Letters: The Government’s move to stub out smoking is an assault on liberty

SIR – Rishi Sunak’s legislation to create a “smoke-free” generation (report, April 17) at least provides one clear indication of how those of us who are culturally and politically small “l” liberals should use our votes at the next election.

We now know that only 59 Conservative MPs do not share the mainstream Left’s agenda of establishing ever greater state control over how we choose to live our own lives.

No support should now be given to any sitting Tory MP who failed to oppose this dictatorial measure. The authentic centre-right in Britain now needs to bring about a historic re-alignment after the election. This will include forces from outside the existing Conservative Party, as well as individuals from within it, such as Kemi Badenoch, who want the British electorate to be able to choose a real alternative to the authoritarian, contemporary left in the future.

Marc Glendening
Royston, Hertfordshire

SIR – The Tobacco and Vapes Bill demonstrates that the present Government has given up any pretence that it is conservative in anything but name.

Reform UK it is, then.

Eddie Lodge
Plymouth, Devon

SIR – Some MPs opposed the recent smoking legislation since it stopped adults from making a choice as to whether to engage in smoking tobacco, and it was not the Government’s place to prevent them from doing so.

But if they object to people being denied the right to choose to inhale a medically harmful and addictive substance such as nicotine, why is the Government right to ban the smoking of cannabis?

Dr Ian Morgan
Solihull

SIR – As one who would be designated “Right-wing”, I have to disagree with those of my persuasion who, in the name of free choice, wish that there should be no limit to vapes and no ban on smoking. The application of the law may be crude in format and will be problematic to police, but nevertheless it’s a right step.

Following the limitations that lung disease has imposed on my activities in older age, despite having given up smoking 50 years ago, I wish some politician had had the wit and determination to restrict and ban tobacco products when I was young.

Peter Williman
Chatteris, Cambridgeshire

SIR – There will always be some sections of the community who are antagonised by any law changes a government proposes to enforce, especially where such proposals have an impact at a personal level.

To those who argue that the new anti-smoking bill is an affront to our personal libertie, I would suggest they consider just a few examples of laws that were similarly considered unduly restrictive: the introduction of the law compelling people to wear motorcycle helmets (1973) and seat belts (1983), or the law against using hand-held phones while driving (2003).

How many people do they think would currently suggest that these laws should be repealed?

Tony Palframan
Disley, Cheshire

Defenceless Britain

SIR – Commencing with the then defence secretary Tom King’s “Options for Change”, following the end of the Cold War, the rug was pulled from under our defence capabilities by subsequent governments, eager for cash savings.

All the protestations by our present Government that Israel should show restraint in its reaction to Iran’s unspeakable barbarity really serve to reveal how powerless to defend ourselves we are. Indeed, our US allies have said that because we cannot now field a division we are not much use to them.

We are a once great country brought to its knees by hapless politicians.

David Prole
London W1

Ulez bureaucracy

SIR – With regard to the incorrect application of the Ulez charge (Letters, April 17), about a year ago I transferred a private number plate on to my car. Although the Transport for London website correctly identified the age, make, model and engine type of the Ulez-compliant vehicle, in practice it was not recognised as such. For the immediate journey I had to make, I was required to pay the charge.

I subsequently had to request a certificate of conformity from the manufacturer and send it to the Ulez support team so that the status of the car could be changed to compliant.

Given the time and effort this took, I decided not to ask for the original charge to be refunded. I would urge anyone changing plates to check their car’s status in good time before travelling into the zone.

Justin Davies
Malmesbury, Wiltshire

Too few cooks

SIR – As a retired home economics teacher, I am saddened every time I read about poor eating habits, described by the MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace as a “British pastime” (report, April 17).

We used to ensure that, from the age of 11, pupils understood the need for a balanced diet. We taught them how to make cheap, nutritious meals and adapt recipes to suit the needs of their families.

The Government should put this important subject back on the curriculum. The present food technology courses are clearly failing to teach even the basics.

Penelope Cooke
Hastings, East Sussex

To play a killer

SIR – Sarah Leggat (Letters, April 17) claims that disabled actors should be employed in the role of Richard III because only they “know what being disabled feels like”.

By the same token, only murderers can properly portray the assassins in Julius Caesar. Indeed, the disabled person cast as Richard III would also need some experience of being a serial killer.

What happens on a stage is not real life but a simulacrum of it. The clue is in the word “acting”.

Roger White
Sherborne, Dorset

SIR – If producers were to remake that inspirational film Reach for the Sky, I would be all in favour of their employing a talented legless actor to portray the role of Douglas Bader.

The only problem is that Bader lost his legs in a flying accident – meaning that, for half the film, the actor would need to have legs.

Nicholas Young
London W13

Young suicides

SIR – The president of the AA is right to lament the number of young people who die in road traffic accidents in the UK each year (report, April 15), but is wrong to claim that “road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and young adults”.

This, tragically, is suicide. More than 1,500 people under the age of 35 take their own lives in the UK each year, at least 200 of whom are school-age children. This is a greater national scandal than the unnecessary loss of young lives on our roads.

Harry Biggs-Davison
Chair of Trustees, Prevention of Young Suicide
London SW20

Birbalsingh award

SIR – What good news that the judge found in favour of Katharine Birbalsingh, the headteacher of Michaela Community School, and her prayer ban (report, April 16). It’s a pity our Government could not have supported her more. Perhaps it could make amends with a damehood.

Theo Morgan
London W9

Corvid’s cache

SIR – I recently observed a magpie burying a potato crisp in a pile of wood chippings. Is it normal for these intelligent birds to behave like squirrels?

Philip Urlwin-Smith
Chobham, Surrey

It is time to establish a new charter for the UN

SIR – The United Nations (UN) is an international organisation whose stated aims are to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and serve as a centre for harmonising the actions of nations. In recent years, however, it has become the disunited nations, and as James Ward suggests (Letters, April 15), it needs to be restructured.

Today, sadly, the UN includes rogue nations that have no intention of following the policies set down in 1945 in the official charter, and which use the General Assembly and the Security Council to justify their belligerent actions. 

At its founding, the UN had 51 member states; today it has 193. It is therefore time to establish a new charter for an “all nations convention”, which will accommodate this growth. This should include independent forums to facilitate proper reviews between affected nations before a war breaks out. If one member state invades another without mediation, its membership should automatically be cancelled.

Importantly, the UN has also established many specialised and valuable agencies, such as Unesco, Unicef, the World Health Organisation and the World Food Programme. Their vital work must be able to depend on a well-founded and funded parent body.

Peter Clayton
Twickenham, Middlesex

Volunteering can be the antidote to loneliness

SIR – I was surprised that the two-page feature “How to stop midlife loneliness getting you down” (April 15) contained no mention of voluntary work.

There are thousands of charities that rely on the support and commitment of volunteers. Whether you can offer a few hours a week or just time for specific occasions, your skills and experience would make a real difference to many, and it is an amazing way to develop new interests and meet new people. I have hugely enjoyed many years of volunteering, and everyone’s contribution is so worthwhile. Do try it.

Margaret Rylands
Newport, Isle of Wight

SIR – How sad that our ultra-connected society leaves so many feeling isolated.

This week, I attended the funeral of our local huntsman, Sidney Bailey, who died aged 85. St John the Baptist Church in Cirencester was packed, with perhaps 600 attending, coming from all over the country.

It is frustrating that our politicians are unable to see or appreciate the value of a very real community, but bend to the whims of aggressive animal rights activists in an attempt to destroy one of the most valuable, socially cohesive, inclusive and diverse rural groups.

Charles Mann
Lechlade, Gloucestershire

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