As the title says, going Dutch is so, so simple and the letter I received today from a Dutch lady (Anna) explains things the way they should be, the way that would save our financially strapped government a small fortune and keep the good nature of the British people onside. For the purists of the written word, well, you will have to forgive Anna she writes as she sees things-and in her best English!
To members of the British Government”-from a resident under the Dutch Government
Dear Members of Parliament,
This letter is written in the knowledge that some members of the British Parliament are willing to look again at the law also known as the smoking ban in the catering business.
I presume you know that Dutch parliament overturned the law from 2008 which was almost as strict as the ban in the UK.
This brought much relieve to the entertainment business and to the customers of small pubs. A pub now has a freedom to choose to go smoke free or the other way around.
Our government has also withdrawn funds from the stivoro The equal to your ASH, stating that Holland is not a nanny state to be governed by institutions which only purpose seems to be to keep themselves in place. We had some incidents here where Stivoro made claims that where far from true. I know a little bit about the ASH and it makes me shiver. For members of parliament not only the beginning of a movement should be clear (ASH) but also when it is time to cut back on their power. They are not chosen by the public. Parliament is!
It is also the sense of freedom that comes with it. A government cannot and should not interfere too much in peoples life.
I know of many folks smokers and non-smokers alike whom are skipping holidays to the UK. One of your great attractions has always been the local pub. A tradition of a community coming together and welcoming to guests Nowadays so many pubs are closed and the social landscape changed so much,one does not feel the same any more as tourist.
All I can wish you is the wisdom and strength to overturn a bill that costs so so many pubs to close, so many jobs to loose and which made so many people loose their centre of community with it.
I see the benefits here in Holland A freedom to choose is of great importance to the feelings of well-being. So I hope I can visit your beautiful country again and can choose whether I want to go to a pub where I can smoke or to another establishment where it is smoke free!
With great regard
Manon Gretha Anna van der sluis
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Netherlands
I have read this letter several times (as you probably will) and the passion, the belief and the directness of this lady cannot be missed in any way, shape or form. Upon a little research ‘Stivoro’ (ASH Netherlands) have been telling porkies just as ASH-UK & ASH-USA have. It seems that the Dutch government have seen through all their OTT rubbish and cut slaughtered their government funding. There is great food for thought in this letter for Manon Gretha Anna van der sluis speaks straight from the heart!