The Politics of Character

One of Labour's big objectives has been to give ordinary children the opportunity to get on in life. I am one who has benefited from such an opportunity.

But something significant has happened. The process whereby numbers of us from ordinary backgrounds, with our parents' help, rose up the social ladder, has stalled. Why?

Have comprehensive schools disadvantaged some bright working class boys and girls? Is the failure to continue to expand the numbers of middle class type jobs the culprit?

I would put forward another explanation. We need to look to the significant change in parenting that has occurred in Britain, particularly since the 1960s.

History teaches us that for all too long England was a pretty violent, uncouth country. From the mid Victorian period onwards however we began seriously to reform ourselves.

Working class movements - co-operatives, mutuals and trade unions - were the key drivers. This great age of respectability ushered in big changes in how children were raised. Being good parents became one of the great purposes of life.

Of course many people continue to meet this goal. But the numbers who do are on the decline.

Recent research has begun to explain how the different kinds of parenting affects not only how we behave, but also that the type of character we are determines our life-chances. But what type of parenting gives us the best life chances?

Research shows that the tough love approach produces not only good citizens, but gives our brains the skills to make the most of our education.

Might it not be that the failure of many people to know how best to parent their children accounts for children not realising their potential in school exam results. Education budgets have been doubled but exam results are still poor. Is it that more schools now have more children with characters who find it difficult to learn?

Tough love is easiest practised when both parents get on well together, make a real commitment to their children but who also lay down clear rules of behaviour and are fair in rewarding and punishing.

I have been campaigning on the importance of developing certain types of character since well before New Labour graced the scheme. On Monday the think-tank, Demos, called a press conference to launch its enquiry into character. This is a big step forward.

David Cameron was invited. So was Camilia Batmanghelidjh, the children's champion, and so was I.

All too many people on the Labour side think this debate is reactionary and people like me should have nothing to do with it. But it is one which will increasingly dominate the next few decades of politics.

We cannot let the Tories bag an issue that is going to be as big as this - just like we let them steal the council house sales idea. Back in the late seventies I tried to persuade the Wilson Government that selling council houses and using the monies to build new homes was a natural Labour issue.

I lost that fight. I am determined we shouldn't do the same with the new politics of character.

Date added: Friday 15th January 2010
Latest updated: Monday 26th July 2010