A little common sense, coming from Britain – calls to change smacking laws

“As usual, a little common sense, coming from Britain. ” – Ruby Harrold-Claesson

Two articles:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2093223/Labour-MP-David-Lammy-Smacking-ban-led-riots.html

‘Labour MP: Smacking ban led to riots because parents fear children will be taken away if they discipline them’
* Tottenham MP David Lammy calls for return to Victorian laws on discipline
* Parents are ‘no longer sovereign in their own homes’

By Simon Walters

Last updated at 11:32 AM on 29th January 2012

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The ban on smacking children must be overturned to help prevent a repeat of last summer´s riots, according to a senior Labour MP.

Former Education Minister David Lammy, who represents the Tottenham area of North London where the disturbances started, says working-class parents need to be able to discipline their children physically to deter them from joining gangs and getting involved in knife crime.

Calling for a return to the Victorian laws on discipline, Mr Lammy said parents were `no longer sovereign in their own homes´
and lived under constant fear that social workers would take away their children if they chastised them.

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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/9048654/Boris-Johnson-backs-calls-for-parents-to-be-allowed-to-smack-their-children.html

Boris Johnson Photo: GEOFF PUGH

The Telegraph

‘Boris Johnson backs calls for parents to be allowed to smack their children’

Boris Johnson has supported calls for a change in the law to allow parents to smack their children to instil discipline in their homes.

By Murray Wardrop

9:52AM GMT 30 Jan 2012

The Mayor of London said the current system left families feeling “anxious” that they would face prosecution if they attempted to impose authority over their children.

Mr Johnson spoke after the Tottenham MP David Lammy claimed Labour’s 2004 decision to tighten up the smacking law was partly to blame for last summer’s riots, which erupted in his north
London constituency.