Swimmers who use ponds in north London have won their battle for the "right to take risks" by using them in winter. Hampstead Heath Winter Swimming Club brought a High Court challenge against a ruling by the Corporation of London to ban self-regulated swimming. The corporation felt it would be liable under the Health and Safety Act if there was an accident. The pond is now for the exclusive use of experienced club members during the winter and not open to the public. The judge ruled the corporation's refusal to allow club swimmers to bathe when lifeguards were not present at the pond was based on a misapprehension of the law.
'Individual freedom'
Mr Justice Burnton making his ruling, said the corporation had fallen into legal error and said swimmers should be able to swim at their own risk. He spoke out in favour of "individual freedom" and against "a grey and dull safety regime" being imposed on everyone...
"Safety" is the ultimate totalitarian tool. Even Americans are trained from birth to obey *any* definition of "safety", no matter who makes it, or why, to the point of ridiculousness. It is a complex and insidious psychological regime, and represents an effort to "domesticate" people. |