Why doesn't Britian repeal these stupid laws?

Question

Most ridiculous British law:
1. It is illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament (27 percent)
If you are dead what are they going to do to you ? And who can control where they die
2. It is an act of treason to place a postage stamp bearing the British monarch upside-down (seven percent)
Treason seriously Treason it is a stamp I don't pay attention when I put one on as long as it is on there
3. In Liverpool, it is illegal for a woman to be topless except as a clerk in a tropical fish store (six percent) WHAT?
4. Mince pies cannot be eaten on Christmas Day (five percent)
Are you kidding why can't you eat what you want in your home when you want
5. In Scotland, if someone knocks on your door and requires the use of your toilet, you must let them enter (four percent)
I would have to go to jail because I don't let strangers in my house in this day and age they can kill you or rob you. I have not let people in my house who knocked on my door asking to use the phone because their car broke down. Sorry I see the news not getting in my house
6. A pregnant woman can legally relieve herself anywhere she wants, including in a policeman's helmet (four percent)
Ok not a woman but I saw how my wife had to pee when she was I kind of like this one
7. The head of any dead whale found on the British coast automatically becomes the property of the king, and the tail of the queen (3.5 percent)
Again What
8. It is illegal to avoid telling the tax man anything you do not want him to know, but legal not to tell him information you do not mind him knowing (three percent)
9. It is illegal to enter the Houses of Parliament in a suit of armour (three percent)
WHY?
10. In the city of York it is legal to murder a Scotsman within the ancient city walls, but only if he is carrying a bow and arrow (two percent
So it is ok to murder him out side the ancient city walls. If I were a Scotsman I would not got York ever

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071106/od_afp/britainlawsoffbeat
this is the article it came from was on the yahoo home page

Answer 1

are you sure these laws are still active? they are very strange laws. they sound like their from the 16th century. I bet you they still keep them just like they still have a king and queen. they still want that glamour of a monarchy intact (even though they have no real power)
I'm glad I don't live there I don't think I would be able to keep those laws straights. I would probably just stay home all day just to keep out of trouble. Oh wait, I'm not even safe at home-because someone could knock on my door to use the bathroom!!

Answer 2

Lol!! Great read! Thanks for the laugh!

Also, apparently any Welshman found out on the streets of Chester after sunset can be legally killed!

So being Welsh, I've always been careful to get out of Chester before the sun goes down! Mind you I'm a Welsh woman and it says "Welshman"

And the Policeman's Helmet thing. I always wanted to try that when I was pregnant!!!

Seriously though, these obsolete laws are irrelevant. If you did murder a Scotsman carrying a bow and arrow in York you'd still get locked up for murder. I can't see any jury acquitting someone on the basis of some 900-year old statute!! I guess repealing them just makes more work and maybe costs taxpayers money.

Answer 3

There was (and probably still is) a law to force taxi drivers to carry a bale of hay with them.

It all makes for a quirky set of laws which really do no harm to anyone, but give a great deal of entertainment to the likes of us.

It would make more sense to repeal some of the other laws relating to our personal lives that the government insist on controlling.

Answer 4

Because they are fringe laws that aren't really upheld any more. Until there is a major issue centred around one or more of these laws, the Government will go with 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it.' They have more important things to worry about.

Man, some of those laws really do need changing. I'd write a letter to your local rep of choice. If only to see if they're paying attention.

Answer 5

Great stuff! Max m is exactly right, taxi drivers (or, more accurately, Hackney Carriage drivers) are required to carry a bale of hay in the vehicle "to feed the horse".

Also:
It is illegal to eat mince pies at Christmas.
Impersonation of a Chelsea Pensioner (RBL) is punishable by death (not sure if that's been repealed or not).
All Englishmen are required by law to keep a fully maintained longbow, and to practice shooting it regularly (pretty sure that's never been repealed).

And plenty more. And the US has hundreds, if not thousands of absurd(ly funny) laws.

Answer 6

No - I think they are excellent - it gives the country character, it's part of the history of the place - any anyway - if any of them really mattered they'd have been repealed by now - plus who wants to spend time going through all the old laws saying "we haven't used this one for a bit - shall we ditch it???"

Answer 7

6. A pregnant woman can legally relieve herself anywhere she wants, including in a policeman's helmet (four percent)


ROFLMAO.....oooooooooh Mr. Policeman --- can I borrow your helmet please?

I seriously must make a trip to the UK again just to see if I could get a helmet to wee in!

Answer 8

Might make it a tad unwide for Gordon Brown to go scrounging for votes in York, then come the next election.

Answer 9

Request the Houses of Lords and Commons to invalidate the laws you deem are erroneous.

Answer 10

They're just wierd laws left over, better leave them no-one enforces them. If they were repealed then it would take lots of time that would otherwise be used doing something useful.