How long before a task force is set up to enforce this, led by none but the sainted Jamie Oliver? And how long before it becomes a statutory requirement for supermarkets to hold such demonstrations? Don’t laugh. If the past nine years have taught us anything, it is that as far as this Government is concerned, anything and everything can be legislated.
On a more serious note, though, we should worry. Not content with interfering in every other area of our lives, the Government is now itching to take a look inside our pots and pans. Not content with legislating to ban smoking even in private members’ clubs, the Government is now looking at banning smoking in the street. But no, we must not complain. It is all for our own good.
But is it? Daily the State encroaches on more and more areas of our lives. Some of these matters, such as diet and smoking, are issues of personal responsibility, and therefore nothing to do with the State. I accept that there is a public health argument, especially given that the health service is funded out of general taxation. However, most times, that is not even the issue. Running through these Government pronouncements is a prescriptive ‘we know what is good for you’ theme, as though they had responsibility for our lives. It is about time we made it clear; they do not.
Never mind fear of fruit. As the Government want to rid us of all our fears, I can tell them of a few real fears to which they could turn their attention. What about the fear, in some inner city areas, of walking down the streets at night, let alone setting foot outside your front door? If they could take steps to address that, I would be most grateful.
October 11th, 2006 at 10:39 am
But they’re only looking out for us, aren’t they? Too right.When will this lot stop interfering?
October 11th, 2006 at 10:43 am
Thou shall not be afraid of the terror by night, or the fruit by day …
October 11th, 2006 at 10:57 am
Thank you for that, TL. Trust you to twist the Bible for your own ends
So how was conference? Email me.
JB, this lot will NEVER stop interfering. How else will they spend the time?
October 11th, 2006 at 3:11 pm
I didn’t know about the smoking ban idea, I can’t stand smoking, but I still believe in freedom of choice. Smokers know they are killing themselves, but it’s usually an addiction that’s hard to overcome. And often they don’t want to. I can’t see our police wanting to monitor any law that banned smoking - can you imagine all the hours of paper work, talk about a nanny state.
October 11th, 2006 at 10:14 pm
This low level stuff is all a very clever PR game. By keeping people occupied with circus’ they can hide away the true disasters of Iraq, PFI, Education adn every other major change they ever promised.
October 15th, 2006 at 1:23 pm
Hi Bel, you didn’t make it to see Andrew Lansley, I was looking forward to meeting you, Martine too, hope you are ok.