Dog Days on Downing Street
Labour’s U-turn on the issue of dangerous dogs marks the start of pre-election snap policy changes, and the predictable war of words that will follow.
Last week, following a number of tragic incidents in recent years, Labour made the first steps to try and combat the problem of dangerous dogs being kept in family environments. Regrettably, the proposed change in policy, which involved all owners of certain breeds being required to take out mandatory insurance, was clumsy and poorly thought out.
It is hard to envisage how an insurance claim would have saved the life of children like John-Paul Massey, who was tragically mauled to death by his uncle’s dog in Liverpool last December. Also, as Labour have been forced to admit today, the new ruling would have unfairly penalised responsible dog owners. The apparently knee-jerk reaction has now provoked an embarrassing climbdown. The Tories have been quick to leap on the reversed decision, describing it as a “humiliating U-turn”.
In reality, the situation is not that simple. To see an idea emerge, apparently aimed at resolving a serious social issue, only to be dissolved less than a week later is disappointing. More frustrating however is the nagging feeling that it was perhaps never that legitimate a policy in the first place. The months leading up to an election are littered with stories such as this; there is a feeling that the ruling party are floating ideas to test their popularity with voters.
Just months before a general election must be called, even the most confident of leaders cannot be certain that a suggested policy change will come to fruition - and Gordon Brown cannot be all that confident at present. This frustrating spectacle may well be repeated ad nauseum in the coming weeks, with Labour looking to catch voter interest, and risking handing David Cameron easy victories, as he enjoys the position of having only to criticise the status quo at present.
Ultimately, policy decisions made in the last throes of government do not appear to have a sweeping effect on voters either way - the Conservative government was returned to power in 1992 despite widespread revulsion at the proposed introduction of something called ’council tax’. Sadly, the people for whom this kind of political posturing does a real disservice are the children and families who have been affected by the growing popularity and poor regulation of dangerous dogs. Here’s hoping that once the election battlefield has cleared, the matter is finally given the serious attention it deserves.
Nic’s surprise pre-wedding weekend: I think I know what we should sort out. We should arrange some time at that italy skiing resort that she loves as a surprise. I know that it is a little bit steep, but I think that it would be a great thing to do for her, after all this may be the last time that all of us from college can get together as single people.
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