It was late in 2007 as I sat ruminating over the decline in pub trade in my local, The Duke Of York in Crediton, Devon. As it goes, I actually lived over 8 miles away and had to commute, but that’s a story for another post. 

We knew it was coming of course, Tony Blair and the European Fascist Community had seen to that back in July with the ban on smoking in public places. I was incensed enough to take up the mighty quill and pen this missive to the Sunday Times editor, showing my disgust at this flagrant abuse of human rights. It was shortlisted but sadly never made the Final Cut. 

The letter did not mention a salient point regarding the date of said intervention; 1st July, the 91st anniversary of The Battle of the Somme, where so many Tommies lost their lives to protect future generations from tyranny and to protect their personal freedoms in the name of democracy. 

So, when did we have this vote on whether to instigate this ban? I rest my case ……