Memorandum submitted by Judith Bramley
I am delighted to read that your Committee is going to reassess the effects of the Licensing Act 2003-one of the stupidest of many of Blair's ideas. At present we have a law which encourages people to do bad things-get drunk and gamble away money-but makes it difficult to hold meetings and parties in church halls, given concerts in churches or to have poetry club meetings in a pub (in Cambridge of all places!).
I am particularly concerned about the limits set on carol
singing-something that everyone can enjoy and that is part of our cultural
heritage. Carols are mentioned in 'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight', written in
the 14th Century, but are apparently seen by the present Government
as a dangerous activity. Our choir used to sing carols for charity at
The Labour Party used to be the party of liberty but is not the party of nit-picking, annoying bureaucrats. Please release us from our bonds and let us 'sing unto the Lord' freely!
November 2008 |