Move over Tony!
The case of Slyvia Hardy, 73, who has been jailed for refusing to pay her council tax reminds me of an episode of that iconic 1980s sitcom, Ever Decreasing Circles, when Martin (Richard Briers) refused to pay a fine (I think for trespass in an attempt to reopen a public footpath, but the memory is hazy) and instead took the option of jail. Naturally it was left to hairdresser Paul Ryman (Peter Egan) to point out to him that in fact going to jail was not an alternative to paying the fine, merely an additional punishment. I think Paul then, after possibly visiting Martin's wife depending on your interpretation of their relationship, did his usual trick of having an "old school friend" who pulled some strings.Anyway I'm digressing rather. I'm not in favour of sending old women to jail, even when they are (on record) as being willing to go for the publicity. Surely a fine would have sufficed, allowing her to make her point and then pay up? I am in favour of her paying her taxes, I should add.
If the jail sentence, as it must be, is designed to set an example, I think it's unnecessary, with non-payment unlikely to become a major issue. One of the websites supporting her says rather pathetically:
In a local by-election in 2004 Sylvia finished last in the race between four candidates in the Exeter ward of St David's and Pennsylvania.
The only clear winner I can see is that it'll give the Conservative party a new hero(ine); and if there's going to be a martyr of the right-wing to take the conference standing ovations it's better it be nice old woman who don't like paying tax to unrepentant child-killing farmers.
posted by Matthew @ 9/26/2005 01:45:00 PM
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