IDS's Theories on our "Broken Society" (Chingford and Woodford Green Liberal Democrats)

Chingford and Woodford Green Liberal Democrats <info@cwglibdems.org.uk>

IDS's Theories on our "Broken Society"

December 11, 2008 12:38 PM

In a letter published in the Wanstead and Woodford Guardian (11th December 2008), Prospective Parliamentary Candidate Geoff Seeff takes Tory MP Iain Duncan Smith to task over his theory that marriage would prevent tragedies such as the murder of Baby P and other serious abuse of young children. Geoff says that whilst home life is extremely important, the focus on marriage per se is so narrow that it ignores other important influences on the behaviour of children and young adults - including that of school, television, role models and their peers. The full text of the letter, which was inevitably cut in its published version, follows:-

You report last week that Iain Duncan Smith, via his think tank, the Centre for Social Justice, wishes to see changes in the law that strengthen the institution of marriage and remove rights for cohabiting couples. He has apparently suggested that marriage, more than anything else, will cure our "broken society", an emotive and ill-defined term coined by the Tories, and could even prevent serious child abuse. If in fact he does believe this then, whilst no doubt sincere, it demonstrates that he is totally out of touch with reality.

A stable relationship has it own virtues - mutual support and companionship to name but two. Many, in fact most, of us choose to make a commitment to our partners publicly through marriage and now civil partnership. However, whether or not a couple have chosen to go through the formalities, the well being of their child is more a function of their physical presence (ideally, but not necessarily, both), the love and care they offer it and their ability to create a safe and nurturing home environment.

Apart from the horrific case of Baby P, there have been at least three other incidents of child neglect or abuse that have dominated the national news in recent months; the child allegedly "abducted" by her mother and her partner in order to claim a reward; the child starved to death whilst his parents drank in the pub below their apartment and the two girls raped by their natural father and who for fear of him endured a series of pregnancies without informing the authorities. Can anyone believe that the perpetrators of such depravity would have been deterred simply by the fact of being in a marital relationship?

These are exceptional cases and are not evidence of a "broken society" - the vast majority of our fellow citizens are responsible people who make valuable economic and social contributions. However, I would not disagree with Mr Smith that we face a number of challenges in ensuring that the small minority, whilst free to choose their own lifestyles, respect the rights of others and the basic rules of civil society. By focusing his analysis on marriage he ignores other significant influences on the attitudes and behaviour of children and young adults and fails to offer practical solutions to resolve the problems.

Liberal Democrats have developed a comprehensive and integrated set of social policies for supporting families which address matters such as childcare allowances, parental leave, parental and children's rights, counselling and youth crime. Your letters page is not the place for me to present our proposals but I look forward to debating them with Mr Smith when the time comes.