Some Inconsistency Here...
According to the BBC, the Tories and the Lib Dems are against new proposals of the government to ban drinking on public transport. That hackneyed cliche of the "nanny state" is rearing its ugly head again...What I do want explained is this, however. If both the Tories and the Lib Dems think it is "absurd to ban drinking on trains and buses while letting pubs open 24 hours", then why are they complaining about the nanny state? Both parties oppose the liberalising of opening hours - which is surely dictating to the public about where and when they can drink as much as banning alcohol on public transport.
In any case, I don't think they should worry too much about this ban actually seeing the light of day. At the end of the article we find the following paragraphs:
The Home Office would not comment on any leaked documents, but a spokesman said: "As part of the 'Respect Agenda' we are considering a whole range of proposals."
"Nothing has been ruled in or out at this stage."
A paper outlining the government's scheme would be published in December, he added.
It's one of the government's favourite tricks. Just like they were "considering" introducing orange jumpsuit uniforms for those on community service, this is just another ploy to get a headline, to roll out a few soundbites about the "respect agenda", and then leave the policy on some hidden shelf to gather dust. It's another example of Labour's media manipulation; their belief that politics is more about creating a popular impression rather than doing the right thing. And it stinks.
posted by Ken @ 9:59 PM
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