Articles

Comment

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?

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

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

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

Comment

Is banning the burqa compatible with freedom and democracy? Monday February 1, 2010 We may not be comfortable with the choices people make, says Karen McTigue, but we must protect their right to make them

Features

Health Bill: peers urged to say no to denormalisation Tuesday April 28, 2009 The government’s plans to ban the point of sale display of tobacco and outlaw cigarette vending machines are the latest steps towards a bully state, says Neil Rafferty

Features

Denormalisation: the threat to democracy Thursday April 2, 2009 What chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson and his ilk are saying, says Simon Hills, is that in order to be a part of society, we have to be just like them

Features

The politics of modern liberty Thursday March 26, 2009 On reflection, The Free Society’s Brian Monteith offers qualified support for last month’s Convention on Modern Liberty

Features

Body and soul: the changing face of higher education Tuesday March 24, 2009 Universities are failing in their duty to defend individual freedom and are becoming more like schools, says Dennis Hayes