Christopher Snowdon

How to fight back against the nanny state

(Photo: Getty)

Have you ever noticed that there is no pressure group for people who want the government to leave them alone? On the face of it, this is strange because a lot of people want the government to leave them alone and there seems to be a pressure group for everything.

There are organisations entirely devoted to agitating for political action against drinking, gambling, smoking, sugar consumption and even infant formula. And yet there are millions of people who use these products and would like to continue doing so without further interference from the government. Nanny state policies are popular with some people, including with a few people who use the product and want to cut down, but the majority of consumers would prefer it if their favourite activities were not taxed, excessively regulated or banned.

Get Britain's best politics newsletters

Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.

Already a subscriber? Log in

Comments

Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.

Already a subscriber? Log in