26 replies to this topic

[bowes]

Rather more likely and given that Labour were quite tough about enforcing the right of homosexuals to adopt*, this is rather curious. Evidently you can see where their priorities lie.

* no strong views on this one.

Also recently a black couple wanted to adopt but weren't allowed because of their religious beliefs on the matter of homosexuality, so I suspect for people of ethnic groups that tend to be more religious will find it harder to adopt if this is enforced

[Steve May]

You mean Labour talked about it for 12 years and did nothing. The Tories actually did something about it.

I can see how the two situations are virtually identical.

Indeed. One of the most notable things that has happened this week is the massive rush to adopt kids from ethnic minority groups as a result of this massively important announcement.

Thank God the Tories are here to repeat announcements made 12 years ago actually do something about it all.

[JohnM]

repeat announcements made 12 years ago

Lets imagine for a moment that the last government had made such an announcement. 12 years of doing nothing is quite surprising, isn't it?

[Steve May]

Lets imagine for a moment that the last government had made such an announcement. 12 years of doing nothing is quite surprising, isn't it?

We don't need to imagine. They did make such an announcement. 12 years ago. That's why the current lot are able to say "Yes, we'd like everyone to use the existing rules" as if it was some big policy announcement.

They have a habit of doing that, announcing existing policy as brand new and exciting thinking. I recall they not long ago announced that they'd allow local groups to take over local pubs. Which is something that has been fairly common for a long time. At least 800 years by my reckoning. They also announced a brilliant new initiative to have part time policemen to support the full timers, which must have come as a surprise to all those special constables out there.

I wonder what they'll do next? Announce that they've made murder illegal?

Edited by Steve May, 04 November 2010 - 10:47 AM.

[gingerjon]

They have a habit of doing that, announcing existing policy as brand new and exciting thinking. I recall they not long ago announced that they'd allow local groups to take over local pubs. Which is something that has been fairly common for a long time. At least 800 years by my reckoning. They also announced a brilliant new initiative to have part time policemen to support the full timers, which must have come as a surprise to all those special constables out there.

There was also a bit of an outcry when the Tories unveiled an election poster saying, "Let's cut benefits to people who refuse work". The Guardian got quite stroppy about it. As with everything above though - it's actually the rules as they already existed.

Like I say, I suspect it's because there is a belief that the existing rules aren't being followed (rather like the difference between changing all the speed limits near schools to 20mph and changing all the speed limits near schools to 20mph but having a camera there to enforce it). The fact that the Coalition repeats what Labour said and Labour didn't immediately reverse everything from Major's government shows how little the differences sometimes are between the parties.

[JohnM]

We don't need to imagine. They did make such an announcement. 12 years ago.

Ah but we do need to imagine, as it the only way to filter out the noise of the multiple and repetitive announcements by the last lot of things that never happened.

A long shot this.... maybe the difference is that this time it will actually happen.

Currently in at least 2 areas white people are forbidden from adopting black children.

[Northern Sol]

Indeed. One of the most notable things that has happened this week is the massive rush to adopt kids from ethnic minority groups as a result of this massively important announcement.

Perhaps you believe that adoptions are handled within a matter of days.