In defence of liberty

I write this on 11th November, 90 years since the signing of the Armistice after the First World War and I wonder what if anything was learnt from that period in time.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th Nov 2008, 09:45 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 20:04 BST

Having been encouraged during my childhood to take part in the Remembrance Day services, as I grew in to my teenage years I developed a strong anti-war belief. The Vietnam War the Cold War and the CND movement were all influential. With that belief went the dismissal of such events as Poppy Day as something else which glorified war.

However as I have grown older I look on Remembrance Day as just that, in the perhaps vain hope, that the folly of war will one day be realised by everyone. I was therefore proud to be able to lay a wreath of poppies at the memorial in Etchingham on Sunday. As the Brownies laid the crosses, one for each of the local boys who lost their lives in conflict, I heard names which are still very local and familiar to this area. I also couldn't help hoping that today's young people will continue to question the need for wars.

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The evidence of the horrors is so much more available today with daily broadcasts on television and radio, but this country continues to send soldiers to fight others' wars and to manufacture arms to enable the process to continue.

I understand that ultimately this is all about Liberty but in defending ones own liberty there are limits and one person's action in defence, so often constrains another's liberty.

In our day to day lives our liberty is often constrained by the action of others, not least by those who set out to have a good time in our town centres on Saturday and Sunday evenings and finish up being drunk and disorderly. If I am in town for an evening event I find crowds behaving in this manner intimidating. There is too much liberty in this case.

Regulation and moderation is called for here. This type of behaviour is not acceptable. Liberal Democrats this week have put forward a number of simple proposals including calling a halt to irresponsible drink promotions by introducing a minimum price for alcohol, putting an end to the sale of alcohol to children and giving protection to Accident & Emergency staff by fining disruptive drunks in hospital A&E departments.

These are not expensive measures but are a step towards encouraging people to take responsibility for not only their own liberty but also that of others.