Desperate Johnson’s hate-fuelled ‘bonfire’

United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he wants to make a ‘bonfire’ of laws on the country’s statute books dating from the time when it was a member of the European Union.

This comes just a few days after his threat to replace the UK’s Human Rights Act which is based on — you guessed it — the European Convention on Human Rights.

Faced with the scandal over lockdown parties at 10 Downing Street, and with a poll showing he could well lose his seat if an election were held now, Johnson has reverted to Europe-bashing type, hoping it will energise the EU-hating voters who kept him in power in 2019.

Johnson has long shown that retaining power is his single priority, in pursuit of which he is willing to lie, sacrifice all scruples, and discard every shred of honour.

However, the destruction of essential laws, simply because they bear the taint of the EU, will threaten communities and individuals alike, as well as further damage the UK’s standing in the world.

It is no coincidence that all this is to be combined in the so-called Brexit Freedoms Bill. Johnson has become big on freedoms, latching on to the Populist war cry during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As usual, the Prime Minister has been short on detail of what might constitute his EU ‘bonfire’ except to say they will be of laws that are ‘outdated’.

Outdated laws are often removed from the statute books, but they are usually those that go back decades and even centuries, such as a ban on MPs wearing armour in Parliament, or eating mince pies on Christmas Day.

However, legislation initiated during the time when the UK was an EU member is unlikely to be so redundant.

One such piece from a few years back, which I have often quoted, was a ban on the use of  lead in plumbing, which had the right-wing press of the day up in arms, presumably demanding the ‘freedom’ to expose the nation to the risk of lead poisoning.

Now, more than ever, there is an absolute need for a society based on the rule of law.

The Ukraine War is a daily example of human rights violations that are met with bland indifference or a simple denial they are taking place. Atrocities once thought to be safely outlawed are now routinely committed.

In a functioning democracy rules are introduced for a purpose. If they are seriously questioned there are methods and challenges for their removal, ultimately though the ballot box. 

This is something to be cherished and protected — not violated in order to prop up a failing political career.