MiniMatt

Legalised? I'm a "no". Possibly see some argument for decriminalisation on the front line supply side as it really doesn't help anyone that screwed up to give them a criminal record to boot - although from what I understand of policing priorities I get the impression that's pretty much the current situation, ie. with much more effort at tackling punters and pimps.

Main reason for the "no" is that our current Daily Mail inspired crop of stories of "work shy scroungers" would effectively create a state mandated employment of last resort. Can't get a job? Then give that dirty fat old man a BJ or lose your benefits you scum... Terminal cancer patient? Doesn't stop you lying back and thinking of England, no disability for you you scrounger...

Other than that, whilst what follows is purely conjecture as I have no experience or evidence, I get the strong impression that those who come out of a career in prostitution are invariably screwed up by the experience. I suspect tales of the happy and/or wealthy hooker are few and far between. Used to live near a particularly grotty area of Nottingham and from what I saw of the street workers there they all looked poor, screwed up and dead behind the eyes. I can't see legalisation improving that any, whilst at the same time it could greatly increase the numbers of people exposed to that life through an increased societal acceptance.