Nanny state is a threat to freedom lovers of all ages

THE PERSISTENT sound of nagging under Keir Starmer’s nanny state gets louder by the day.

- Duncan Barkes

Instead of successfully dealing with the major challenges facing our country, this government is obsessed with tinkering in many areas of our lives in a way that sees it exerting even greater control over how we live.

But it comes as no great surprise as nanny stateism is in the DNA of the Labour Party. Historical examples include Tony Blair introducing the smoking ban in public places and workplaces in 2007. Instead of allowing business owners to decide what might work best for them, the state decreed that nobody could smoke in the workplace and that pubs and restaurants must also become smoke-free.

‘And let us not forget, it was also the Blair government that was desperate to introduce compulsory ID cards to the UK. Thankfully, the Tory-led government of 2010 put a stop to the scheme becoming a reality.

Fast-forward to 2026, and Labour is hellbent on trying to control many more parts of our lives. As a bloke said to me in my local pub last week: “Why can’t they just leave us alone?”

This year started with junk food adverts being banned on television and online. The ban, which is in force across the UK, stops food and drinks high in fat, salt and sugar being advertised on television before 9pm and at any time online.

Products impacted include pizzas, ice creams, chocolates, sweets and soft drinks.