State interference in religion and homes is out of control - MEP
by Godfrey Bloom
As a libertarian, I was deeply shocked to watch the sad story of the British bed and breakfast couple being prosecuted for refusing a homosexual couple hospitality in their own home. Not a hotel, big or small, but their own home. I wondered how it could be possible in what used to be the most liberal of societies that this could somehow be a criminal offence. Even under the most appalling fascist, communist or theocratic junta this would be considered extreme.
Bear in mind, if you will, this couple had strong religious convictions - unmarried heterosexual couples were not welcome in this couple's home. If the estimable Christian Institute had not stepped in, this unfortunate couple could have seen nearly 50 per cent of their meagre annual profit wiped out by the dreadful and bigoted piece of legislation. Consider it for a moment, regardless of your religious or political persuasion, the state is now telling you who you can or cannot entertain in your home on fear of prosecution.
Most people, I think, including the judge were deeply uncomfortable with this whole legal circus. Back in the 1960s, as a young private solider I was in Catterick Garrison and for the first time saw a Sikh senior non-commissioned officer of 10 Signal Regiment. He was resplendent in his turban with the regimental badge of the Royal Signals proudly at its front. The British Army paradoxically is one of the most liberal of organisations. Live and let live could easily be the motto of the United Kingdom's armed services.
But we seem to have found ourselves almost by accident in an environment where the government can enter almost every facet of our lives. They can take away our children on the advice of 'experts' in secret courts. They extradite us with no prima facie evidence to regimes with failed or failing legal systems and I don't mean Jordan. And they close our businesses using enabling acts and enforcement agencies working completely outside the principles of English Law. The Financial Services Authority, the Financial Ombudsman Service and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to name but three.
It you wish to wear an emblem of faith, cross or crescent, what has it to do with government? What has it to do with the law? A review perhaps of the Bill of Rights and British history by modern politicians, bureaucrats and the judiciary is overdue. The phrase 'an Englishman's home is his castle' was based in law. This is sacrosanct, not something to be tampered with by journeymen politicians of the day.
Especially, those as shallow as we have now; many bred from that appalling 1960s and 1970s generation. I would argue any compassionate nurse or career with a terminally ill patient who advises them to pray, to whichever god might give them spiritual comfort, is the best advice probably available. Let us hope a new day will dawn when we can return to our libertarian roots and government can retreat into the shadows where it belongs.
Godfrey Bloom is a United Kingdom Independence Party MEP and a member of the Economic Affairs Committee in the European Parliament
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Not a hotel? This couple – Peter and Hazelmary Bull – have a home called Chymorvah Hotel but, according to Godfrey, it is not a hotel? That is not accurate. The message is told in this way, I suspect, to confuse those in Europe who do not know the details of this case. This is not a private home, it is a commercial operation and as such it falls under the laws governing discrimination.
Godfrey's other claim that the Bulls did not permit heterosexual unmarried couples to sleep in double rooms is also incorrect – as National Secular Society council member Ray Newton discovered when he checked in with his partner, with no problem whatsoever.
Terry Sanderson - London, UK, National Secular Society
Dear Mr Bloom - the state, a government, is elected by people in a democracy and one of the main duties is to be inclusive of the whole population. Religions express opinions. As such, they are often divisive and contradicting each other. As a member of the European Parliament, you should be acknowledging this difference. I suggest you should talk to your colleagues.
Elio Pennisi - CH, independent market analyst
True, very true. But, the people get what they vote/wish for. Unfortunately, parents today are only interested in themselves and their immediate family. Nothing else matters as long as they are okay. Youngsters and children today are only interested in self-gratification and have no interest in their country, their fellow people, or their future.
It will take a massive, really massive shock to wake the British people up as to what is happening in this country today. But I fear that until unemployment, crime, house repossessions, illegal immigration and so on affects them personally - they will continue to do nothing.
William Spencer - Malta
Good grief - the silly comments of the two people on this excellent article show how deeply ingrained the dreadful political correctness and brainwashing EC has penetrated into our society. Well done Godfrey. You are great and your article is spot on.
Tricia Wales - Arundel, West sussex
The thing here with Chymorvah is that the same sex couple is married under UK law, also they have an advertised business - open to the public - and they discriminated against a pair of customers for how they are born; and who they are, based in religious fiction.
Josh - USA
Why is the Goverment so determined to assist in destroying traditional marriage (the joining together of a man and woman)? Homosexual couples have civil partnerships. Would UKIP if elected, respect religious beliefs? I spoke to the couple running the B&B that would not provide D/B facilities to same sex couples and offered my support. A number of years ago, I had a small country hotel and would happily provide a twin bedded room to same sex couples.
Tony Mortimer - Bridlington
Typical comments by Terry Sanderson. 'Equal rights' he screeches. Equal Rights as long as you don't speak out about a lifestyle choice, which is to a majority of people not right. Mr Bloom is correct in his analysis of the situation.
Rob Decker - Hull
If people charge their guests money for bed and breakfast, it's not 'hospitality', they're running a business - and it was of course advertised as such. But then, why bother with facts when you're got your wonderful faith, eh? I also hope that Godfrey's constituents who were 'bred from that appalling 1960s and 1970s generation' take note when the next Eurovote comes round.
valdemar - Gateshead, UK
I would like some facts about the 'sad story' that Godfrey Bloom writes about. I agree that it would be an outrage for the law to prosecute private individuals over who they do, or do not, welcome into their own homes. I find it strange that I have seen nothing else about this case in the press. I have read a lot about a couple who were prosecuted for blatantly breaking the law when operating a hotel that discriminates against some people. This couple discriminate not because of anything factual but about how they 'believe' other people should 'naturally' be.
Katie Duncan - Glasgow, Scotland
