Many people are totally disillusioned with politicians. It appears there are so very few of them who are fit for purpose. They are supposed to represent us, the electorate, but instead large numbers of them choose to put the interests of lobby groups ahead of what their constituents desire.
It is refreshing, then, when one of the few who believe in representing their constituents speaks out, and such is the case with Roger Helmer MEP. His words should ring alarm bells with those MPs who believe that they can ride roughshod over those who employ them.
If MPs want the respect of the electorate and to keep their jobs, they have to represent their constituents instead of lobby groups like ASH, whose advice is costing this country £billions in lost revenue due to job losses, smuggling and the lawful importing of tobacco. This is at a time when our country needs every penny and every job is vital.
Roger Helmer will never agree with a large number of smokers, but his honesty and his stance will at least go toward earning a little respect for himself and for the few politicians who believe in true democracy for all of the electorate.
Responding on his blog ‘Straight Talking’ to the news that Health Minister Andrew Lansley said he hoped the time will come when tobacco companies have no business in the UK, Roger wrote:
This story underlines the deeply illiberal nature of this Coalition government. It is simply not the business of government to seek to close businesses down, nor to stop people doing dangerous things if they choose to do so. Some 25% of my constituents choose to smoke, despite knowing the risks. I wish they wouldn’t. I hate smoking, and I wish no one did it. But I recognise their right to do so, and I don’t recognise any right of government to stop them. Advise, inform, yes. Even hector and preach, if you must. But the persecution of smokers has gone too far for a free country.