Goverment response to the Firework petition

[Lonnie]

Is this surprising?, and what a load of claptrap.

I've stopped signing them.

http://www.pm.gov.uk:80/output/Page14544.asp

[cruella]

Hi Lonnie,
I received notification via an email today with the outcome of the petition.
I, like yourself, signed it last year.
I am so disappointed with the response.
Total waste of time, so I too, will not be signing any more petitions.
Regards to your family.
Hug to that lovely young lady too.

[Lonnie]

Thanks Cruella,
Thats lovely, and you got it.

My best wishes also to yourself and your husband.

[jno]

the response doesn't seem too unreasonable to me, though obviously not the one you wanted. The terms of the petition itself seem rather OTT ('Children, in the main, insist on annoying and terrifying elderly people and pets' - is that really true?) and the government have decided not to interfere on what people do with their time. Given the degree to which they usually order us around, I find that quite refreshing.

[Ice.Maiden]

I agree that fireworks are often bought by youngsters (and some adults) who use them dangerously, but the government's taking away EVERYthing we enjoy, bit by bit. We always have a bonfire party (and yes, we have quite a lot of animals, who're not bothered by them), and act responsibly, so until we simply can't, we'll continue to buy them every single year.

[leelapops]

Hi Lonnie, I couldn't agree more! Every year, from around September in this area, loud fireworks are consistently set off at completely unpredictable times (lunchtime firework display, anyone?) It drives me mad, and worse than that, really upsets our Collie. The govt. response is utter fluff. The measures they have introduced, almost 4 years ago, have had little impact on the situation, and I can't see it improving.
Cruella, isn't it disappointing? Does Misty get upset at fireworks too? How are things?
I wouldn't mind if the majority of fireworks were set off on and around Bonfire night, New Year's etc., when we could expect them.

I really love fireworks, and firework displays, and it's a shame I can't really visit them any more. I also know that a lot of animals aren't bothered by the noise and visual displays. However, from a personal POV this is an unfortunate result.
jno, I couldn't answer for old people as I haven't asked any, but the chaos that ensues round here from October to January tells me that the petition's wording isn't overstating the case, in my experience.

[IggyB]

you made your point - just becuase the majority of people and thus the govt doesn't agree with you doesn't mean that you shouldn't get involved in the future, democracy is meant to be a dialogue...

maybe next time a petition is started the language used could be controlled to produce a more reliable response e.g. in questionnaires the producers try to avoid bias questions so that the result can be more trustworthy

[Bewlay Bros]

Have you ever read any of the rejected petitions on the site?

Great reading.

[Lonnie]

It wasn't that it was rejected, it was the reasons they gave, about taking away freedoms, which in actual fact, they are doing more and more, so it smacked mightily of Goverment hypocrisy.

[cruella]

Leelapops
Yes, Misty does get upset at the noise of fireworks.
Lots of my frined's dogs actually have to be tranquillised because of the loud bangs.
I personally do not want people's entertainment spoiled, but it ought to be one night of the only.
It goes on for months before and weeks afterwards.
It is not the actual fireworks I object to, mostly the noise, but fireworks can be dangerous too.
A young lad died last year in Scotland due to a firework being thrown in his face.
As I said, if it was one night of the year, fine, but they go on and on. The parenst of that young lad lost their Son needlessly.

[jno]

actually, I think the government is right: it's greatly decreased. Only 3 or 4 years ago the fireworks seemed to run from August to Christmas, at least near me; now it's down to a week or so (which includes Diwali). I don't know if anyone else has found the same?

[Lonnie]

Hi jno,
I think the goverment is wrong.
Fireworks are explosive,

dangerous and deadly, as has been proved time and time again.

I think they should only be sold to people who are licenced, that way, those people have to take responsibilty.


Where I live, some even let them off on Birthdays now, next it'll be Christenings and Weddings, and any other excuse to let them off.