. It’s about making the most of the experience and commitment that is already there, helping to reduce delays and keep justice accessible.

But perhaps most important of all is the commitment to invest in victim and witness support. With £550 million pledged for long-term, consistent funding, frontline services will finally have the resources to offer real, sustained help: emotional support, practical advice, and advocacy from the very moment a crime is reported, right through to the final verdict. I’ve heard too many stories of victims feeling abandoned, left without guidance or retraumatised by lengthy delays. This funding will make a tangible difference.

Earlier this week I visited the Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre. Frontline staff welcomed these reforms, saying they will make a real difference to the people they support every day across Gloucestershire and the Forest of Dean. Their endorsement confirms that these changes aren’t just political, they’re personal.

This package of reforms isn’t about tearing down tradition. It’s about restoring faith: faith in a justice system that works for victims, not delays; that cares, not stalls; that delivers fairness quickly and compassionately.

I’ll be watching the implementation closely, and I’m committed to making sure the voices of those who have been failed by delays—victims, survivors, and frontline professionals—are heard every step of the way.