Symbolic Proposals in the King’s Speech Could Cause Real Damage
18 July 2024
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In the Media
Daniel Freeman writes for The Times
18 July 2024
In the Media
IEA research referenced in This Is Money
19 July 2024
Economic Theory
11 November 2024
Matthew Lesh writes for City AM
IEA Director of Public Policy and Communications Matthew Lesh has written for City AM criticising symbolic but potentially damaging proposals in the King’s Speech.
Matthew wrote:
“Symbolic gestures are not always a good idea. In fact, they can just as easily distract from meaningful change and impose significant new costs.
“The King’s Speech was not short of this sort of symbolism. A striking example is plans to create a new offence against drink spiking. It is a heinous act to put alcohol or drugs into someone’s drink without their consent. The new government wants to signal that they’re ‘doing something’ about the issue.
“The obvious question is, why has it taken so long to make spiking illegal? Because it’s already outlawed. Prosecutors can and do use several existing legal options, including offences against the person, sexual offences, and common law assault, to achieve justice. It’s therefore entirely unclear what creating a new offence is meant to achieve.
“The same applies to Martyn’s Law. This emotive policy, named after victim of the Manchester Arena terrorist attack, imposes expansive terrorist risk assessment and training requirements on any venue with a capacity of 100 or above.”
Read Matthew’s full piece here.
Matthew wrote:
“Symbolic gestures are not always a good idea. In fact, they can just as easily distract from meaningful change and impose significant new costs.
“The King’s Speech was not short of this sort of symbolism. A striking example is plans to create a new offence against drink spiking. It is a heinous act to put alcohol or drugs into someone’s drink without their consent. The new government wants to signal that they’re ‘doing something’ about the issue.
“The obvious question is, why has it taken so long to make spiking illegal? Because it’s already outlawed. Prosecutors can and do use several existing legal options, including offences against the person, sexual offences, and common law assault, to achieve justice. It’s therefore entirely unclear what creating a new offence is meant to achieve.
“The same applies to Martyn’s Law. This emotive policy, named after victim of the Manchester Arena terrorist attack, imposes expansive terrorist risk assessment and training requirements on any venue with a capacity of 100 or above.”
Read Matthew’s full piece here.
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