Jersey Politicians Are 'Crazy', Says @TomHarrisMP

Back in 2008, genial Labour MP Tom Harris wrote one of the most popular political blogs around. Some may remember that he was fair-minded but did tend to get attacked for the stupidity of many of his then government's policies.

One such time was October 2008 when Tom gave his opinion of rumours that the government was planning to ban smoking in "private dwellings". In an article entitled "The smoking ban, what a drag"*, he bravely made this rather naive claim.

But the Department of Health recently held a consultation on whether the smoking ban should be extended into people’s private vehicles and homes. Now, I know this caused a great deal of perfectly understandable outrage among a lot of people. So let me make this clear: the government will not, under any circumstances, legislate to stop people smoking in private. It would be a crazy move and, believe it or not, ministers are not crazy people - they’re politicians and they recognise political realities.

And if they did attempt to legislate in this direction, I would risk the wrath of those who don’t believe Scottish MPs should vote on English matters by voting against it. 

But as I say, I won't need to, because it's not going to happen.

I remember it because - as we know very well - politicians are mostly idiots and will eventually do something that crassly stupid. I also remember it because I suggested in his comments section that we have a bet on his prediction, payable on him being proven wrong ... which he most certainly will be at some point. Probably sooner rather than later. He politely declined.

So, by Tom Harris's assessment, we can now safely say that the idiots currently in charge of Jersey are officially 'crazy'.

Smoking in homes and cars could be banned under proposals being discussed by Jersey's health department.

Well, fancy that!

Senator Sarah Ferguson was among those to voice concern about a move to "dictate what you do in your own home".

As if that is ever going to be a persuasive argument against the kind of knuckle-dragging, self-aggrandising berk who infests parliaments across the (supposedly developed) world in the 21st century.

Yes, I know that - unlike credulous Tom - we very wise jewel robbers saw this coming a long time ago and are not remotely surprised at the increasing insanity of anti-smoking hysteria, but I thought I'd mention it anyway.

* Tom's blog was closed down after pressure from the control freaks at Labour HQ, but the link - for the record - used to be here.