The Signs Of A (Failing) Dictatorship

...can see seen in the illiberal and unnecessary laws they try to pass in their dying days.

MPs will debate plans for some of the world's toughest anti-tobacco laws on Tuesday. Rishi Sunak wants to make Generation Alpha, born since 2009, the UK's first smoke-free generation in a major public health intervention.

Anyone turning 15 from this year would be banned from buying cigarettes under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which also makes vapes less appealing to children.

At least that has the small virtue of proven harm. But adulthood should confer the ability to take risks with one's health should one wish.

The creation of sexually explicit "deepfake" images is to be made a criminal offence in England and Wales under a new law, the government says. Under the legislation, anyone making explicit images of an adult without their consent will face a criminal record and unlimited fine. It will apply regardless of whether the creator of an image intended to share it, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said.

That this is how a so-called 'Conservative' government should choose to spend it's last days in office is embarassing for our country. 

TfL: "We're An Unbeatable Laughing Stock With Our 'Sexual Staring' Poster Campaign!"

Aussie nightclub: "Hold our spiked drink, cobber!"

An iconic nightclub will introduce hi-vis 'staring police' who will kick out revellers if they look longingly at a stranger across the dancefloor without prior 'verbal consent'.

*blinks* 

Long-established venue Club 77 in the heart of Sydney's Darlinghurst party strip has overhauled its safety and harassment policy to make the venue a 'safe space' that promotes a strong culture of consent amid a crackdown against harassment.

The venue stresses interaction with strangers is encouraged but says engagement must now start with prior verbal consent or will otherwise be considered as harassment and will result in being evicted from the club.

What happened to you, Australia..? Where did you lose your way? 

'We adopt a policy of 'always believe the report' in cases of harassment and feeling unsafe.'

We've all seen where that leads. Why can't you? 

You Have Got To Be Kidding...

Female police officers in London could be told to...

Pull their weight better? 

...wear hairnets again, as an incoming chief says a smart uniform plays a key part in public confidence in the force.

*blinks* WTAF..? 

Dame Lynne Owens, who takes over as deputy commissioner next month, criticised 'inconsistent hairstyles worn on duty' and suggested that standards of dress for all serving officers in the Met would be examined.

Christ, wasn't Cressida Dick bad enough? We have to have this mad bint in the (thankfully temporary) hotseat to trash what's left of the Met's reputation?

If that's even possible... 

The force is currently in special measures due 'systemic' failings, officers were found to have shared 'grossly offensive' messages in a WhatsApp group with Wayne Couzens and recently a mother recorded one officer telling her 'I'd like to search you'.

When Dame Lynne posted the photo, a user questioned her priorities, to which she replied: 'I honestly believe the two are connected. Of course the primary measure is public service.'

No, the primary measure is to root out the bad apples who see being a police officer as a fast route to ripping off the public.