We're sick of it

From Michael Howard's speech on law and order delivered today:

Ask these people what they think is at the root of many of the problems we face in society today, and they will say obvious things.

The things many politicians have been too frightened to say for far too long.

Why do some parents allow their children out until the early hours?

How does it help parents instil discipline if they are told that they cannot smack their children?

Why can't teachers discipline disruptive pupils any more?

It is to the people who ask these questions, who have been resolute but silent for so long - the backbone of our country - that I am addressing my comments to today.

Conservatives will stand up for the silent, law abiding majority who play by the rules and pay their dues.

We will put their rights first.

Like them, I have had enough of the culture of political correctness - which is designed to blur the distinction between right and wrong.

And like them, I have had enough of excuses for poor behaviour and crime.

This is exactly the kind of talk that traditional conservative party supporters want to hear. Why? Because it is the truth.

The current liberal social experiment is failing and has been gradually ruining Britain. I'm not just talking about New Labour though who are, if you like, just the tip of the yoghurt. It’s more systemic than that. Systemic in our policy makers (except, perhaps, the Home Secretary who is beyond classification), educators and in those that would like to and try to make policy through their media broadcasts and news commentary. You know, the politically correct brigade.

So much liberal poison has been injected into society that it is hardly surprising that some of it has been absorbed and to make matters worse there has been hardly any opposing message. Now, for some, the whole notion of taking responsibility is unimaginable. They already think that they are responsible. They feed their kids. They send them to school. What more can they possibly do?

But that is only part of the problem. There are many, many more people who understand the true meaning of responsibility. Responsibility for themselves, for their children and, in part, for the actions of those around them. But understanding responsibility and actually taking responsibility are two very different things and that is where the failure is felt the most.

Taking responsibility has been made almost as difficult as one can imagine by the state and by an small army of well placed people who have absorbed a mind set that they think is compassionate but which is actually a cancer, eating away at the very things that made Britain a great place to live.

Respect, responsibility, justice.

Respect, these days, can be bought for the price of a handgun, taking responsibility for your own safety is a well lit path to prison and justice continues to confuse the criminal with the victim.

We need more opposing messages, like the one delivered by Howard today and I have a feeling that the time is right for such messages too. People are fed up of being told what they may and may not do only to see an increasingly large criminal element enjoying life at their expense.

"Don't smoke or eat cake but do install that burglar alarm".

We're sick of it.

Posted by John at August 10, 2004 02:19 PM | TrackBack