If it was up to you, which laws would you change, or at least get a debate going on?

[DNR]

Loved the why do you obey laws thread so...

Sunday trading laws. So archaic and a right pain. I always need to do my food shop on a Sunday for the week so that the food stays fresh but by the time I get home from my hobby the shops are shut and I end up having to get up at 5am to go on the way to work on Monday.

I'd start a debate on pet ownership. I'd ban ownership of all small animals/reptiles/birds, I'd make it compulsory to take out a license to own a cat or dog, and then I'd make keeping this license dependent on an annual home inspection to make sure the animal is being kept properly.

may seem a bit extreme, but i would like to see the death penalty introduced here.

more (& harsher) domestic abuse sentences, not suspended.

there's loads i'm sure but those are two biggies for me

I’d also like to see parents, whose children clearly have severe SEN , but who refuse any support , advice or interventions , brought to account.

it's usually the case the these families are refused help, support and intervention and the LA/NHS get away with failing these children. If any chance of law is needed,
it's needed in holding LAs etc to account.

Also prisons should have no game stations etc... it shouldn't be cushy!
Good god, has anyone spouting this crap actually been to or visited a prison ? 😠

Two for court cases:

In a rape trial it has to proved that consent, beyond all doubt, was got.

Causing death for drink-driving is manslaughter. Though I'd might say it should be murder as drinking then getting behind a wheel it is known you could kill someone so it's intentional.
Casing injury would be taken as GBH or ABH.

Ban unnecessary plastic. Bags, toys, etc.

Common law marriage after cohabitation and children.

Laws designed so DV victims could stay in their home and the aggressor find alternate accommodation.

I'd chase up getting BSL available as a GCSE. A young man from near here is pushing for it and I think it will happen soon hopefully!

Proper prosecution of men who use prostitutes
Proper regulation of the porn industry- assuming that abolition is impossible.
Abolition of state faith and grammar schools. Radical reform of school admissions process. VAT on private schools.
Significant change in the definition of “employment” for benefits and statistical purposes.
An increase in corporation tax and higher rate income tax.
Proper pursuit of corporation and personal tax evaders.
Abolition of the Monarchy.(ok, I know that’s not going to happen, but I can dream.)

I'd massively tighten legal loopholes that allow multinationals and the superrich to avoid tax.
I'd strengthen employee rights so that anyone on zero hours had a guaranteed basic income per week.
I'd crack down on empty homes.Any home bought as an investment and left empty for more than three months can be allocated a long-term tenant at a minimum rent with preference given to NHS, teachers and other service industry workers.
I'd make everyone who does dangerous sports from letting DC wear wheelies and go parcouring to climbing mountains and coasteering take out insurance against needing rescue or hospital treatment. Let NHS funds go to the sick not the risk-takers. (I do two dangerous sports and am happy to pay to offset the risk.)
I'd make all service industries not for profit, so the focus is on getting them to run efficiently and safely at fair costs (South West and Southern trains that's you!)

I'd like to see more and longer community service punishments. They're a good idea and I can't help but think would make better punishments than prison for many non violent offences.
I'm no expert but I can't help but think losing every weekend a year to litter picking in high viz might be more of a deterrent than a short prison sentence or a fine.
That's not a law though.
I'd make appearing at A&E with a blood alcohol level above a certain point a crime. You still get to be treated, but it's an automatic fine which goes straight to the NHS.

And - we need the Nordic model here. It's not illegal to "solicit" - in fact I'd add provision for sex workers to get extra help if they want it.
Make it illegal to purchase sex. Punish the johns and help the women.

@GertrudeCB yes actually and yes they do have them.

I used to text my ex boyfriend in prison too.

I would have harsher penalties for companies that break environmental rules.

I would increase taxes on things that are destroying the planet, and ban others.

I would make it so everything used to produce and ship consumer items had to be disclosed on the label - ie all chemicals used in processing, carbon emissions, all finishing chemicals and anything else harmful to human health or the planet.

Death penalty for certain murders.

