Political Opportunism?

It has been reported that, in the apparently escalating row between senior Police Officers in England, and Westminster politicians, the Home Secretary has insisted that it is her job to tell Police Forces "what the public want them to do", and that this is that "the public wanted them to get tough".  This, I suspect, is just the kind of political oppotunism that has, sadly, become the norm with modern (career) politicians.

However, as a Police Force Chaplain, a taxpayer, and a concerned subject of HM the Queen, I am willing to accept the Home Secretary's description of her responsibility.  What I would wish to suggest to her is that the allegedly timid response of the police at the outbreak of the violence in London was a direct result of the 'politically correct' culture that has invaded every aspect of public (and, indeed, private) life throughout the UK.  My late father served with the RUC, and he would be horrified at the way in which the hands of his successors have been so effectively tied (or should that, in context, be 'cuffed'?!) so that an officer is as likely to be charged with assault as is the person who is being restrained/detained.

One of the assurances that I seem to recall the PM giving during the campaigning that led up to the last General Election was that the Human Rights legislation would be, if not scrapped, at least amended in order to ensure that criminals would be dealt with firmly. Perhaps officers, at every level, needed the 'assurance' that they had some backing from the government before providing the response that the public did (and do) indeed want.  It might help defuse the current row if the Government were to bring forward, as a matter of urgency, legislation leading to the early repeal of the Human Rights Act, and assure the Police that they have the authority to get as 'tough' as the public want them to be.

Education, education, education! (ex-PM Tony Bliar) - no typo!

When I was (much) younger, entrance to University was available to all who had the academic ability to successfully cope with a course that would lead to the award of an academic degree.  There was, already, a system of financial grants that ensured that one didn't have to be from the aristocracy in order to be able to attend University.  That academic ability was the main requirement and, I always felt, was necessary merely to matriculate!.

Under successive governments - and especially, it must be stated, those of a Socialist persuasion - University entrance appeared to become increasingly easier, as 'new' courses, complete with professorial chairs, were introduced in areas in which, twenty or thirty years earlier, no-one would have expected, or have been expected, to obtain a degree!  This meant that student numbers started to rise but, of course, this was spun as "equal opportunity" - the pre-eminent socialist mantra (although I have always detected something of the Orwellian thinking that, "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."!).

The increase in student numbers resulted in a situation in which the awarding of financial grants could no longer be afforded by the taxpayer, and neither of my own daughters received the financial aid that was afforded to me.  However, low-interest loans were available, and repayment was deferred until one was earning a reasonable amount.

The end result of all of this (admittedly simplified) was demonstrated in the rioting of, so-called, students in London, earlier today.  I can understand that they are unhappy with the propsed increases in fees (although how many will knuckle down to more time in the Library, studying, than in the bar, getting drunk?); I can understand that they are angry with the about-turn of the Lib-Dem members of the Coalition Government (although they should realise that promises are easily made in opposition - especially when there is no realistic possibility of being in government - but that the cold reality of office can make one see a situation somewhat differently!); but what I fail to understand is the indiscriminate damage caused to property, and the injury caused to police officers who, themselves, are subject to the austerity measures that effect most of us.  The word for the behaviour of that minority of 'students' - disowned by the president of the National Union of Students - is 'vandalism'; and those who are capable of academic research could do worse than to check out the etymology!

It was interesting that, in this evening's edition of The (Glasgow) Evening Times there is an article about the behaviour of 'yobs' in Glasgow City Centre!  One might be excused for saying that they had their counterparts in London, today.  The only difference is that the latter, or at least some of them, are presumably better educated!!!!