Straw does claim one liberal credential.
It was supposed to be Jack Straw's big week. Last Sunday, the Home Secretary had his next five days mapped out. Last week, as he saw it, would contain two defining moments for himself and the New Labour Government. Over the weekend he had decided to release the former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet and, at the same time, launch a fierce attack on those who opposed his plans to reform Britain's ancient system of trial by jury - the Hampstead liberals. Both moves were bound to attract huge controversy, but he was well-prepared for the inevitable onslaught.