A man for our times

From The Courier...

 

McDonald’s Monopoly: Angus man’s fight to ban fast food promotions

Lewis McMartin, 36, wants to see promotions in restaurants such as McDonald’s banned in Scotland, saying rewarding people in this way fuels an NHS crisis.

Mr McMartin started a petition which so far has 18 signatures.

It has been pointed out that the government can't just ban a specific promotion by one company. It would have to ban every food company from using any promotion and that would have far-reaching implications.

 

The Scottish Retail Consortium said any new regulation in this area could extend to local chains such as Stephen’s Bakery and Tower Bakery, as well as convenience stores with hot food counters like Scotmid and The Coop.

It could also affect independent businesses such as chip shops, Chinese and Indian takeaways, sandwich bars and coffee shops if they offer any loyalty schemes.

 

You may be wondering why Mr McMartin has such a bee in his bonnet about this.

 

Mr McMartin said: “I have a chronic health condition with my pancreas so I am not able to eat big portions.

“But years ago I would find myself going to McDonald’s and instead of buying a medium meal I would buy a large one so I could get more stickers.

“But that just made my condition more painful and made McDonald’s richer.”

 

There is no cure for stupidity.

 

"Instead of sitting and moaning about it to my friends and whoever else would listen, I went right to the Scottish Government."

 

That's the spirit. Be the change you want to see in the world! 

“They said they wanted to do something but can’t because they don’t have the powers from Westminster.”

 

I don't think this is true, but I can well believe they said that.

 

Mr McMartin added: “I don’t know if it will make a difference, but I felt I needed to do something rather than moaning and having it irritate me.”

 

This being 21st century Scotland, 'doing something' means trying to get it banned. Truly a man for our times!

 

Never underestimate the power of a small group of petty killjoys and to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever does these days.