Abuse Quote by Emily Thornberry
“What a nightmare it would be if we individually had to criminalise every single abuse of every single commodity, market or financial product. There are thousands of these and new ones being invented every day. Such an approach would have disastrous implications for regulation and policy-making. Any slide towards it must be resisted.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Parliamentary debate, UK House of Commons, 2023
Attempting to criminalise every abuse of each commodity or market would create an unmanageable legal system and cripple effective regulation.
In simple terms: Over‑criminalising harms regulation.
Key Takeaway
Avoid blanket criminalisation; focus on targeted rules.
Themes
regulation
policy
law
economics
risk management
Mood
concerned
serious
cautious
Type
policy
legal
analytical
When to use this quote
- financial oversight
- consumer protection
- anti‑corruption enforcement
Key Concepts
legal complexity
regulatory burden
market dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance strict oversight with practical enforceability?
- What criteria should determine when an abuse warrants criminal law?
A Different Perspective
Such broad criminalisation could stifle innovation and create enforcement chaos.