Castrations for rapists. If they then use implements to rape then death penalty. They will never change.

Aggressive habitual criminals who will never be able to be rehabilitated should be locked up for life. They will never change and put everyone else at risk.

People who litter should be made to pickup litter for months with a big sign on them saying what they have done.

No new identities for criminals. You do it, then live with the consequences.

Kiddy fiddlers, death penalty. They will never change.

Spitting should be banned.

Light grey tracksuit bottoms should be banned to stop men having their hands in their pants permanently.

Separate sports races for transgender athletes. Need a level playing field.

If your kids are noisy on trains, in restaurants, cinemas etc and you are not trying to keep them quiet you should be banned.

All cats should be banned.

Nando's should be closed down.

ALDI staff should scan just a little bit slower.

Everyone should get out of my way or risk the death penalty.

Right! I feel better now. Best get to work.

Toodle-pip.

I'd make appearing at A&E with a blood alcohol level above a certain point a crime.

What about people who go to A&E for other self inflicted injuries after taking part in risky behaviour? Dangerous driving, skiing, high risk sports, taking drugs, starting a fight.

Would lung cancer patients who smoked all their lives have to pay a fine to the NHS too? Overweight diabetics?

Tougher driving laws, some people should be charged with manslaughter as their behaviour is so reckless.

None payment of child support, I'd go American and have you loose your license.

I'd change the law on taking a life means you serve a life sentence. Not just a life sentence with a minimum of 15 years etc
Or even consider death row like America. Their good enough to do it so their good enough to take it.

*LIFE MEANS LIFE !!!!

Always been a bug bare of mine x

Driving should be taken over 3 years and you should have to be able to demonstrate you can drive in all weather and traffic conditions.
Driving convictions should be much harsher. Including points and a fine for parking in a disabled bay without a blue badge.
Refresher courses for drivers when they renew their license. Even if it's just a couple of lessons.

Prisoners should lose all but basic human rights once proven guilty. Far to many watching tv all day.
Make them do community payback like they do in America. Orange jumpsuits the lot.

Murders should NOT be eligible for parole if they dont reveal the location of a body.

License to own ANY animal including mandatory vet checks, micro chipping, vaccinating and training courses to be completed before an animal can be purchased/adopted.
Animal cruelty laws harsher, in law animals should have the same rights as humans. You beat your child you go to jail. You beat your dog you should go to jail too with same sentence.

Mps shouldn't be allowed to have a invested interest in anything they are voting for.
Any mps voting for changes to workers rights, benefits etc should be made to live on them for 6 months before voting so they can vote from a position of knowledge.

I'm sure theres loads more but I got halfway through the thread and got angry about why some of these aren't law so had to post.

I'd make appearing at A&E with a blood alcohol level above a certain point a crime.

I had an ovarian cyst burst after drinking a bottle of wine with a friend. The alcohol had nothing to do with my reproductive system attempting to destroy itself.

I wasn't driving, I had gone to bed and was woken up by the pain.

Prisoners should lose all but basic human rights once proven guilty. Far to many watching tv all day.

Personally I'd prefer prisoners watching TV rather than planning escape / violence / trouble making. Talk to anyone who has worked with prisoners TVs save a lot of money and broken bones.

I'd stop social services 'outsourcing' things like looked after children. A child in care has had enough shit thrown at them without them being sent 200 miles away to live just because that place is cheaper.

From reading this thread I would make it illegal to pass laws lobbied for by the public who have absolutely no knowledge of what they're talking about and are driven by frothing Daily Mail hate.

I [heart] experts.

@KenDodd think I'll vote for your proposed law!

Initial driving test to be made MUCH harder and 10 yearly re-tests for all. Far too many people on the road who aren't fit to drive and behave in a way they don't deserve to be allowed to drive.

Candidates hoping to be voted in as MPs should be able to prove "links" to the constituency, either living in it or working it in for at least the last 5 years. Far too many London Elite types "parachuted" into safe seats by party head offices.