Queens speech
by Lynne Miles // 3 December 2008, 18:02
The Queen's speech today contained the government's legislative agenda for the next year. Amongst economic measures to help with the banking and housing crisis, and some shonky-looking proposal to subject benefits claimants to lie detector tests (wtf?!), there will be legislation proposed to reclassify lap-dancing clubs as sex establishments for licensing purposes. Currently they are licensed in the same way as cafes.
This legislation has been campaigned for by Object and Fawcett amongst others. Have a look at Object's Stripping the Illusion campaign for more.
Also included will be a new equalities bill, to "promote fairness, fight discrimination and introduce transparency in the workplace to address the pay gap between men and women".
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Ruth // Posted 03 December 2008 at 19:50
Something in me is boggling at the idea of HM The Queen talking about lap-dancing clubs...
Lynne Miles // Posted 04 December 2008 at 02:36
I hadn't even thought of that. I can't decide if that's horrifying or hilarious?!
Shea // Posted 04 December 2008 at 12:02
Something rankles-- having the Queen, perhaps the most priviledged woman on the planet, talk about the economic downturn on "hardworking families" and the need for frugality, through these "difficult times". Somehow I don't think she's going to be greatly affected.
Lynne Miles // Posted 04 December 2008 at 16:05
Unless, of course, she's taken out a sub-prime mortgage on Buck House?
Ruth // Posted 04 December 2008 at 16:51
Shea, you do realise that the "Queen's Speech" is actually the government's speech: she didn't write it, has no input into it at all, and reads it purely as a matter of form and tradition. If you want to talk privilege, pretty much any MP, down to the most fervent lefty, would do just as well.
Aimee // Posted 07 December 2008 at 11:39
Lie detector tests are deemed to unreliable to use in courts, because they're essentially bullshit and subject to all kinds of external variables.... but it's okay to use them to catch those nasty benefit theives??!! Oh dear.