Evidence from the streets

Prostitution, like homosexuality, has always been with us. The former has after all been traditionally known as the world's oldest profession. After over a century of oppressive legislation, the United Kingdom has now recognised that same-sex relationships may be in the minority but they are a valid part of society. Now there are signs that a more mature attitude to sex work is growing. The resolution reached in the debate on Saturday does not seem to have inspired a glut of prurient* headlines. Even the Murdoch Sunday Times gives as much prominence to Steve Webb's pension reforms.

The only person to speak against the motion yesterday was a man. The point was made time and time again that laws which merely shifted criminality from prostitutes to the potential clients, the anti-kerb-crawling legislation or "the Nordic model" had in practice resulted in more dangers to sex workers.

* One schoolboy thought did cross my mind, though. Both Evan Harris and Chris Davies revealed that when in the House of Commons they had both been recipients of the sex workers' politician of the year award. This takes the form of a flying golden penis, and I wondered whether they had compared their trophies for size.