"EU ban on powerful vacuum cleaners prompts anger and legal challenge"
While Justin* takes his private jet
To search for his absconding pet,
And city Range Rovers abound
To cart the feckless rich around,
I've no incentive to be greener.
Long live the powerful vacuum cleaner!
*Bieber. No, I don't know who he is, either. But he's rich, and has (or had) a pet monkey.
I suppose a lot more people use vacuums than private jets so changing them might make a difference, but I agree that there are other things which probably should be banned.
ReplyDeletePatsy, I think some kind of balance needs to be struck. Either we're all in this together, or we're not.
DeleteNot only vacuums but kettles. Are they gong to regulate the size of gas rings.
ReplyDeleteNo of course not.
It's a case of lots of daft folk employed by dafter folk and all looking after the rich folk.
The Queen used to be pictured wrapped up in woollies sitting in front of an electric fire. Silly bat. She is worth a fortune or several fortunes. I doubt anyone thought she was green or couldn't afford to heat her houses.
Adrian, I like the Queen. You know that. And would you really prefer 'dithery' and co to be our First Family?? Isn't that the stuff of nightmares? Shudder...
DeleteChop heads now; regret for ever after (see France).
DeleteIt's all nonsense isn't it - I'm sure they all sit around twiddling their thumbs and trying to think up new and interesting ways to annoy us x
ReplyDeleteAnd in magnificent surroundings, too, Teresa.
DeleteBloody meddling overpaid bureaucrats; you'd think they had something better to do. We'll now have to spend twice as long over our Hoovering!
ReplyDeleteYou will, I use a brush.
DeleteThank you, Cro. Adrian - what, no dustpan?
DeleteWish they'd find something more important to legislate on!
ReplyDeleteYou and me both, Rosemary.
DeleteTheir priorities are just all wrong IMO.
ReplyDeleteQuite right, Martine!
DeleteActually, the idea is to force the manufacturers to make their machines more energy-efficient. The technology exists (I own an extremely efficient 800 watt vacuum cleaner), but corporate vested interests conspire to persuade us that bigger and thirstier is better. Anything that works against those interests gets my vote, even if it comes from the EU.
ReplyDeleteI hope none of them reads what you've written here Tim, you'd give them ammunition for even more meddling (even if you're right).
DeleteI had a suspcion that someone who knew more than I did might come along. But I still hate the double standards, Tim. and I detest the EU!
DeleteIn October, my sister and I will be joining a group of people from our home town on a bus tour to Strasbourg. There, we will be received by one of the 14 or so vice presidents of the EU parliament (he is from our town). He will give us a tour of the parliament and I suppose we'll have the occasion for a Q&A session. Should I ask him about the vacuum cleaners? (I'd rather ask him about leaf blowers.)
ReplyDeleteMeike, I just hope they give you some wonderful refreshments. They can certainly afford them!
DeleteJust as predicted, everyone is buying up the last of the powerful cleaners, as they did with light bulbs, which will probably keep many people going for a long time. An awful lot of wasted time and money for very little saving.
ReplyDeleteToo right, Maggie.
DeleteI'm with Tim on this one. Saves me writing a long comment!
ReplyDeleteAh well. Can't win 'em all...
DeleteWill we be allowed to buy 'second hand' powerful vacuum cleaners?
ReplyDeleteOf course not. Ts Ts.
Delete