Polly opines on the abolition of jury trial for fraud and argues that the authority of the government is tainted by Iraq. Genuine civil liberties are no, doubt a worthy cause, but this has extended to "any apparent curtailment of freedom". For complex fraud trials are not just an exercise in justice, they are an "easy-law-for-the-rich system", a way to bring "white collar fraudsters" and "mega-thieves" to book.
There are failings with the current system of dealing with fraud, and many trials have collapsed in the past. But the columnist is concerned with prosecuting this ill-defined group of defrauding marauders and does not mention the words 'miscarriage of justice' or 'innocent until proven guilty' in her text. Indeed, such issues are absent.
And then, she says this like it is a bad thing:
If this key piece of non-ideological legislation fails to reach the statute books and swelling ranks of mega-fraudsters escape due sentence, it will be another sign of slippage in the authority every prime minister needs for everyday governing.