Monday 13 December 2010

More draconian legislation wanted by the self-righteous

Trawling the Select Committee websites I have come across this from the Transport Select Committee, chaired by Louise Ellman, Labour Co-operative Member of Parliament for Liverpool Riverside.
"We are also calling for the police to be given an additional power to require preliminary breath tests as part of any designated drink drive enforcement operation. We do believe enforcement of drink drive law in Great Britain must become much more visible, frequent, sustained and well-publicised."
Presently one of the excuses that the police have for requesting a breath test is if they believe the person has alcohol in their body. It seems odd therefore that the law is not rigidly enforced when considering any car leaving the Palace of Westminster. Knowing that there exists in those confines, areas where alcohol is served (and at lower prices), it must be logical that the police have reasonable grounds to suspect those individuals may well have alcohol in their bodies. If the enforcement of drink drive law in Britain is to become much more visible, frequent and sustained, one can but hope that in fairness it is applied to everyone!

Another worrying aspect of such a suggestion is, where does it stop? Do the police then get the power to carry out a sustained campaign against those who drive without licences? Do the police then also get the power to stop any motorist in the belief they are an illegal immigrant? How long before the police have the power to stop anyone, motorist or pedestrian, with the request: "Papers please"?

Just asking................

10 comments:

john in cheshire said...

Forgive my ignorance, but what is a Labour Co-Operative Member of Parliament? Isn't she just another socialist shit? or is there a hierarchy?

IanPJ said...

The Co-operative Party is a centre-left political party in the United Kingdom committed to supporting and representing co-operative principles.

The party does not put up separate candidates for any UK election itself.

Instead, Co-operative candidates stand jointly with the Labour Party as "Labour and Co-operative Party" candidates.

As long-standing allies of the larger and more prominent Labour Party, it is regarded by some as a faction within Labour, although the Co-operative Party is legally a separate political organisation.

It means the shits get sponsored twice.. think Hoon..

john in cheshire said...

IanPJ, thanks for the explanation.

IanPJ said...

jic,

as an afterthought, it probably means that they can also spend twice as much at elections, offsetting against 2 parties, and claim twice the expenses against 2 parties.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Labour_Co-operative_Members_of_Parliament

James Higham said...

It seems odd therefore that the law is not rigidly enforced when considering any car leaving the Palace of Westminster.

[Chuckle]

Sean O'Hare said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sean O'Hare said...

Just come from Captain Ranty's place. Apparently the more accurate title of your post should be "More Draconian Legislation" because it isn't Law (meaning Common Law).

http://captainranty.blogspot.com/2010/12/rule-of-law.html

Anonymous said...

Drive around Parliament exit gate continuously, circling the block and waiting for one of the drunkards inside to come plowing out into the street in their inebriated condition. Pass, then get in front of them, slam on the brakes and have them hit into you, nothing serious but enough to make sure it's a solid connection. Call for the police and demand a breath test for alcohol be administered immediately as a condition of the accident. At no time admit that slamming on the brakes was for any other reason than to avoid hitting the childreeeen who ran across the street in front of you and are now gone. Repeat this exercise 646 times.

Witterings from Witney said...

jic: I see IPJ has answered your query and my thanks to IPJ

James Higham: Chuckle this end when I typed it!

Sean O'Hare: I stand corrected and obviousy accept your reasoning - an amendment will be made

Anonymous: Like the idea - Heh!

Trooper Thompson said...

Sean,

good point. I am training myself out of referring to legislation as law.