At last a little common sense has prevailed in Wonderland. There is absolutely nothing wrong with lightly smacking a child as a last resort and is much preferable to allowing a little brat to throw tantrums, scream and pout every five minutes. My children all received an occasional smack and they have all grown up to be respectful, well-rounded adults.
Beating a child is totally different and no un-enforceable law is going to have any influence on those disgraceful people who do this, so those down the 'rabbit hole' should concentrate on finding ways to collar these miscreants rather than trying to criminalise loving parents.

Oxford Don, Oxford, UK

The remark "Clearly, if an adult is resposible for abuse and violence towards a child they need to feel the full rigour of the law" made by Tim Loughton (Shadow Schools Minister) is curious.
Is Mr Loughton aware of just how much 'vigour of the law' is being faced by those who are identified and who are known to the relevant authorities, as individuals who are abusing the children in their care?
Most identified child abusers, in this country, never see the inside of a court and are never prosecuted.
Where does The Full Vigour of The Law come into the lives of most identified child abusers?
The chilldren have been very badly let down today.
There is a lack of will to recognise how poorly they are being served by law and justice.
The identified, being abused children will continue to pay the price, sometimes with their lives, whilst the confusion and flawed 'translation' of 'reasonable chastiserment' is made able to continue to contribute and to support their suffering.

Darnthesafetynet, London, W11 1NR

I wouldn't dream of smacking my daughter or anyother human being-I love her too much to cause her physical pain, no law need tell a loving sensible parent what they can or can't do as it shou;dn't even be a considered method of child control!!
Here in Spain I have NEVER seen a child smaked or even shouted at, must be more love here?

Mes Ess, Madrid, Spain

Thank God that common sense has prevailed.The idea of equating a good spank delivered in sorrow and not in anger with physical abuse of a child has always been ludicrous.

andrew kerr, toronto,

The UK is nothing more then a nanny state with what I have just read about smacking and the increase of the driving age plan. Geez have the politicians nothing better to do then tell the people of the UK what they can and cant do down to how they raise their children? It makes you wonder what the word freedom means in the UK. I will tell you... its the new word for a country that every decision is made by a politician not by the individual.

Steve, Perth, Australia