Should the government remove defendants' right to elect Crown court trial in either-way cases?

The King’s speech announced a Courts Modernisation Bill that will remove defendants’ right to elect Crown court trial in either-way cases, extend magistrates’ sentencing powers, and replace the automatic right of appeal from magistrates’ courts. The Bar Council has urged the government to drop these plans and instead create specialist sexual offences and domestic abuse courts. Labour’s manifesto promised rape courts but did not pledge to reduce jury trials.