New law says be nice to the military...

Further enhancing mindless speculation that the UK is to become no more than a bleak dystopia controlled by venomous army brats, gun-toting police officers, and the idiots in Parliament is the news that it will soon be illegal for public institutions such as shops, hospitals, and bars to discriminate against uniformed military personnel.

The bill that was passed as part of an initiative by Gordon Brown and Ed Balls is just one of 40 recommendations that have been designed to promote greater protection and understanding of the armed forces. Another initiative is the promotion of the cadet forces in schools.

The move comes after it was revealed that a uniformed member of army personnel was refused entry to Harrods last year. Other incidents have involved officers at Birmingham airport having to change into their civvies before walking through the arrivals lounge, and yet others being shouted at by people in the streets.

We gotta say that it certainly seems a little unfair to discriminate against army personnel. The bodies that govern them may make a few mistakes from time to time, but the soldiers themselves are hard-working young men and ladies. Surely not all institutions can be so callous as to discriminate against them on a regular basis? Perhaps it just boils down to the snobbery of places like Harrods, which have never exactly been down with the masses anyway.

The government's proposals essentially build up towards changing public perceptions of the UK armed forces. Recent reports have shown that there are low recruitment levels at present and that something needs to be done about it...

Might as well start by forcing people to like them.

Photo: Flickr

Written by Oli Anderson on 20 May 2008 11:03 AM. Permalink