Down with this sort of thing

Dick Puddlecote has said everything that needs to be said about the latest risible plain packaging study so do read his post if you haven't already. It really is appalling that these hacks receive taxpayers' money to come up with such abject drivel.

Meanwhile, another survey has found that voters don't give two hoots about this daft policy...

Populus asked more than 2,000 members of the public, on a scale of 0 to 10 where 0 = not important at all and 10 = very important, the level of importance they attach to completing outstanding pieces of legislation facing the remainder of this parliament:

•  "controlling the UK's borders and reducing immigration" (8.14)
•  "tougher counter-terrorism and security laws" (8.08)
•  “stopping human trafficking" (7.92)
•  "improving access to affordable housing" (7.46)
•  "making it easier for employers to take on apprentices" (7.10)
•  "improving rail and train services" (6.43)
•  "regulating the future of the fracking sector" (6.10)
•  "introducing plain packaging for cigarettes" (3.51)

"Introducing plain packaging for cigarettes" was the lowest of any of the variables tested, with a mean importance rating of just 3.51. The closest variable, "regulating the future of the fracking sector", scored 6.10.

See the full results on the Forest website.

And, speaking of Forest, the splendid Simon Clark is organising a drinks reception at the Institute of Directors in London on February 24th, featuring some of the soundest people in the country taking the microphone to Stop the Nonsense. That's a week on Tuesday. It's an open invitation but you must RSVP - see here for details.