Matt Kilcoyne

Why I won’t miss Britain’s ‘chief nanny’ when she’s gone

It’s time to say goodbye to Britain’s so-called Chief Nanny, Dame Sally Davies. In her final report as Chief Medical Officer, Davies shows why she won’t be missed. She proposes a ban on eating or drinking anything other than water on trains and buses. Davies also suggests that nothing fatty or sugary should be available to buy at certain sports stadiums. Goodbye matchday pies or a pint at the rugby.

Dame Sally’s job is to focus on a narrow idea of health. But this remit is blind to a simple reality: most of us want to live a life that we think is worthwhile. Sometimes that means throwing caution and kale to the wind, downing that pint in the pub or sharing sugary popcorn with your kids.

While Davies might scream ‘won’t somebody please think of the children?!’ we should wonder when someone will think of treating adults like adults.

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