Gary's views

Gary's weekly views

Each week an article by Gary has appeared in the Plympton Plymstock and Ivybridge News in South West Devon. The articles are published here

RESPECT

The Prime Minister has stated that he wishes to establish a culture of respect. There is little doubt that the prevailing yob/rights/me me me culture is getting out of hand and needs to be tackled. The problem takes many forms: from groups of youths gathering locally intimidating others through their behaviour, language and numbers; a lack of respect for teachers, police and those in authority rendering them unable to keep order; to the latest craze sweeping some cities of groups of teenagers selecting a victim at random to attack, filming the assault on a mobile phone camera, and no doubt chuckling over the gruesome pictures later, knocking back the vodka. How did we get here?

There are many reasons. There has been a complete collapse of a values framework in recent years. For all its imperfections, the church used to provide our country with a clear set of values (love your neighbour, do your best, respect those in authority etc) that used to shape our society. That voice has now been sidelined, to be replaced by the message that we can each create our own set of values. The collapse of stable families has led to irresponsible parenting in some chaotic households, producing youngsters who have never known love or security, never been taught right from wrong. The media daily asserts that personal gratification is all that matters and that any lifestyle or code of conduct is as valid as any other. We have lost a sense of mutual respect, public morality, family and community. There are doubtless other reasons too.
What are we at Westminster going to do about it?

I would like to take the next 4 weeks in these articles to discuss what I think might be done, breaking down the potential areas for intervention into: the home; school; the community and finally the media. I will start next week with some thoughts about how there might be effective intervention in homes where things are going astray – a very difficult, but crucial area.

Let me finish this week on a few positives. Most young people are fantastic and full of potential and we should not tar everyone with the same brush. It is important not to exaggerate the scale of the problem. Our region is less affected (so far) than other parts of the country.

I also believe in the human spirit. We will get through this, but only if we make the right decisions.

posted by Nigel on Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Gary's weekly views

Each week an article by Gary has appeared in the Plympton Plymstock and Ivybridge News in South West Devon. The articles are published here

THE NEXT FOUR YEARS

Thank you to everyone who voted me in again on 5th May as your MP. It is still a privilege to be elected to Parliament, and of course I will do my best to represent and help everyone, irrespective of how they voted.

So what will the next 4 or 5 years hold? It promises to be action packed. A smaller majority will make the House of Commons much more meaningful – good news for democracy.

I have decided not to go back onto the front bench for the time being. I want to dig down deep into some of the real problems facing our society and try and find solutions in a way that the cut and thrust of front bench work simply does not permit.

It seems to me that anti-social behaviour is one of the greatest challenges facing us all. From 3 and 4 year olds arriving at school already out of control, to pupils disrupting lessons at school, to teenage delinquency, binge drinking and general disorder, the patchy police response – we have a growing problem.

So I have asked to serve on the Home Affairs select committee in the hope that we can examine these issues in depth and produce new thinking on the way forward.
I also want to play my full part in the debate now raging about the future of the Conservative party. We have been marooned on an island of 32% support since 1992, so more of the same simply will not do. I believe it important that this nation has a strong centre-right party as part of the political landscape and will do my bit to make sure we are in a fit state to take office again.

There are huge local issues that we all face: our own problems of marauding youngsters; the impact of the proposed new town at Sherford on existing communities; fighting for a fair deal for Devonport Dockyard and continuing to try and get some NHS dentists back in this part of the world.

Unless the French or Dutch kill off the EU Constitution shortly there is also the small matter of a referendum next spring. I see this as make or break for the future of Europe and I will be campaigning hard for a “no” vote.

One way or another the weeks ahead will be busy and fascinating. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to play my small part in shaping events.

posted by Nigel on Tuesday, May 24, 2005