Fighting 'fascism' of compulsory CET

So, at last, we have it! If optometrists join in voluntary continuing education and training (CET), that makes compulsory CET more likely, not less, according to none other than the General Optical Council chairman, Rosie Varley. The College of Optometrists tells us that if we do not join in with its voluntary scheme then we will have compulsion. Now it appears that 'the ideal situation would be that compulsion be introduced at a time when it merely finalised current practice in the profession' (Rosie Varley, News, September 10). In a nutshell, if optometrists do not want compulsory CET, they should all stay out of the College's voluntary scheme. If they surrender to this scheme, then they will find it becomes compulsory. Our profession has bowed its neck to slavery in the past and found no shortage of bodies willing to enslave it. We are, right now, surrendering again over eye tests for over-60s. It is high time we stood together to oppose this next instalment of the creeping fascism of optical slavers. And before you ask, I go on several refresher courses a year, it is just that I do not think compulsion should be introduced without clear evidence of the need for it, which there manifestly is not. Philip Gregg Rugby, Warwickshire