kickingtyres

Low-alcohol bubbly is not wine, court rules – Times Online.

I think, within this story, the key quote is from Neil Parish, Chairman of the European Parliament’s agriculture committee.

“Once again the UK has adopted the strictest interpretation of officious European rules which most other EU countries would turn a blind eye to,”

We hear time and again from the Euro-sceptics, how “Europe” is damaging Britain’s life, values and laws, when it’s often Britain’s over-officious attitude to doing things to the letter, and not applying common sense, that does the damage.

In a country that suffers from the regular and accepted social abuse of alcohol, anything that encourages sensible drinking cannot be seen as a bad thing.  However, here, the sense of sensible drinking obviously takes second place to ensuring the right boxes are ticked, and everything is done “by the book”.

I find it slightly ironic that, while the rest of Europe has these same regulations, they can find it within their own legal and regulatory systems, to bend the laws now and again, in the name of preserving their own identity, nationality and common sense.

It’s not the EU that’s eroding “Britishness”, but our desire to follow laws to the letter

BBC NEWS | England | Hampshire | Man refuses to drive ‘No God’ bus.

A Christian bus driver has refused to drive a bus with an atheist slogan proclaiming “There’s probably no God”.

…

First Bus said it would do everything in its power to ensure Mr Heather does not have to drive the buses

I hope First Bus will be as equally accomodating to any atheists who might refuse to drive a bus which features a pro-religion advert, or a vegetarian who objects to an advert for meat.

Poetry group banned from pub by council on health and safety grounds from the Telegraph

The wrong sort of licence?
Banning it is a bit extreme. Recommending they get the right licence, and giving a time limit within to get it would be a more acceptable and practical solution.

You’d think that common sense would  apply, and if they comply with the regulations for a singing/music licence, then it’s not as if the place is a complete firehazard or health and safety nightmare, and some lee-way would be allowed.