Frank Field for Labour leadership/Prime minister; the man talks sense.

[Shy talk]

Wise words from a wise man:

 

A deepening sense of malaise hangs over our society. Violent crime is widespread, family breakdown endemic.

Too many urban areas are scarred by anti-social behaviour, binge-drinking and drug abuse.

 

the Middle Ages to the early 19th century, Britain could be a pretty nasty place in which to live.

But it cannot be denied that during the Victorian age, the social fabric of our country underwent a remarkable transformation as all classes embraced the ethos of self-respect.

As a greater emphasis was placed on thrift, decency and social responsibility, rates of crime and illegitimacy both fell dramatically.

Rising standards of living partly explain this shift.

But even among the poor and badly-paid manual workers, living in dismal, often overcrowded conditions, there was a growing desire to behave respectably and with dignity.

It was an attitude reinforced not only by strong family structures, but also by a powerful network of civic institutions, including working men’s clubs, trades unions, churches and youth clubs.

Yet that culture, which prevailed in Britain until the early Sixties, now seems a world away.

In the past five decades, this positive social outlook has been largely eradicated.

The results can be seen all around us, whether it be in the growing number of fatherless, jobless households, or the failure of more and more parents to rear children properly.

 

As I argue in my first report to David Cameron, delivered this week, I believe we need to put good parenting skills at the heart of education — particularly for vulnerable young people who might receive no guidance from within their own chaotic families.

 

lessons in maths could be used to demonstrate how to manage a household budget, while classes in English literature, geography and history could look at successful parenting examples from all areas of life.

Put together, this could all add up towards a single GCSE qualification in parenting.

 

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1301747/Britains-biggest-crisis-Too-parents-dont-know-raise-children.html

[Vague_Boy]

Frank has a realistic and common sense view of things, unfortunately, plain speaking isn't wanted in the higher reaches of British politics.

 

"I don't know how some of my young constituents survive, given the toerags they have as nominal parents."

Frank Field MP

[Ms Macbeth]

Frank has a realistic and common sense view of things, unfortunately, plain speaking isn't wanted in the higher reaches of British politics.

 

To many, Frank Field says the unsayable.

 

The sixties were great! What most of us didn't realise then was that the freedoms that were opening up also came with responsibilities. Living together, and having children outside marriage was no longer a sin - and thats fine when both parties take responsibility for creating a life and supporting their child until adulthood. No-one would surely want to return to the days when single women were stigmatised because they became pregnant.

 

Unfortunately, 'freedom' became the norm for so many people who don't or can't understand the meaning of responsibility. People who turn to the state or the council or the benefits agencies for every bit of sustenance in their lives. People who constantly find someone or something to blame when their own circumstances aren't what they want.

 

Can things be turned around by educating the children? Can school ever teach children from truly disfunctional families what a decent family life is like? How do we encourage young people to work if they have never seen a parent or grandparent hold a job?

[alchresearch]

I have the utmost respect for Frank, even though he's a red.

 

He's the kind of person that a government needs, whatever the colour is in office. And the sooner we have the best from all parties managing the country, the better we'll all be.

[harvey19]

There has already been more sense spoken on this thread than on Question Time last night.

[Keith Rich]

Wise words from a wise man:

 

A deepening sense of malaise hangs over our society. Violent crime is widespread, family breakdown endemic.

Too many urban areas are scarred by anti-social behaviour, binge-drinking and drug abuse.

 

the Middle Ages to the early 19th century, Britain could be a pretty nasty place in which to live.

But it cannot be denied that during the Victorian age, the social fabric of our country underwent a remarkable transformation as all classes embraced the ethos of self-respect.

As a greater emphasis was placed on thrift, decency and social responsibility, rates of crime and illegitimacy both fell dramatically.

Rising standards of living partly explain this shift.

But even among the poor and badly-paid manual workers, living in dismal, often overcrowded conditions, there was a growing desire to behave respectably and with dignity.

It was an attitude reinforced not only by strong family structures, but also by a powerful network of civic institutions, including working men’s clubs, trades unions, churches and youth clubs.

Yet that culture, which prevailed in Britain until the early Sixties, now seems a world away.

In the past five decades, this positive social outlook has been largely eradicated.

The results can be seen all around us, whether it be in the growing number of fatherless, jobless households, or the failure of more and more parents to rear children properly.

 

As I argue in my first report to David Cameron, delivered this week, I believe we need to put good parenting skills at the heart of education — particularly for vulnerable young people who might receive no guidance from within their own chaotic families.

 

lessons in maths could be used to demonstrate how to manage a household budget, while classes in English literature, geography and history could look at successful parenting examples from all areas of life.

Put together, this could all add up towards a single GCSE qualification in parenting.

 

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1301747/Britains-biggest-crisis-Too-parents-dont-know-raise-children.html

 

Its obvious Frank Field has never read any Dickens. These links give a more realistic view of the terrible Victorian Era

 

http://www.hiddenlives.org.uk/articles/poverty.html

 

http://vcp.e2bn.org/justice/

[NoddyHolder]

I thought he was a singer ?

[Ms Macbeth]

I thought he was a singer ?

 

That was Frank Ifield.

 

Lets keep this on topic please.

[artisan]

I have the utmost respect for Frank, even though he's a red.

 

He's the kind of person that a government needs, whatever the colour is in office. And the sooner we have the best from all parties managing the country, the better we'll all be.

 

He is about as red as a banana.

His politics lay somewhere to the right of Atilla the Hun.

[andyofborg]

He is about as red as a banana.

His politics lay somewhere to the right of Atilla the Hun.

 

red banana's are nice :banana::banana:

 

he may be a rather right-wing left winger, but is he wrong?