Hooray! This is why I like the Lib Dems. They've just voted at their spring conference to decriminalise use for all drugs (even heroin) on the basis that it doesn't help. And they'll consider going further on soft drugs. Bless.
Easy for them to say, there isnt much chance of the getting elected and having to put it into practise. Of course thats a circular argument as by saying stuff like this they damage thier election chances.
It'll be a few years yet before the votes that can be picked up from young people on this issue outweigh the middle class people who will never vote for decriminalisation of drugs.
Actually they voted for legalisation of cannnabis (not decriminalisation, which is what they have in Holland) and an end to prison sentences for possession. And to make hard drugs prescribable under mumble circumstances. They don't need to get elected to sway the other parties, as Labour have to consider their own policies to avoid losing votes to the Lib Dems (and increasing the number of Tory seats).
Err, thats what I said (from a different perspective). It's easy for them to say it as they wont have to do it, so its a posture for influence rather than a serious policy, IYSWIM? :o)
I'm not sure that's an or. If they genuinly would do it if they got in (and I think they would) then it's a serious policy on their part whether or not they are actually likely to get in but it is also useful as it brings it into the debate and forces the other parties to consider their positions on this issue
Yeah - I think I heard a very early news report which confused me :) With any luck, this will at least fire up the debate again and force the other parties to consider their positions.
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Date: March 12th, 2002 02:03 am (UTC)From:It'll be a few years yet before the votes that can be picked up from young people on this issue outweigh the middle class people who will never vote for decriminalisation of drugs.
C'est la vie.
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Date: March 12th, 2002 09:50 am (UTC)From:no subject
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Date: March 12th, 2002 03:48 pm (UTC)From: