'State control is being taken to another level - the Government need to trust individuals to make their own choices,' writes Mark Oaten
A ban on smoking in pub gardens and other outdoor spaces is being considered by Labour
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I hate being told what I can and can’t do especially when it’s by a government trying to control my life. I don’t need a nanny and don’t want to live in a nanny state. So, when Keir Starmer talks about banning smoking in public places it makes me worry what’s next?
When I was a Member of Parliament, I voted against attempts to ban smoking. Although I am a non-smoker, it felt important to defend the rights of others to do as they wish- even if it was something I didn’t personally like.
I understand a case could be made for the rights of individuals to breathe fresh air, but this latest idea to ban smoking outside takes state control to another level.
Not only would a ban take away another freedom, but it has several knock-on consequences. As with many state bans, they have to be enforced.
I fail to see how an already over stretched police force could even begin to stop people smoking outside. What would the fine be? Could you appeal? What if you’re a tourist? What constitutes a public space? The whole issue is a legal minefield.
These types of bad laws often get passed and then ignored for years. Take the ban on smoking in cars introduced in 2015 - in the first year, just one person was fined.
The more a law is ignored like this the more it undermines the legal process- better not to introduce it in the first place if you have no real intention of prosecuting.
It is worrying that so early into his premiership, Sir Keir is showing these type of interfering tendencies. But it’s not just a Labour party problem. My own party is not without blame. At one point they wanted to ban goldfish being won at fairs- a policy now taken up by various local councils.
LATEST OPINION:
All politicians suffer from the same flawed desire to be seen to be doing something. If X happens, then for sure a politician will suggest Y as a solution.
The reality is that sometimes things just go wrong, and we don’t need to try and reduce every single risk with more laws.
Government should stick to the big picture, focus on what really matters and have trust in the individuals to make both good and bad choices. We don’t need more rules and regulations, we need to have less.
It's time to kiss nanny goodnight.