Dream team

Some of you may remember Councillor Paul Bartlett.

Ten years ago he tried to ban smoking in all outdoor public areas in Stony Stratford, a "pretty little town" near Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire.

A somewhat eccentric figure, Bartlett's plan was widely derided and subsequently defeated following a protest in the town that attracted national coverage (Health Hitlers and a mutiny in the town trying to ban smoking).

I'll come back to Bartlett later because his story doesn't end there. But first, let me introduce you to 'community campaigner' Jackie McDonald in neighbouring Hertfordshire.

According to the Hertfordshire Mercury McDonald has recently launched a campaign to ban smoking in Hitchin town centre.

Jackie McDonald, who stood as an independent candidate for Oughton in the local elections in May, was outraged after witnessing “at least six people” smoking on the Breathe Green bench, reportedly dropping cigarette butts and ash on the floor.

“The bench’s message is to promote a healthier and greener environment," Jackie said. "When you see people sitting on it smoking you think ‘what are they doing?'"

But McDonald's intentions don't stop with a ban on smoking. She wants to ban chewing gum as well.

Sadly, before launching her zero tolerance campaign, McDonald came last of five candidates when bidding to represent Hitchin Oughton on North Hertfordshire District Council.

In fact, with just 65 votes, her share of the vote was a disappointing five per cent. At least Paul Bartlett was already a councillor when he launched his ill-fated campaign to ban smoking in Stony Stratford in 2011.

So what has become of the man Rod Liddle perhaps unfairly called a "halfwit"?

Well, after what was described in 2019 as a 'colourful history' that included 'homelessness and sleeping rough in his car in 2015', it seems that Bartlett never went away.

Nor has he ever been far from controversy:

Alderman Bartlett, who was awarded the honorary title for being a councillor for 16 years, has been hauled over the coals more than once for cases of bullying and harassment.

He also avoided, by one vote, an attempt to remove his Alderman title, in 2012.

Today it appears that e-scooters not smokers are his bete noir because in May the MK Gazette reported:

A man who is a town councillor and Alderman of the borough has lashed out at the use of e-scooters and suggested they be BANNED in his area of MK.

Paul Bartlett says he has to take action "on a regular basis" to avoid a collision with a scooter when he is walking in his home town of Stony Stratford.

"Stepping out of my front door is a real risk. I should not have to look left and right. Exiting shops in the town, one is literally facing injury and worse,” he said.

Perhaps 'city dignitary' Paul Bartlett (Milton Keynes) should join forces with 'community campaigner' Jackie McDonald (Hitchin). What a dream team that would be.

Comments

[Vinny Gracchus]

Yes, what a dream team of petit despots. Antismokers are now trying to ban smoking because they don't like the looks of it--or rather the looks of 'vile' smokers.

First, they used spurious second-hand smoke 'health' justifications (despite ample evidence that second-hand some is not really a health risk--especially outdoors). Then, they relied upon relentless propaganda amplifying those exaggerated claims. Next, they claimed that smoking reduction was a health issue and should not be subject to political debate furthering their totalitarian quest for control. Now, they try again seeking to deny smokers the right to freely congregate just because they don't like their appearances.

The antismoking grifters need end their pursuit of power and stop interfering with individual and social choice.