A smacking ban will just criminalise the innocent
AS if we needed any further evidence of the intrusive legislation being imposed on Scots by Holyrood, the SNP government are now in a race to be first to introduce a ban on smacking.
This Bill has been put forward by a backbench Green MSP, so the SNP say it is not a Scottish Government Bill and they are simply not opposing it.
This appears to be another cosy deal with the Greens in order to get their support for the coming SNP Budget.
Everyone agrees that excessive use of force — on anyone — is unacceptable and is already covered by assault legislation.
The vast majority of parents would never consider such excessive use of force against their children, but there are sound reasons for allowing ‘smacking’ in its widely accepted definition to be used in order to teach children that there are boundaries and consequences for misbehaving.
Schools, nurseries and playgroups deal with discipline problems by banning the offending child from attending, but this is hardly an option in the home and parents must be allowed to decide for themselves whether or not to use a gentle smack. This legislation will be virtually impossible to enforce and will make no difference to those already guilty of using excessive force.
Just as reducing the drink drive limit has had no effect on those who were already driving above the old limit, once again we have a government which chooses to penalise and criminalise responsible and law abiding adults rather than tackling those who are causing the real problems.
A Wyllie, largs, Ayrshire.
Project Stupid
THERE have been claims that the absence of a Brexit deal would cost families £500 a year (Mail). In fact, food prices will fall if the UK adopts World Trade Organisation rules and opts for zero tariffs on EU food imports.
Currently, the EU imposes tariffs on the majority of food imports from non-EU countries. Most of the tariffs raised in this way in the UK are then remitted to the EU.
By taking the free trade path, as Singapore, Hong Kong and New Zealand have, the UK would import food tariff-free from the entire world, not just the EU.
However, as a result of lobbying from the CBI, economists and City boardrooms, Project Stupid has replaced Project Fear.
TiM MARTiN, Watford, Herts.
Don’t be a saver
I ALWAYS encouraged young people to get on the housing ladder and save for their old age. But now I’m a pensioner, I would change that advice. Get on the list for a council house, don’t bother with a pension and just spend all your earnings.
I scrimped and saved all my life, only to be taxed to the hilt.
DAViD liNGS, Nottingham.
Foul attacks on MP
COMPLAINTS against MP Douglas Ross for missing a House of Commons vote because he was refereeing an international football match rumble on.
How often does Mr Ross miss a vote for this reason? Seldom, given that he has a 96 per cent House of Commons voting record, unlike the youngest MP, the SNP’s Mhairi Black, whose voting record is 21 per cent.
The SNP is very quiet about that. In addition, perhaps the SNP forget that four high-profile SNP MPs missed the vote on the socalled ‘bedroom tax’.
I do not recall there being criticism of Alex Salmond when he was both an MP and an MSP at the same time. Further, Mr Salmond, when last an MP, had another job, one at a fixed time: his slot on the LBC phone-in.
SNP people are always quick to accuse pro-Union people of ‘talking Scotland down’. Yet they cannot find it in themselves to applaud proudly when a Scot is accorded an honour such as that conferred on Mr Ross. This whole issue reeks of hypocrisy and double standards.
Jill STepHeNSoN, edinburgh.
Strictly’s out of step
AS A Strictly Come Dancing fan, I am frustrated that the results show is not broadcast on Saturdays, but recorded and then broadcast ‘as live’ on Sundays.
After Debbie McGee and Ruth Langsford let slip who had been voted off two weeks running, it’s time to end the pretence.
If they can broadcast the final on one evening, they should do it for the rest of the series, too. HilARy GolDSMiTH, Uppingham, Rutland.
GPs under pressure
THERE’S a lot of pressure on GPs, due to the compensation culture. Is it any wonder so many are leaving the profession?
The NHS, as well as the Army, teaching and police, are finding it difficult to recruit because they are strangled by red tape, have little support and when things go wrong, someone has to be hung out to dry. pHil GRANGeR, West Malling, Kent.
Fishy goings-on
CAPTAIN Birdseye, who has spent years promoting fish fingers, is demoted three ranks overnight with no explanation (Mail).
Meanwhile, a young woman who is promoting insurance is raised five levels in rank from Commander to full Admiral.
Captain Pugwash needs to make sure his CV is up to date. RAy MUNRo-CRUMp,
Horsham, W. Sussex.