The nanny state
Sir: Mr R. W. F. Holmes, in his letter (27 March) was critical of your excellent article 'Onwards the nanny state' (6 March). He has, surely, overlooked two important fundamental truths.
(I) In accusing you of 'crying wolf, wolf' on small matters affecting one's freedom, i.e. seat belts, he prophesies that you will
dull the ears of your readers when the real threat to freedom arrives. Setting aside the question whether compulsory wearing of seat belts is a small matter (it certainly will not be for those who feel strongly against wearing a belt because of previous experience where a serious injury was avoided by not wearing one) is Mr Holmes not aware that many losses of small freedoms will eventually result in freedom itself being lost altogether ?One remembers the adage 'Look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves'.
(2) Mr Holmes continues . . . 'the child who objects to a nanny's control is often an inadequate child. . . .' Quite! But when one is no longer a child one surely is inadequate if one still feels the need for a nanny ? Monica Day
73 St Julians Farm Road, London SE27
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