Rant: The festive war on fun
17 Dec 2004 by Paul Davies
The festive period is a notoriously fun time of year. It is a fact not lost on the government.As a natural human recourse, people having fun is a golden money-making opportunity.
However, this year revellers should beware, lest their bacchanalian enjoyment breaches government regulations. The Home Office has set out strict new measures to cash in on Christmas cheer.
Crapulent souls painting the pavement with regurgitated Christmas kebabs and impatient individuals watering the trees are to be hit with instant £80 fines to be imposed by the unfortunate members of Her Majesty's Police Force.
A similar crackdown in the summer resulted in 5,600 arrests. The Christmas campaign should find plenty more victims however, as the number of city centres to be covered has doubled in order to wish a very merry Christmas to the Chancellor's coffers.
This yuletide division of the 'War on Fun' will police England and Wales between 17th December and 3rd January. It was initially intended to include Scotland as well, but this was quickly dismissed on grounds of utter futility.
