Monday, April 23, 2007

David Cameron is Dead Right!

David Cameron gave a speech today in which he discussed social responsibility and how the state is infantalising society by treating everyone like children. It has some interesting ideas. (The BBC has this)

At it's core is the idea that individuals should not ask what the country can do for them but what they can do for the country (now where have I heard that idea before) because the tendency to assume the state can fix all ills has caused ever increasing amounts of legislation and the state pocking its nose further and further into peoples live.

The effect of all this is that many people leave too many things up to the state which is then not able to provide.

What I found most interesting is that whilst Labour were casting scorn on the ideas as mere "fluff" the Sun has clearly taken on board Cameron's message. (Not that I take that much notice of the Sun), in its leader here.

The Sun says:
DAVID Cameron is dead right.

British society has become pathetically hooked on the State.

Police officers no longer collar villains to avoid form-filling. Teachers can’t discipline yob pupils for fear of reprisals. Kids run amok on our streets and public transport because no one will stop them.

And it’s always “the Government’s fault”.

Britain is Great because of its people. We have always been a stubborn bunch who get the job done. We have never been a nation of handwringers. Nor have we turned our back on those in need.

Every single one of us has a duty. A duty to say what’s right and what’s wrong.

JFK said “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

He was right then. And Cameron is right now.
Clearly the message resonates with people, who instinctively feel it is correct. Good. It is.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Tom McNulty gave a cringe worthy performance attacking this speech on BBC News24 this afternoon.
New Labour "spin" words now in vogue and to be slipped in at every interview appear to be vacuous, lift/back ground muzik and the old favourite opportunistic. When did it become unfashionable to be opportunistic when in opposition, it worked a treat for Labour back in the 90's!

Seem to have ignored this speech over on ConHom, still too busy putting the boot in about Cameron having the affront to approach a non conservative to run on a tory ticket, god knows what will happen if a Labour or Libdem MP defects, will we see calls for "thanks but no thanks you have have been a member of another party"!
Where do they think the voters who might elect a conservative government are going to come from?

James Higham said...

And so the next step is?

Benedict White said...

ChrisD, Yes i know they will spin against it, but ultimately the message clicks with people.

Con Home? Hmm..

James, good question, I don't know I don't work in policy!