If you are over 30 look away now
Friday, March 26, 2010 I have been asked to address the Adam Smith Institute's Next Generation group on Tuesday April 6 when my subject will be "Cigarettes and Civil Liberties". Venue: "a well-known Westminster watering hole". Under-30s only. Contact tng@adamsmith.org for details.
PS. I can't believe it's almost two years since the unveiling of a statue of Adam Smith in the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. It seems like yesterday, but what a great occasion that was. Full story HERE.
Simon Clark
Dunhillbabe (see Comments) asks when did you last hear the expression "It's a free country". Funnily enough, Philip Johnston posed the very same question in the Telegraph earlier this week - click HERE.
The article is an extract from Philip's new book Bad Laws: An Explosive Analysis of Britain's Petty Rules, Health and Safety Lunacies and Madcap Laws (Constable) which was published yesterday and is available from Amazon HERE.
Reader Comments (3)
Just a thought - I remember the time when (in response to someone telling someone they couldnt do something)one would frequently hear - or use - the retort 'It's a free country'. When did you last hear anyone use that expression?!
Dunhillbabe asks: 'It's a free country'. When did you last hear anyone use that expression?
I last heard it on 1st May 1997. The following day, Labour got into power!
Here's a tip, Simon. Don't be your usual tosser self and say, "Owww, of course people should have the right to smoke, but not anywhere near where they might offend a non-smoker, and most CERTAINLY not where a child might even get the slightest premonition that an adult might be thinking about lighting a fag."
As our best friend in this fight, you're a pretty good white-ant.