A letter a day to number 10. No 1,005
Thursday 19 February 2015.
Dear Mr Cameron,
I would be very interested to know under what circumstances and on what evidence you came up with the idea that there is a need to – “get rid of that well-worn path from the school gate, down to the Job Centre, and on to a life on benefits”?
The entire education system is predicated on work and the work ethic/indoctrination permeates every level of society except, perhaps, at the level of the idle rich, about which I have no personal experience or knowledge other than as an oft heard expression.
I have only met one person in my entire life who expressed a desire to live on benefits as a life style choice, though I have known a fair few people, myself included, who considered occasional periods of signing on as an unpleasant occupational hazard in a life of work.
During my time in the North East of England I witnessed entire communities thrown on the dole by Thatcher, far from embracing that fate, had Thatcher visited them she’d have discovered, in no uncertain terms, exactly what they thought of that and her.
It is clear that your ideas about what it means to be working class and poor with limited life chances is based on little more than extreme class prejudice. It is unfortunate that because of your position you have endless opportunities to express your ignorance and prejudice on a daily basis. I learnt early on in writing these letters to avoid video content wherever possible, preferring to read transcripts where they are available. I suffer from high blood pressure and watching you talk utter nonsense does nothing except exacerbate my condition.
You are far from alone in stunning displays of ignorant prejudice, it’s a common trait in your government. David Freuds’ incredible statement that “people who are poorer should be prepared to take the biggest risks” as they have “the least to lose” should go down as a triumph of class prejudice and ignorance over reason and common sense.
I note that Esther McVey is telling girls if they want to get on in life they should run around outside, climb trees and make dens. It’ll be their own fault if they conform to gender roles and fail to achieve promotions and job offers in later life. I doubt whether patronising girls will really be very effective though, perhaps sanctions?
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/nov/23/lord-freud-welfare-poor-risk
Fear and Loathing in Great Britain 