Government of the people, by the people ...

Just a week ago I asked How long before we get such an opportunity in Scotland? Well, it turned out to not to be such an opportunity after all, since in spite of thousands of responses to invitations to get rid of unwanted legislation, Whitehall has declared itself content with things as they are.

The smoking ban itself gathered hundreds of responses, but it would seem that in spite of the most radical redistribution of power from the state to the people for 200 years, nowt's gonna happen. In spite of glowing promises, the civil servants are in control of the politicians.

The most recent update on Directgov seems to date from 1 July.

We'd never have fallen for it in Scotland, would we?

The source publications (also including the Guardian and the Daily Mail) don't give links to the actual government department responses. I've had a quick look but can't find anything from the horse's mouth so far. Hat tip to Dick Puddlecote for the story.