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Say No to Big Government

The Free Society has been launched to give a voice to those who want less, not more, government interference in our daily lives ... read more

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The Bully State: another view

Wednesday March 3, 2010

Suzy Dean welcomes The Bully State (“an uncompromising stance on liberty of lifestyle and a rich resource of examples on how government regulation has crept into our private lives”) but wonders whether Brian Monteith’s book is a missed opportunity.

The Bully State is published by The Free Society, price £5.99

Smoking

Ministers can bury their heads in the sand, but the effect of the smoking ban has been devastating

Tuesday March 2, 2010

The government says there is no evidence that the smoking ban has caused the closure of pubs or bars. Patricia Gidlow begs to differ.

Comment

Rules, regulations and old hat

Thursday February 25, 2010

Rules may play a much smaller role than we suppose in health and safety, says Phil Whiteley. So do we really need so many regulations in all areas of our lives?

Free Speech

Internet censorship is the ultimate curtain call for freedom

Tuesday February 23, 2010

The current drive towards internet censorship, emanating from governments across the world, must be resisted if we are truly to be classed as ‘free’, argues Martin Cullip

Comment

In defence of the cigarette break

Tuesday February 16, 2010

Increasing proscription around smoking seems to reflect a materialistic attitude towards human life, as though physical health is the only dimension of health, says (non-smoker) Phil Whiteley

Smoking

Thirdhand smoke fever - another example of prejudice and propaganda

Friday February 12, 2010

Chris Snowdon, author of Velvet Glove Iron Fist: A History of Anti-Smoking, explains the “science” behind the latest anti-smoking scaremongering

Free Speech

Killing thinking: how political correctness taught us what NOT to say

Thursday February 11, 2010

Dennis Hayes offers a guide to the arguments that academics, including students, use to kill open debate and critical thought

News

Tobacco company challenges cigarette vending machine ban

Wednesday February 10, 2010

Government’s decision to ban vending machines is so disproportionate that it must be challenged, says Imperial chief executive Gareth Davies

Comment

The blurred distinction between public and private

Tuesday February 9, 2010

The distinction, if any, between a private and a public space is about to be tested in a Canadian court, reports Martin Cullip, and the outcome will be interesting

Free Speech

Free speech and the court of public opinion: let the people decide

Thursday February 4, 2010

John Terry’s “crime” was not cheating on his wife, says Suzy Dean, but trying to gag the press using a “super-injunction”

Comment

Reflections on a free society - think about it

Wednesday February 3, 2010

The exhortation “Think!” is not just patronising, says Simon Hills, it’s all to do with bossing us around