A CUNNING PLAN..

News that, after 140 years, prisoners are to be given back the right to vote comes as little surprise given all the other privileges which attach to a term at Her Majesty`s pleasure these days.   And also given the almost insufferable interference in our domestic affairs by the all pervading European Union.   This time the European Court of Human Rights has confirmed that, in their view, to deny convicted prisoners the right to take part in the democratic process is a fundamental denial of their human rights. 

Oh well.  Seems as if HM Gov. has given up the ghost, rolled over and said, "OK then," on the less than principled notion that it will cost too much in legal fees and compensation to carry on with the fight. 

At the same time, in yet another example of the principle of saving money being paramount, care for the elderly seems to be under threat - at least in England, for I believe that care for the elderly is free in Scotland - like so many other things that we in England are contributing to - and therefore safeguarded from any politically suicidal tendencies to do anything about it.

But here`s the thing.   Thanks to all kinds of prisoner-friendly outfits (Prison Reform Trust, etc.) conditions in our prisons have improved by leaps and bounds to the point where   human rights and other reforms have made life in prison much more agreeable with excellent accommodation, health care, catering, social activities, TVs and other home comforts. 

 I`ve no quarrel with all of that but, as the lot of our elderly and those detained as guests of Her Majesty edge ever closer towards parity, it makes me wonder whether the final solution to the perceived problems of prisoners and the very real problems of our aged population might be to put all the prisoners in the old peoples` homes and all the old folk in prison.  I`m not sure any of them would notice much difference?