“Liza wrote " birching will never happen ... if more people were clear about the need for it - then it could'.

You would think so, wouldn't you? But the fact is Liza, that corporal punishment is banned under the European Convention on Human Rights, and Britain is a signatory to it. If we want to withdraw from it and re-introduce corporal punishment, then we'd have to leave the European Union. And no government is prepared to that.

We used to live in a democracy where - for the most part - the will of the people was carried out by their elected representatives .. not any more. Now we're ruled by a clique of unelected, unaccountable, provably corrupt, self-serving foreign bureaucrats.

NOTHING .. I repeat NOTHING .. will change for the better in this country until we are free of the EU and are once more a self-governing country.

(And I make no apologies for this 'rant' because it is the truth).”

“What a surprise - not. All of nuLabour's flagship policies being scrapped one by one, illiberal ID cards, new biometric passports, and non-value adding home information packs, speed scameras creating more bad driving habits, now ASBOs the badge of honour for the hardcore yob.”

“Observer Humberston

You say in your post that 'we all know birching will never happen'.

My response to that is 'well it should, and if more people were clear about the need for it - then it could'.

It is no use just moaning about the ifs and ands - we actually NEED a radical approach to a very serious societal problem. I really do believe public corporal punishment would be a powerful and critically effective response to antisocial behaviour from youths.

Obviously, I am not suggesting all criminals should be punished and corrected in this way, but there is a definite category where it would reap rewards.

So, politically incorrect it may be in these times...maybe the times need to change. Lets open our minds to accept the unpalatable - it will do us good.”

“Mr Copperfield wrote: "Therefore is the court system fit for purpose?"

Seemingly not!

But I have a hunch they are obliged to follow government 'guidelines' .. so if it's government policy is to go light on so called 'minor' crime, the courts will sentence accordingly. I don't know if anyone can confirm this?”

“Yes legal aid should be scrapped altoether, it would save a small fortune for the country.

Why should it need legislation for the courts to take breaches seriously, surely it is their duty to take all matters before it seriously.

Therefore is the court system fit for purpose?”