Banning of Burqa - Good or bad?

[Gonzo]

So, we agree that people shouldn't be told what to wear. In that case, what are we going to do to/with people who tell others what to wear?

Damn. It is complicated.

I was compelled to wear a specific uniform at school and I don't think that there is anything wrong with that.

There are plenty of circumstances where regulated dress makes perfect sense.

But when people are walking down the street going about their every day lives it is noone else's business.

[cailin maith]

There are days when I wish I could wear a burqa - could wear my pj's all day underneath - no more bad hair days...

Wehn I was in Dubai last year, me and my sister in law went to the public beach on (Monday, I think it was) - Women only day... as soon as those ladies were inside the walls, those burqa's came off pretty swiftly. It was the best day on the beach

[VectraMan]

That is an affront to the British view of decency so I don't think that it supports the argument that it is acceptable to tell people what to wear.

But what is decency? It's just a convention, a commonly agreed code of conduct if you like. And in the same way that some people might be shocked to see a naked person walking down the High Street, so others might be shocked to see a woman in a burka. Is it really any different? If one's illegal because it breaks the commonly accepted British code of conduct, why isn't the other?

[Mich the Tester]

There are days when I wish I could wear a burqa - could wear my pj's all day underneath - no more bad hair days...

Wehn I was in Dubai last year, me and my sister in law went to the public beach on (Monday, I think it was) - Women only day... as soon as those ladies were inside the walls, those burqa's came off pretty swiftly. It was the best day on the beach

Ah, the joys of snorkeling with a periscope!

[Gonzo]

But what is decency? It's just a convention, a commonly agreed code of conduct if you like. And in the same way that some people might be shocked to see a naked person walking down the High Street, so others might be shocked to see a woman in a burka. Is it really any different? If one's illegal because it breaks the commonly accepted British code of conduct, why isn't the other?

I agree it is a convention, and not necessarily one that I support but I think you will find that being naked in public is not an offence, they get done for causing a nuisance or a breach of the peace.

How much of a breach of the peace does someone wearing a burqa cause?

[cailin maith]

Ah, the joys of snorkeling with a periscope!

[VectraMan]

I think you will find that being naked in public is not an offence, they get done for causing a nuisance or a breach of the peace.

Right I'm off down the high street to give it a try.

[gingerjedi]

A bit off topic but:

How do women who cover themselves from head to toe get sufficient vitamin D? Couple that with a combination of dark skin and northern European weather and you're asking for trouble.

Rickets will be the next health epidemic to sweep the UK, mark my words. :rolleyes

[meridian]

Does anyone know what the proposed law actually says?

Would it be illegal for, say, those statue street performers?
A hen party on the razz?
Hallowe'en kids?
Motorcyclists with full face helmets?
Cyclists wearing helmets, shades, and smog protectors?
A perfectly innocent chap wearing a balaclava because it's a bit nippy out?

[northernladuk]

Damn. It is complicated.

I was compelled to wear a specific uniform at school and I don't think that there is anything wrong with that.

There are plenty of circumstances where regulated dress makes perfect sense.

But when people are walking down the street going about their every day lives it is noone else's business.

But you are wrong. When that person is going about their business it will often include communication with other people and when they have their identity concealed it becomes the business of the other person as well who is at a distinct and often uncomfortable disadvantage hence the reason for the law. The law is to benefit the person having to deal with a covered face not the person wearing it.

It is too easy, as we can see from the thread title for people to pick little bits of a law i.e. name burka's when it applies to all manner of face wear and to talk about walking down the street. If you are going to have a reasonable debate you have to look at the whole thinking behind the law and what it covers else we would never get to the end of it.