Welcome to New Labours Britain

[JAG]

I have done a great deal of thinking on this issue since it really became a big political one, in the last few weeks. It made me think more because I have directly experienced what the politicians have all been ranting and raving about. I have adjusted my positions a bit as well because it is clear that something does need to be done. However I have to state that it does have nothing to do with Labour specifically, but more to do with consistent failure by all govts for a long time - though this govt has taken good measures to address the problems which I applaud it on.

My change of stance is this: though I still firmly believe that the causes of crime - being the underlying problems in society as EA touched on when he nicked my hat - are the real and long term reasons for this yobbish behaviour and the growth of it in recent years there needs more to be done than simply trying to fix the problems in society without tackling the current problems with the gang violence as well.

The recent upturn in this yobbish behaviour I think can be directly linked to the growing separation of the lower depths of the working class and the parts of the working class who, because of SOME of Thatchers policies, clawed themselves slightly higher up the ladder - right to buy being one - I still think the policy stinks and was a disgrace and never should have been brought in but that isn't the point.. It would be dishonest of me if I stated it didn't help some working class people gain footholds. But because of the same policies while some working class families got better off, a lot of specific areas in Britain and the lower ends of the working class got even more adrift and disgracefully under 8 years of a Labour govt that STILL hasn't been fully changed - areas such as ex mining towns, central London areas like Bethnal Green etc. This has meant the distrust and hate for the establishment and the disillusionment with some people has grown and the yobbish behaviour has become more violent.

Now though this still means the underlying problems in society are to blame and I still fully agree with that, the problem has evidently got worse, so with serious attempts to rebuild the faith in society - serious attempts like the New Deal and rebuilding community centres which this govt has done but oh so slowly and the speeding up of benefits to those in the most needy situations, which this govt has also done but so, so slowly - there needs to be short term crack downs on certain types of behaviour. Behaviour such as congregating in groups around certain points in town needs to be broken up by police because it does intimidate people, the banning of certain clothing such as the hoodies in specific places, etc. Measures like this should be taken but ONLY if they are done with the more important social changes. If that happened I think we would see a decline in the problems like we are witnessing.