Cameron’s record on drugs under fire in crime debate

Conservative candidate Matthew Grove claimed his Labour rival Lord Prescott was “soft on drugs”, pointing out that while an MP, he voted in 2003 to reclassify cannabis from Class B to Class C, but did not vote when the category was changed back to B eight years later.

Mr Grove, an East Riding councillor, said: “This tells you all you need to know about John Prescott – he just says what people want to hear then does the opposite.”

But Lord Prescott hit back and said his position on cannabis was consistent – and compared favourably with that of Mr Cameron.

“My stance on cannabis being a dangerous drug has never changed,” he said. “I argued in Government and in Cabinet against its reclassification to a class C drug.

“But they took the advice to downgrade it from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs and the Home Affairs Committee, which included a certain David Cameron.

“Mr Cameron was one of only a few Tory MPs not to vote with his party against reclassification only to change his mind in 2008 when medical evidence supported my view cannabis – and especially stronger variants such as skunk – could cause mental health issues.

“I’m talking closely with local drugs groups and other bodies with great experience in this field about how we can tackle this serious problem. If Mr Grove wants to talk about flip flops, I suggest he talks to his own party leader.”

Coun Grove claimed drug offences in the Humberside Police area had risen by almost 30 per cent under Labour between 1997 and 2010 and remained a major issue.

He said: “I have listened to many people, groups and organisations that have all identified drugs as being the common denominator when it comes to crime and when coupled with alcohol fuels much of the anti-social behaviour that plague our town and city centres, as well as domestic violence that destroy families.

“Many addicts resort to crime to fund their habit, who when caught and convicted enter prison on a short term sentence with their drug habit and leave with the same habit. If we are to break the cycle of re-offending, and keep our communities safe and make them safer then the scourge of drugs must be addressed.”

He added: “Humberside needs a Police Commissioner who will have a clear and consistent position on drugs, and actually tackle problems, not just give empty promises.”

“Reducing drug crime is a priority for me. It ruins lives, drives up criminal activity to finance drug use – which creates more victims, and needs to be tackled head on.”

No 10 declined to comment.