tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585028625507474093.post1041944266007650205..comments2023-10-17T15:56:22.827+01:00Comments on Velvet Glove, Iron Fist: Minimum pricing is illegal - the detailsChristopher Snowdonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15963753745009712865noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585028625507474093.post-48765707034593016372013-01-08T23:27:15.057+00:002013-01-08T23:27:15.057+00:00Dear Mr Snowdon
"(1) to contribute to a redu...Dear Mr Snowdon<br /><br /><i>"(1) to contribute to a reduction in alcohol consumption across the Scottish population to improve public health;"</i><br /><br />I understand that moderate alcohol consumption improves the health of the imbiber. Does this mean that the Scottish Health Freaks will <i>force</i> non-drinkers to drink?<br /><br />For the good of the health of Scotland, of course.<br /><br />DPDPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17091133543566922745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585028625507474093.post-74096245873161228522013-01-05T17:16:37.827+00:002013-01-05T17:16:37.827+00:00So this is a measure that is almost universally un...So this is a measure that is almost universally unpopular, that punishes the majority without targeting any "at risk" minority, that provides a lever for further abuse of the wider population by vindictive vested interests, that impacts the poor but has not the wealthy elite, that is based on speculation rather than evidence and and that is illegal under EU law. <br /><br />But the government is still pursuing it despite being backed only by a few sock puppet charities, some extremist medics and the BBC.<br /><br />Is it any wonder that election turnouts are low and politicians are despised? <br /><br />The elitist arrogance of those who inexplicably rise to the top of the political and medical establishments makes them unlikeable, but it is their tendency to treat the rest of us as cattle to be controlled using simplistic rewards and punishments together with their assumption that we are all too stupid to see through their deceptions that make them truly despicable. Ivan Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18364023294207490403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585028625507474093.post-1730727441187482122013-01-04T20:02:52.618+00:002013-01-04T20:02:52.618+00:00Whitehall ignoring the law when inconvenient – ano...Whitehall ignoring the law when inconvenient – another case:<br /><br /><b>Individual Electoral Registration (IER) Bill<br /><a href="http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/sites/default/files/resources/individual-electoral-reform-impact-assessment.pdf" rel="nofollow">Impact Assessment</a></b>:<br /><br /><i><b>Key assumptions/sensitivities/risks</b>: Data matching – national rollout would require primary legislation</i> (p.2).<br /><br />The idea is to make the electoral roll more accurate and complete by comparing existing rolls with data from the likes of the Department for Education, HMRC, etc ... – data-matching.<br /><br />That's currently illegal. Which is why the impact assessment says that primary legislation would be required.<br /><br />IER is a Cabinet Office bill. And they've got high hopes of data-sharing round at the Cabinet Office. Here's <a href="http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/news/information-commissioners-conference-francis-maude-keynote-speech" rel="nofollow">Francis Maude</a>, Cabinet Office minister, chatting about data-sharing to the Information Commissioner:<br /><br /><i>And since the move from a paper based world to a world of computerised databases we have been hampered by legal complexities and muddled myths about what, when and how data can be shared.</i><br /><br />There's that word again, "myths".<br /><br />The funny thing is that data-sharing is unlikely to help either IER or any of Mr Maude's other projects. His attempt to break or change the law is probably pointless.<br /><br />But for the moment, just note, respect for the law, not high, when it gets in your way, whether you're a burglar or the Cabinet Office minister.David Mosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12345636878071983416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3585028625507474093.post-3932913072188152242013-01-04T17:48:42.105+00:002013-01-04T17:48:42.105+00:00Why are Scotland and England persisting with it?Why are Scotland and England persisting with it?Jonathan Bagleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17331501151709216753noreply@blogger.com