Why the rush, Rishi?
Thursday, October 12, 2023 at 18:55 That was quick. It's almost as if they had it planned.
Just eight days after the prime minister surprised millions of people, including members of his own party, by announcing that the Government intends to ban the sale of tobacco to future generations of adults, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has published details of a consultation that is expected to precede legislation in the new year.
As well as 'creating a smokefree generation', the PM also wants to tackle youth vaping so expect restrictions on flavours, a possible display ban, and even a ban on disposable vapes.
Significantly, while most government consultations give people at least three months to respond, this is only open for eight weeks.
Why the rush, Rishi? Perhaps it's because he knows he's only got another year in office and he wants to leave a legacy (anything will do!) so the race is on to get the legislation through parliament as quickly as possible.
The irony is that banning the sale of tobacco to future generations wasn't even his idea. It originated under a left-wing Labour government in New Zealand where it was introduced on January 1 this year.
That brought it to the attention of shadow health secretary Wes Streeting who said the UK Labour party would give it serious consideration.
Sunak's woeful legacy – the only thing he may be remembered for – could therefore be a policy he not only nicked from another country but from under the nose of His Majesty's Opposition who, far from being annoyed, are supporting it all the way.
You can respond online here and I urge everyone to do so. The closing date is Wednesday December 6 so expect a few reminders before then.
The outcome may be predictable but that's no reason to throw in the towel. Let's give it our best shot.
Reader Comments (1)
His mind is made up, consultation as we know is a waste of time and only done as window dressing to make it look as if the Government is listening when it's not. Of course we will all go through the motions because unless these consultations are deleted, which they probably are after an amount of time, one hopes that at least a record is kept somewhere so that future generations can see how one marginalised community was bulldozed and bullied into accepting criminalisation in the name of ideology.
It is done in a rush because of course the Tories will lose the next election and bland politicians without any real ideas of their own on how to improve lives know that smokers are an easy target to pick on to ensure that "legacy" they all so badly crave. Rishi does not want Wes Streeting to steal his place in history even though he stole it from NZ chief bully dressed in nanny's clothes Jacinda Ardern,
Rishi will be known for nothing expect the man who made smoking illegal so his name goes down in history whether earned or not.
They make me sick.