Smoking ban amendment – where were the Lib Dems?
As has been noted widely elsewhere David Nuttall’s attempt to introduce a Bill to amend the smoking ban has fallen by a majority of 55 (86 in favour of an amendment, 141 against). I agree with Guido’s view that the actual votes cast suggest a growing popularity for such an idea (that was reported as “dead and buried” just a few short months ago).
So, I can take some comfort from the fact that perhaps, just perhaps, there are some signs that a more sensible approach to personal freedom in this country maybe seeping back into politics in this country. 86 MPs voting FOR an amendment to the smoking ban IS a result.
It has to be said that the early signs are that IF this is true – it is going to be driven by the blues rather than the yellows… It is with regret that we note
ONLY A HANDFUL OF LIBERAL MPs VOTED FOR THIS BILL
A big round of applause to John Thurso, Greg Mulholland and Adrian Sanders who stood tall.. ( John Hemming appears to have voted both for it and against it ?). 3 DUP and 4 Labour MP’s are also on the “ayes” list of those supporting this bill leaving the VAST MAJORITY of those supporting this bill were CONSERVATIVES and a lot of those being the new kids from the class of 2010.
October 13th, 2010 at 11:08 pm
Labour out of government but still win. That’s ‘change’ for you.
October 13th, 2010 at 11:29 pm
Now we can see that the bans life is now on life support!
Its days are numbered,long live freedom!
October 13th, 2010 at 11:33 pm
They were outside having a ciggy.
October 14th, 2010 at 1:56 am
Extend the ban to all public places NOW
October 14th, 2010 at 3:48 am
ColinW – hmmm 1. I am not sure that Sam my local landlord would agree with you that his bar is a “public place”..its a private space he opens up to his customers…. more generally we could of course just send all smoking underground – and when you have finished driving tobacco underground and into the hands of criminal gangs …..why dont govenerments move onto alcohol sales- shut down drinking in all public places (leaving the option to drink at home or in illegal drinking dens both funded by organised crime – I am sure they would be delighted) because that has obviously worked before….and then why not attack burger bars and fish and chip shops and other peddlars of fatty foods,…sweet shops should only be allowed to sell confectionary in plain paper bags from under the counter…and now I come to think of it dairy-products are pretty dodgy.
If we are banning tobacco in all public places because its annoying….I personally get irritated by kids on buses so perhaps I should call for a ban all under 18′s from travelling on public transport.
Then again – if the ban on smoking in public places is just because “we need to protect stupid people from doing stupid things”…well we could occupy the next 5 years banning horse-riding, rock climbing,cycling, rugby, motor sports etc etc – they all seem to account for a number of “unnecessary deaths in the country”….
October 14th, 2010 at 11:46 am
Did anyone really believe an issue of freedom regarding
mostly ordinary working class people would get support
from the Lib Dems
Grow up
Get real
Sniff the capucino
Nibble on the Croissant
When LibDems speak of freedom,we all know whose freedom
they dream of.
Maybe ,seeing old soldiers and elderly ladies stood
in wet carparks gives the LibDem warrior class a sense of
superiority
White Feathers are on the house
Cheers
October 14th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
It will take another election cycle to remove the freedom takers from the government………Now the EU is attempting to pass an EU wide smoking ban……..question is ”Will the EU survive as an entity or collapse as the EURO falls and economic depression takes over the world”.
October 14th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
So much for the coalitions idea of being “fair” and giving people back their civil liberties. Nanny Labour still in control.To those who voted for a reform of the smoking ban and to try and get rid of this discrimination and bullying against taxpaying smokers and also who did try to save our pubs and clubs from closure as a direct result of the ill thought out ban I would like to say a massive Thank-You.
October 14th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
This is just another sad day for those people who believe in freedom of choice, divercity and equality and success for those who believe in discrimination, the properganda of the last goverment, dictatorship and to carry on with the destruction of pubs and social clubs,these three political parties “Labour, Conservative and so called Liberal” have again let down masses if people in this country, LONG LIVE UKIP “this country’s last hope”.
October 14th, 2010 at 1:39 pm
Many thanks to John Thurso, Greg Mulholland and Adrian Sanders, its good to see some of the Lib Dems standing up from freedom.
October 14th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
Just 3 LibDems voted for the 10 minute motion.
Just shows how ‘liberal’ they are !!
Just 3 Labour M.P.’s supported the Motion.
The LibDems appear to be in bed together again.
15 million smokers paying £10 billion in duty have no support from the nanny state once again.
October 14th, 2010 at 11:10 pm
Who would vote for the ill liberals?
October 15th, 2010 at 8:08 am
@ Chas
“I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”
Luke 15/7
It is a start and we hope the numbers will rise.
October 19th, 2010 at 10:35 am
Smoking should be banned in city centres.