TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGING ?

I never cease to be amazed by the capacity of our Government to propose changes that are neither wanted nor required.

Apparently, we are to be graced with a 'tourism strategy' which will include a plan to adjust clocks in the UK to the same time as in a large part of Europe. This will produce darker mornings and lighter evenings, and is supported by the tourism industry and so-called 'safety campaigners'. The Scots, however, are not convinced, but 'Dave' is reported to be in favour.

The questions that arise from this idea are legion. Given that the tourism industry does not actually have a role in electing our Government, why should said Government take any notice of them ? Regarding, 'safety campaigners' who are undoubtedly a nebulous band of do-gooders with no right to speak for the majority, the Government has no business treating their pleadings any more favourably than those of any others.

Why should our Government change our clocks to match those of other European states ? Britain is the centre of world time keeping, with the international meridian set at Greenwich; what lunacy would it be to deny our own heritage ? 'Safety campaigners' claim that the proposed change would reduce road accidents; how ? Darker mornings, when people are generally more sleepy and less alert, will surely lead to more accidents, not less. In the far north, mornings will still be dark at a time when people are well on their way to work, even in summer.

Lighter evenings will cause people difficulty in getting to sleep and there will be more disturbance in the streets; there will be more drunkenness. More people will stay up too late and not be fit for work the next day; there will be more absenteeism. Those who want this change will not admit this, but then why would they ? They've decided what they want and that's that.

Are people not able to arise at a sensible hour and adjust their behaviour to the natural clock ? What idiocy is it for Government to try to meddle with a natural feature of our lives in this way ? What is to stop people, and business, from adjusting their working hours according to the time of the year, without needing to change the clock ?

Doesn't the Government have more important things to occupy itself with, or is this a useful diversionary issue ? Whatever the reasons for this stupid proposal, it should be kicked into the long grass forthwith.