David Cameron: It is your fault if you are fat and poor.

[FairyMum]

Has anyone commented on the David Cameron-speech on moral neutrality? He is a price-dick, isn't he?

pmsl CD - I should get down the optician then! I'm a size 26 (I think obese by anyones definition!).. or maybe I am just big boned

Really?
You are v tall though IIRC

I would never have guessed that

I think this is a necessary speech to redress the balance.

We've heard an awful lot about how society is to blame - for poor education, health, inequality of opportunity etc. All this is true of course but it is not the whole picture.

Because there is an extent to which individuals in this country CAN shape their lives and do determine their own futures.

It is perfectly possible in our society for individuals to opt out of school and have 20 children and live on benefits for the rest of their lives. This is surely partly caused by themselves not solely caused by society.

Whilst I agree entirely with what Sixspot says (great post) I think it's necessary for individuals also to take personal responsibility.

BTW I am not a Tory, nor have I ever voted Tory. But I do think this is a necessary speech to make.

sfx - my mum is always trying to persuade me to go into politics. Truoble is I really need to join the "Sensible Party" and I don;t think there is one.

ooh CD - I feel positively svelte now!

I think it is important to have a debate about a number of issues. personal responsibility is a big deal and I wish there was more of it on all levels.
likewise there is a debate to be had on NHS funding, immigration, education, penal reform and so on
BUT we have a failing spineless government and elections looms no one will want a true debate when a few populist headlines will do

i say fair play to him.
what he said is nowhere near as inflammatory as the headline suggests "it's your fault etc"
he is just advocating people taking more personal responsibility for how their lives turn out but he also makes sure to mention that he accepts in certain cases their will be external factors that have a huge bearing.
i think it's about time people started being more accountable for their actions rather than just blaming the government.
it reminds me of all the mothers here (dublin) that you hear giving out about there being nothing to do for their children and it being the governments fault for their teenagers going out joy riding/robbing when in reality it is the teenagers choice.

giving people personal responsibility is never as easy as it looks tho

in education for example the idea was to give people choice and information and create a lev el playing feild

and it has been a total disaster

I was watching a piece on the news, I think yesterday about a scheme where someone would work with young at risk families when there was a baby, apparently from birth until the child is 2. they would provide support on all aspects of parenting including supporting parents finding work etc.

interesting possibly too expensive but presumably not as expensive as dealing with the consequences.

KC running as independent is an option, an expensive one but still an option

Herman and SWC - I agree - it is always "their" fault - the government, teachers, SS, the police - and on it goes.

Agree with HM - he didn't actually SAY what the headline says.

I get so annoyed when people start trotting out all the usual 'reasons' why they 'can't' exercise or eat healthily. Of course there are SOME people who are in desparate circumstances financially and mentally, and it is these people for whom the government has a duty to provide a safety net.

But what about the majority who seem to enjoy wallowing in their self pity. So many of these people WILL NOT BE HELPED.

And before people wade in saying I'm talking out of my arse, here's my experience - I;ve worked in healthcare service provision in some of the poorest areas of the country and this is the sort of response you get when you offer services/ help:

• I don't want free fruit and veg cos I don't have a peeler
• Violence and abuse to health visitors/ nurses trying to give advice about children's diets
• Uptake of free school meals abysally low - and not because of lack of awareness, but arrogance/ rebellion

What David Cameron says is absolutely true, and good on him for saying it (although I doubt it will help him politically). Why do people simply NOT see that by abdicating personal responsibility they are destroying this country? Our fat white pasty bodies are already the laughing stock of ur European neighbours.

Personally I think there are probably two generations of people in Britain today who are beyond redemption, and we should just start again with trying to re-educate the current very young children whose future will be blighted by their parent's attitudes and behaviours.

I have often wondered why the fundamental jobs in society are paid so badly and carry such low status. IMO sewage worker, waste collectors, hospital staff from cleaners to surgeons, teachers etc are vital for the health and wellbeing of society and should be paid enormously and respected by everyone. These jobs, I think, should be the highest paid as they are the most important to a functioning society.

while i agree with you that such people (street sweepers,sewage workers,hospital cleaners etc) are vitally important and i personally would never look down upon them (nor would i anyone for their profession except in extreme cases) the reason they are paid so poorly is because they are relatively low skill jobs.
they don't require much training and almost anybody can do them if they are prepared to do so. whereas accountants,lawyers,doctors require a huge level of training and are rewrded as such because so few people are qualified.

being an overweight person i think he is right, i certainly didnt take offence from what he said! People have stopped taking responsibility for themselves. I know lots of people who blame the government for things that are wrong in their lives, moan they have no money but then dont work and claim benefits. My own sister was like this a few years ago and always moaned about paying bills etc whilst on benefits. I think if you take responsibility for your actions and take pride in doing things for yourself then the world would be a better place. I am to blame for my obesity, i am to blame for spending too much and going into my overdraft, i am not poor as such but could definately do with paying more attention to my income and outgoings. My debt is my fault and i know that and wouldnt blame anyone but myself. My children are my responsibility and i couldnt blame the area i live in or my upbringing or anything for how my children are its all down to me and DH. Good on Mr Cameron for being straight and saying it like it is. Society has gone mad recently!!!!

Herman, fair enough but certain professions don't need to be paid such fantastically high wages or bonuses (imo)

The cleaners on the London tube are currently paid £5.50 per hour - most of their work is done overnight so that rate even includes a premium for unsocial hours.

Bonkerz - I admire your honesty.

"Herman, fair enough but certain professions don't need to be paid such fantastically high wages or bonuses (imo)"

depends, what jobs are you talking about?
i'd agree in the public sector/government jobs they can be out of touch in reality and over here (ireland) we have a ridiculous situation where consultants in hospitals are being paid twice.
in the private sector however i feel you are (for the most part) paid what you are worth to the company as business.

altohugh i'm sure you will now have a list of jobs and scenarios i haven't even thought of to make me look like i'm just waffling on.

totally agree with bonkerz, if my child grows up to be feral it will be my fault, not gordon browns or anybody else.
i am on the large side because i like chocolate, should i sue cadburys or just stop stuffing my face so often.
it is about time people took responsibility for their own lives and stopped trying to blame anybody they can think of.

haven't read his speech yet but PC'ness has gone too far - it's a shame he's said it before Labour - as for being fat and poor being your fault, I dount he said that , but will get to that when read it

i think you've nailed it bonkerz.

"i am on the large side because i like chocolate, should i sue cadburys"

Let me know if you do - we could bring a Group Action!!

David Cameron is a prize dick. There is no doubt about that. I can't bear him. Please god don't let him win the next election.

What on earth does he know about being poor? About the poverty trap? About not having a decent school to go to? About having parents who literally couldn't give a fig about your education?

Being fat? I don't know. It can be more complicated than just eating loads of chips and chocolate, can't it?

Why do people love chips so much in this country? It amazes me.