Fair Game – The EHRC Set The Rules

From 1 October 2007, a new body was created to deal with all aspects of discrimination law in the UK.  The Equality and Human Rights Comission ("EHRC") is effectively an amalgamation of the Commission for Racial Equality ("CRE"), Equal Opportunities Commission ("EOC") and the Disability Rights Commission ("DRC").  This new body is charged with being "an independent and influential champion whose purpose is to reduce inequality and eliminate discrimination, strengthening good relationships between people and protecting human rights"*.  These are fairly lofty ideals. 

The question people find themselves asking is why is this new body necessary?  Surely in this enlightened age of the 21st century, people will recognise other peoples' individuality and there should be no need for specific bodies designed to interfere in these relations.  Clearly, that is far from reality and bears no truth in the