Master Worstall appears to have grabbed the wrong end of this particular stick and as a consequence, wades into Phil Woolas, the local government minister over the latter’s suggestions regarding public lavatory provision. In a speech yesterday to the British Toilet Association and Keep Britain Tidy campaign, Mr Woolas raises the matter of the lack of public conveniences and recommends a solution.
The Department for Communities and Local Government has already produced a very popular ‘How to’ guide giving tips to town centre managers on ensuring there is public access to toilets.
Mr Woolas’ solution is to involve the private sector in the provision of public conveniences. And it is this to which Tim takes exception:
We could explore how the private sector could become more involved with better access on commercial premises. McDonalds has a reputation for being the place ‘to go’ and turns a blind eye for legitimate use. But why should they be the only ones, and why does it have to be a furtive affair?
Tim’s take:
No. Businesses may follow the example of McDonald’s if they should so wish. They can follow that example. But should?
Not your business matey. They are private businesses operating in a competetive market and how they wish to do so is up to them, who they allow into their private property and for what purposes is precisely fuck all to do with the Minister for Local Government.
If that is all Mr Woolas said, I would agree entirely with Tim’s analysis. However, the quote is incomplete and as I read Tim’s piece after I heard Mr Woolas talking about this on Jeremy Vine’s show, I realised that this assessment of his comments was at odds with what he is suggesting. He is not saying that they should do anything; that is turning his comment on its head to mean something entirely different to what was said. Then again, Tim is using the Times’ article as his source and in this instance, it is an unwise choice.
RESTAURANTS and shops should “grow up” and let the public use their lavatories, Phil Woolas, the Local Government Minister, said.
Actually, no, he didn’t. He said nothing of the sort. This is a huge straw man and a disgraceful piece of reporting in that it blatantly misrepresents what was said. What Phil Woolas actually said, if one reads the transcript of the speech is this:
We need to grow up and invite the private sector to be part of the debate.
That rather puts a different perspective on things, doesn’t it? Mr Woolas is inviting the private sector to be involved.
In Richmond upon Thames there is a community toilet scheme where there is a deal between the council and local businesses. This gives people access to the businesses’ toilet facilities in return for an annual contribution towards maintenance costs from the council.
Not only are they being invited to be involved, for this involvement they will be paid. Now, given that the decline in public lavatories is a serious matter for those people with such ailments as irritable bowel syndrome and bladder weakness, this idea will come as a measure of relief (sorry, couldn’t resist). As this plan seeks voluntary involvement of private businesses in the provision of public facilities for a small fee, I not only see nothing wrong with the suggestion, but, for once, I agree entirely with a minister of the crown and applaud him for raising it.
Make the most of this phenomenon, normal service will be resumed shortly.
Um, yeah. Minister in good idea shock! Ouch. It must be the heat.
It’s the silly season, the heat goes to their heads. :whistle:
L,
At least you said your penny’s worth… lbhh
The McDonalds in our town doesn’t let you use their lavs unless you buy something, so I usually head on to Marks & Spencer or John Lewis. We used to have loads of public conveniences including a rather ornate one in the old market place but it was one where you walked down stairs to it and women were being attacked and blokes were getting their willies espied so it went plus of course it began to by tramps and people don’t tend to want to walk over scruffy sleeping blokes when they’re busting for a piss do they? It’s a shame though because it’s still there and it’s rather ornate and decorative and a waste of a decent building, which will probably be pulled down and a bloody coffee bar will go there instead.
*of course it began to be frequented by tramps.
I have these flags come up telling me that certain attacks on my PC have been thwarted and when they do that, what I’m typing at that moment doesn’t appear on the screen hence why you’ll see a missing word here and there. It’s frustrating. Another one has just appeared telling me that Win Kernel 32 has been blocked from accessing the network 😡