2011 Census

Here we go again. Census time. Why do they bother? This is a rhetorical question by the way. Please don't email me with the usual socio-political nonsense that big brother rolls out every 10 years as an excuse for being nosy.

This morning I read Tom Utley in the Mail. He wrote of the, "Distinctively British attitude to bureaucracy - the feeling of resentment and suspicion, coupled with an urge to be facetious and unco-operative, that seizes us whenever we have to fill in an official form." Not every form surely? The census, maybe. Definitely for some. Are we sure it's a, "Distinctively British," attitude by the way? I thought the French were very plainly against bureacracy and full of resentment and suspicion when it comes to governmental prying. They still build their baracades and dump fish and meat at the slightest provocation don't they?

I have looked at the census form and already I'm concerned and find an element of Tom Utley's definition rising up within.

I have to tick a box on page 3 to tell them if my, "partner," usuallly lives with me. I do not have a partner. I am married and have a wife. Partnership as an aspect of marriage is a reality but marriage is more than a partnership. What is the matter with the bureaucrats? Why do the form draftsmen (or would you prefer draftspersons?) constantly yield to the social engineering pressures that seem to have infested our administrative institutions like some mediaevil plague.

What ever happened to the recognition of the institution of marriage and why, oh why, don't they use the word spouse anymore? I suppose it might offend those who are not married but live together as though they were. The form's use of, "partner," does not preclude the inclusion of the word, "spouse."

It seems that whatever approach we take, we mustn't say anything that might just highlight the differences of status that still exist.

These distinctions still matter today. They may not be around for too much longer if Cameron, et al have their way but as at now, marriage is a distinct and legally recognised relationship and should be acknowledged by all, including the government's census gurus.

Well Tom, I will fill in my form because it's right to uphold the rule of law but where the form is flawed, I will manage its intrusions.