Andrew is a libertarian. Unlike the political opportunist Julia Lopez, he has firm political beliefs so you know where you stand with him. He said, “Freedom with responsibility and freedom of choice are surely what the Conservative party should stand for.”1 He spoke three times against the proposal that access to tobacco should be abolished over many decades to save lives. (Addendum for the vote)
Libertarians oppose government interference in the lives of adults.2 Rishi Sunak is trying to prevent the preventable harms3 of smoking by ultimately ending legal sales. This builds on many current laws. One says motorcyclists must4 wear helmets whilst anyone travelling in cars must wear a seatbelt. Libertarians say this is a denial of ‘freedom of choice’ as it treats adults like children.
Andrew’s views on Covid-19 vaccination was consistent with his philosophy. “I have long campaigned against lockdown restrictions since the Summer of 2020 and have vehemently opposed mandatory vaccination in any setting.”5 Mandatory vaccinations are an example of unnecessary protection in his opinion.
Libertarianism promotes responsibility. It implies an increase in death and injury from not wearing helmets or seatbelts for example, which is the price of freedom. The 74,600 deaths3 annually from smoking would probably increase without intervention. Andrew’s position is coherent but might not suit public opinion, which thinks most protective laws are a ‘Good Thing’.
Addendum: Havering’s MPs and their vote
Jon Cruddas, Labour, voted for the proposal banning smoking for 15 year olds, Julia Lopez, Conservative minister, voted against and Andrew abstained.
Tobacco and Vapes Bill (Division 123: held on Tuesday – Hansard – UK Parliament The debate was on the 16th April 2024
Notes
1 Tobacco and Vapes Bill – Hansard – UK Parliament col.220 Andrew has changed his mind. In 2010 he voted to maintain a ban on smoking Public Houses and Private Members’ Clubs (Smoking) Bill: Recent Votes – TheyWorkForYou Liberatarians accept protective laws for children.
2 Should Governments Prevent Preventable Harm? | Odeboyz’s Blog (oedeboyz.com) see also Paternalism in Historical Context: Helmet and Seatbelt Legislation in the UK | Public Health Ethics | Oxford Academic (oup.com) Andrew voted against the provision of free school meals during holiday periods for example Free School Meals (Division 154: held on Wednesday 21 – Hansard – UK Parliament
3 Statistics on Smoking, England 2020 – NHS England Digital The 2020 figures are 74,600 deaths and half a million hospital admissions
4 Motorcycle Helmets and Sikh Religion – Motorcycle Rider (motor-software.co.uk)
5 Scrap ‘ludicrous’ mandatory vaccination policy, says Rosindell | Romford Recorder
Politics in Havering 
Well, his views on a woman’s right to choose what is done to her own body and on LGBTQ+ rights have not been particularly libertarian. There he falls firmly into the moralistic, traditionalist right view.
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Andrew (I don’t know if he actually thinks this by the way) might say that state impediments are a no no but that doesn’t mean that on a personal level he can’t disapprove. Disapproval of LGBTQ+ lifestyles is entirely consistent with libertarian views: imposing government sanctions would not be.
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Given he lives a hedonistic, gay, lifestyle, yet consistently votes against LGBTQ+ rights suggests he’s more of a big-government fascist than a libertarian.
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I know nothing about Andrew’s lifestyle and the entire comment is loaded and abusive. This site is for politics site and not one for abuse. In future I’ll delete comments such as these.
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