Does Anyone Oppose This Bill?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2013/09/tory-mps-ban-burqa-bill-reaches-parliament

/// The bill states that "a person wearing a garment or other object intended by the wearer as its primary purpose to obscure the face in a public place shall be guilty of an offence." It adds that "where members of the public are licensed to access private premises for the purposes of the giving or receiving of goods or services, it shall not be an offence for the owner...to request that a person wearing a garment or other object intended to obscure the face remove such garment or object; or to require that a person refusing a request...leave the premises." ///

I look forward to the debate both on here and also in Parliament.

[woofgang]

While I can see the reasoning behind this, there are many reasons for wanting to obscure one's face and most of them should not be illegal.

[Baldric]

Gets my Vote.

[anotheoldgit]

woofgang

/// While I can see the reasoning behind this, there are many reasons for wanting to obscure one's face and most of them should not be illegal. ///

Can you point out some examples please?

[pixie373]

Yes, that makes sense to me

[hc4361]

Somebody with severe facial deformities, such as removal of nose and eye socket due to cancer may prefer to keep one's face covered in public.

[anotheoldgit]

hc4361

Well that is obvious, but woofgang said there were many but failed to give all the examples.

[THECORBYLOON]

Anyone wearing a crash helmet, walking toward or away from a motorbike would be guilty of an offence.

[THECORBYLOON]

Ignore that since it would not be the primary reason.

[THECORBYLOON]

Then again, there is no requirement to wear a helmet when not riding a motorbike so it could be argued either way.

[Butterbun]

It would get my vote.

[sandyRoe]

It wouldn't get mine. Imagine a modest young Muslin woman who hitherto had been wearing the veil. She might well become a recluse and refuse to leave her home if she felt she was being forced to flaunt herself in front of all and sundry.

[Butterbun]

Oh Sandyroe, showing her face is hardly 'flaunting' as the rest of her from neck to ankles would be well covered up.

[sandyRoe]

Such behaviour may not be 'flaunting' to the eye of a decadent Westerner but others have higher standards.

[hc4361]

Security guards carrying cash to/from banks etc wear full face helmets.

[mallyh]

i support it (didn't it work in france )

[THECORBYLOON]

The Bill allows an exemption " (e) for the purposes of art, leisure or entertainment" as walking is a leisure activity, a woman wearing a veil would be able to carry on walking down the street.

[Frank97]

I think it's a good idea!

[DaisyNonna]

Higher standards?
Different standards.
I hope you never look a female in the face, otherwise double standards.

[hc4361]

That exemption wouldn't apply to walking - a veil is not essential equipment for that particular leisure activity