Slaving away...

This is bound to be an interesting time for us, locally.  As we await further details about the fascinating events of Friday at CCBC, the comment made about slavery being a way forward is worth considering.

Ancient Rome had (broadly) three categories of population: citizens, non-citizens and slaves. As with any society, it was more complex in reality, and the struggles that took place between the wealthy landowners (Patricians) and the rest of the citizens (Plebians) echo British Airway's problems quite eerily.

But perhaps the ancient Romans had something, when they made the position of Citizen something to which you had to aspire. And reintroducing slavery - a status which could be meted out to offenders in the same way as prison sentences or community service orders are now - could have an interesting effect.  It would - at a stroke - cut down on prison building, provide plenty of fresh air and exercise for the former inmates, and - best of all - those who paid their due to society in full, by completing their tenure as a slave - would be awarded full citizen status.

And, of course, the ultimate spin-off would be the reintroduction of the games - gladiatorial, naturally.   Think what Simon Cowell would pay for that.