It is not sensible, in the current climate, for any Member of Parliament to accuse anyone else of being greedy and grasping; I am not sure that there would be much public support for an MP calling anybody else that in the current climate. The right hon. Gentleman criticises tobacco companies for being wealthy, but they have lots of money only because they have sold legitimate—legal—products to people who have bought them as a result of their own choice. He might not agree with people’s decision to smoke—I do not smoke and I do not particularly like going into smoky places, but I believe in freedom of choice—but they should be respected if they decide to spend their hard-earned money on cigarettes. If that is what people wish to do, they should be free to do so—they do not need him lecturing them.
Health Bill [Lords]
Proceeding contribution from
Philip Davies
(Conservative)
in the House of Commons on Monday, 12 October 2009.
It occurred during Debate on bills on Health Bill [Lords].
About this proceeding contribution
Reference
497 c102-3 Session
2008-09Chamber / Committee
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