But it has to be admitted that in introducing it Nick has revealed a schism in the Liberal Democrats.
For, reaching for an example of an absurd law, he said:
I’ve just discovered for instance, would you believe it, that there’s still an old law in the statute book that says it’s an offence if you don’t report a grey squirrel in your own back garden.As the FT Blog pointed out, as a former press officer for Cairngorms National Park, Danny Alexander is unlikely to take this relaxed view of grey squirrels. That park, you see, is a haven for reds.
But it is far worse than that.
Last year we wrote about involvement of the Lib Dem peer Rupert Redesdale in the Red Squirrel Protection Partnership. This aims to protect and restore the population of red squirrels in the North East of England by eradicating greys.
The last we heard of Redesdale's partner Paul Parker, he was selling greys to "top chefs" in the South of England.
What does Nick say to that?
You're not allowed to sell a grey squirrel! Someone needs to inform the proper authorities... or put that on the repeal list too! ;)
ReplyDeleteWhen I were a lad (in the 1950s) you could collect sixpence or a shilling - can't remember which - for handing in tails of grey squirrels you'd shot with your air gun. Is this still available, I wonder? If so, has the price been index-linked? And, if not, why not??
ReplyDeleteThis comment is rather too late I know, but I have been on holiday and am only just cathing up.
ReplyDeleteAnyway you rather misunderstand Rupert (and his actual name is Mitford, not Redesdale, it all starts to make sense eventually). He would almost certainly agree with Nik on this law as it infringes on people natural liberty by giving them unesacery duties to the state.
A law that says it’s an offence if you don’t kill a grey squirrel in your own back garden, now that would be quite another matter.