Should we be another EU country to ban the burka?

[anotheoldgit]

http://tinyurl.com/2eyzcdg

Tory MP Philip Hollobone is trying to get a member's private bill through parliament to ban the wearing of the burka in this country,

Apparently a Muslim women wanted to see him at his surgery, but he told her to either remove the burka of write him a letter.

[IggyB]

legislation should not be used to dictate what people can and cannot wear - i think this is a case for the "thin end of the wedge" argument. No matter the popular dislike for these items people should not welcome / encourage the development of a police state and the erosion of our hard won and protected british freedoms... freedoms that we should all remember people have fought and died for throughout our history - don't throw them away so casually!

[12thPaladin]

IggyB
Would you object to people walking the streets dressed as nazi's or kkk members?

[anotheoldgit]

IggyB

/// erosion of our hard won and protected british freedoms... freedoms that we should all remember people have fought and died for throughout our history - don't throw them away so casually! ///

Isn't it strange that the only people to gain advantage from the 'Great British Tolerance', those so called 'British freedoms' we hear so much about, and Good Old British Fair Play'.

Are the 'foreigners' themselves.


.

[IggyB]

12th - that's an odd question... i guess it would depend on why they were wearing them, is it a bad taste fancy dress party or a racist rally? Its probably morally objectionable but should it be illegal to dress up as a nazi at a fancy dress party or when going to a showing of the sound of music etc.

AOG - I think we all benefit from living in this country, I know I have and I'm sure you have too if you think about it. I've said it lots of time but while the UK is not perfect its pretty damn good and in my opinion the best country in the world to live in.

[12thPaladin]

Iggy b

Don't you find the Burka morally objectionable?
Does it not represent the subjugation of women?

[jno]

No. This is a free country. And he should not be refusing to meet constituents, which is his job.

From the Telegraph files: "Philip Hollobone claimed monthly mortgage interest of £1,829 on designated second home in London in 2007-08."

[askyourgran]

IggB I think you miss the point, we object to people covering their faces in public places. However religious/ugly they are it is not mandatory to wear the burka, to me it is false modesty. It is also, to some, a sign of the oppression of women by this particular religious people.

[IggyB]

I find them a little silly but have no objections to them if thats how someone chooses to dress. And really I think the the idea that women are forced to wear them has been exaggerated - not saying it doesn't happen but don't think its a very wide spread problem.

Do you object to all face coverings e.g. balaclavas, motorbike helmets, fancy dress monster masks - I only ask because how would you propose to word legislation banning the burka alone?

[12thPaladin]

I cant think of any establishment, particularly a bank / P.O, that would be happy if you strolled in wearing a balaclava, motorcycle helmet or monster mask. Can you?

[jno]

if you own a bank, you can ban what you like. This is about public places.

[12thPaladin]

Security still being an issue. Street crime in general.

[sp1814]

How many burkha-clad women have a) robbed a bank and/or b) been convicted of 'street crime'?

...say in the past 10 years.

Is it zero, or a much higher figure?

[12thPaladin]

http://www.telegraph....hunted-by-police.html

http://www.independen...hop-raid-1965191.html

http://www.timesonlin...me/article1415300.ece

http://theopinionator...nd-mandate-for-m.html

http://www.dailymail....sed-Muslim-dress.html

http://www.iengage.or...g-of-stephen-timms-mp

Google results for "crime, burka" page one.

[sp1814]

Well that's ME told then!

[tinkie]

YES

[12thPaladin]

Ok, a hackneyed OP; Sure jno and sp have played me but I'm happy to trot out the obvious.