This sunny Saturday morning a knock on the door. Two census enforcing officers on the doorstep. I had been expecting them. The first form went back with simply my name and a statement saying that this was all I was willing to submit. The second is still in amongst my paper work. My non completion wasn’t based on much research just gut instinct. I have no idea how the data gathered will be processed to determine government policy. For example if its found that there are lots of people caring for others does that justify a reduction in funds for things such as home helps? It may not, but as a simple citizen I really have no idea. But my main objection is the legal obligation to fill in the form. In all likely hood, given time to research and understand some of my other issues I would have filled in the form if left free to decide. I think it’s great that family history people will be able to use it in the future to look into family trees I guess there has to be some method to allocate local authority funds. But it’s this process I’m just about to embark on which seems wrong. If I decide for whatever reason not to give over the information I get a visit like this morning. The gentleman was very pleasant, he looked like a kindly gent. The lady behind him writing notes looked most conscientious and hardworking. But at the end of me explaining why I wasn’t filling it in, me saying that I should really should stand by my principles and him nodding emphatically he took out another form and said that in that case he was obliged to give me a caution. As he read the standard blurb familiar from so many police TV shows “ You are not obliged to say anything blar blar blar.” I could feel a sick feeling rising in my stomach. This visit will set the wheels in motion which lead to me being a criminal yet I have done no thing or nobody any harm. I am law abiding to the point of daftness, if I accidently drop a bit of litter I return to pick it up. I have a thirteen year old son who I hope will not see me as just a stubborn stupid woman, a Mum and Dad who worry, a business working with people, which I hope will not suffer, a partner who will have to provide a shoulder to cry on when I am stressed with it all. Is my resolve strong enough to get me through the next bit, finding a lawyer for an interview with the enforcers, going to court, rooting in my stretched finances for a £1,000 fine.
If this is to be more than just a childish act of petulance and a chance for the powers that be to quietly grind me into submission I have to make my voice heard. I’m searching the net for further resolve, research to inform the gut instinct which led me to this decision and this course of events. Perhaps I won’t find it. Perhaps I will just end up £1,000 lighter with another blank form in my hand, a little more cynical and with a criminal record.
Being a prolific blogger I’ve started a blog to chart the next part of this process you can find it at:
www.noncensus.blogspot.com
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