How James O'Brien Gives The Benefit Of Doubt To Police Cuts

11 September 2018, 15:24

James O'Brien always thought it wasn't plausible to cut the police without increasing crime, but this realisation gave him reason to give the Conservatives benefit of the doubt.

The LBC presenter said he was able to give the idea of police cuts the benefit of the doubt after reflecting back to a thought he had when the last Mayor of London made cuts to the fire service.

"It started with Boris Johnson, who was responsible for a lot of cuts to fire engines and fire stations, despite swearing blind and campaigning on the ticket that he would do no such thing.

"But at the time, he lived with his family in London and they would suffer, I used to argue, if they cut fire engines and fire stations.

"There's a curious contradiction at the heart of Conservative cuts and the thing that made me think they might be telling the truth when they said they could cut public services without affecting the quality of the public service."

James O'Brien
James O'Brien in the LBC studio. Picture: LBC

James continued: "When a Conservative says to me we can cut the police without increasing crime, I kind of think that it doesn't sound very plausible, but they live in this country as well.

"So if cutting the police is going to make us less safe, you would be making you and yours less safe as well as me and mine.

"And so I am minded to give you the benefit of the doubt."

Brexiteer calls James O’Brien ‘to see how many times he’d be interrupted’

Brexiteer calls James O’Brien ‘to see how many times he’d be interrupted’

LBC caller warns that graduates risk becoming 'economic slaves'

LBC caller warns that graduates risk becoming 'economic slaves'

Fishing Industry Consultant debunks 'complete lies' about water pollution

Fishing industry consultant tells James O'Brien we were 'lied to' about water pollution

James O'Brien callers feel 'targeted' by Labour's immigration rhetoric

James O'Brien's callers feel 'targeted' by Labour's immigration rhetoric

James O'Brien is joined by Sadiq Khan to take your calls

Speak to Sadiq: Mayor of London joins James O'Brien to take your calls

LBC caller blames migration for NHS waiting times

LBC caller blames migration for NHS waiting times

Trade deals, conclave and Reform UK: LBC’s best callers of the week

Trade deals, conclave and Reform UK: LBC’s best callers of the week

'Vance saw Francis... we might be onto something'

LBC caller jokes that JD Vance's visit to the late pope might've paved the way for an American pope

"Things have to get a little bit dirty"

Caller Alexander thinks that "things have to get dirty" to stop Reform

'They've alienated every single subsection of society'

Caller Phil ruthlessly describes a Labour Party that 'doesn't appeal to anyone'

Caller Peter shares why 'we must remember VE Day'

Caller Peter shares why 'we must remember VE Day'

James O'Brien asks: ‘how does Nigel Farage get away with it?’

James O'Brien asks: ‘how does Nigel Farage get away with it?’

James O’Brien is ‘fascinated’ by caller Will’s story on finding faith

James O’Brien is ‘fascinated’ by caller Will’s story on finding faith

LBC caller impresses James O'Brien and listeners with her analysis of the 'new world order'

LBC caller impresses James O'Brien with her analysis of the 'new world order'

Should the UK take a Canadian approach to dealing with Trump?

LBC callers: Should the UK take a Canadian approach to dealing with Trump?

20,000 Brits die each year because of ultra-processed food

LBC callers give their reaction to findings that 20,000 Brits die each year because of ultra-processed food