Farage supports designated smoking rooms in Scottish pubs
Friday, April 8, 2016 at 8:10 Say what you like about Nigel Farage, he's consistent in his opposition to the smoking ban and other nanny state measures.
Yesterday, ahead of the Scottish parliamentary election in May, Ukip unveiled their Scottish manifesto.
Echoing Forest's recent call, it includes a proposal to allow smoking rooms in pubs and clubs.
The Morning Advertiser has the story here (UKIP calls for smoking ban to be scrapped). The idea has also been reported widely by the Scottish media.
Many commentators, especially on social media, seem to consider smoking rooms to be a return to the age of rickets and diphtheria but if anyone is a Luddite it's them.
Not only is it possible to have a perfectly decent smoking room that isn't swimming in a fug of smoke, their remarks ignore the fact that a majority of adults in Scotland support the idea.
On this issue therefore Ukip is on the side of public opinion. In contrast every other party – including the Scottish Tories under their jovial but lightweight leader Ruth Davidson – continues to ignore one of the main reasons for the decline of the traditional Scottish pub.
Over 1200 pubs have closed in Scotland since the smoking ban was introduced – that's one fifth of the country's entire pub estate in 2006.
To be honest I'm not one of Farage's biggest fans. I did like him, on a personal level at least, but his behaviour towards colleagues such as Douglas Carswell and Suzanne Evans – a former deputy chairman who was suspended recently from the party – did him no favours in my eyes.
To give him his due however he has been remarkably consistent in his opposition to the smoking ban.
In fact, without Farage at the helm, I've little doubt Ukip's opposition to the smoking ban would be quietly parked.
It certainly wouldn't make the headlines as it did in Scotland yeaferday so we must be grateful for that.
The intriguing thing now is whether any of Ukip's 26 candidates get elected under proportional representation.
If they do we should be able to make even more noise about designated smoking rooms.
PS. Friends within Ukip tell me it's likely Farage will step down as leader after the EU referendum.
We've heard it before but if it's true we'll miss his no nonsense approach to lifestyle issues.
His style of leadership may be a cause for concern at times but there aren't many politicians in Britain who are prepared to stand up for choice and personal responsibility as much as Farage does, and none of them are in the Cabinet.
Given we have a Conservative government that's a fairly shocking thing to say and a sad indictment of politics today.
Reader Comments (3)
I agree with all of that. Sadly there are others in ukip who also attack carswell and evans. It's almost as if the party doesn't want to appear electable.
Experience tells me there are few smokerphobics in ukip but there are some so it depends on what prominence they get within the party and policy making after farage steps down
Amending the smoking ban in Scotland is a good goal but it needs to be broadened to include all UK and exported to Ireland, the EU, Australia and the US--adding Canada, and the rest of North and South America, Asia, and Africa...
I removed myself from being a ukip activist when my branch was taken over by a smokerphobic. I still support the centre right, choice, truth and the belief that I am in control of my destination, but have no-one to represent me locally.