Utopia is a long way off

10:15am Wednesday 9th July 2008

READING the comments of Paul Smith on the kind of society he would like to see I'm sure all decent, law-abiding, respectful citizens of this once great country would wholeheartedly agree with him.

Unfortunately Mr Smith is making the mistake of wanting to build his Utopia from the wrong starting point (you can't erect a building starting from the second floor) so before he could get our youngsters into worthwhile, energetic forms of recreation, which would also include parents, and, by necessity, involve respect and discipline, there are one or two obstacles that would have to be overcome.

There are a minority of people in this country that, by their actions, manage to scare this Government witless.

I refer, of course, to the do gooders', the compensation culture vultures', the human rights league' and of course the politically correct brigade'.

Until we get rid of that motley lot we cannot hope to build a decent society. And whilst we are about it let us reflect on the fact that prison isn't a deterrent'. You're damn right it isn't, so let's make it one.

At the moment it seems that every day the newspapers are reporting another death caused by some hooligan with a knife. Well, how about 10 years in prison for anyone found carrying a knife without a reasonable explanation; no time off for good behaviour or admitting the fact, then see how long it takes for the message to get through.

Just to square the circle, how about bringing back capital punishment for certain types of murder, deporting immediately (without red tape) all illegal immigrants and asylum seekers guilty of committing any crime.

If we made the above rules a starting point perhaps Mr Smith would one day realise his dreams, but what Government would have the guts to implement these suggestions?

John B Holland, Alvechurch

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