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Peter Oborne
Peter Oborne is the Daily Telegraph's chief political commentator.
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The moral decay of our society is as bad at the top as the bottom
By Peter Oborne Politics Last updated: August 11th, 2011 4690 Comments Comment on this article
Tottenham ablaze: the riots began early on Sunday (Photo: AP) David Cameron, Ed Miliband and the entire British political class came together yesterday to denounce the rioters. They were of course right to say that the actions of these looters, arsonists and muggers were abhorrent and criminal, and that the police should be given more support. But there was also something very phony and hypocritical about all the shock and outrage expressed in parliament. MPs spoke about the weeks dreadful events as if they were nothing to do with them. I cannot accept that this is the case. Indeed, I believe that the criminality in our streets cannot be dissociated from the moral disintegration in the highest ranks of modern British society. The last two decades have seen a terrifying decline in standards among the British governing elite. It has become acceptable for our politicians to lie and to cheat. An almost universal culture of selfishness and greed has grown up. It is not just the feral youth of Tottenham who have forgotten they have duties as well as rights. So have the feral rich of Chelsea and Kensington. A few years ago, my wife and I went to a dinner party in a large house in west London. A security guard prowled along the street outside, and there was much talk of the north-south divide, which I took literally for a while until I realised that my hosts were facetiously referring to the difference between those who lived north and south of Kensington High Street. Most of the people in this very expensive street were every bit as deracinated and cut off from the rest of Britain
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as the young, unemployed men and women who have caused such terrible damage over the last few days. For them, the repellent Financial Times magazine How to Spend It is a bible. Id guess that few of them bother to pay British tax if they can avoid it, and that fewer still feel the sense of obligation to society that only a few decades ago came naturally to the wealthy and better off. Yet we celebrate people who live empty lives like this. A few weeks ago, I noticed an item in a newspaper saying that the business tycoon Sir Richard Branson was thinking of moving his headquarters to Switzerland. This move was represented as a potential blow to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, because it meant less tax revenue. I couldnt help thinking that in a sane and decent world such a move would be a blow to Sir Richard, not the Chancellor. People would note that a prominent and wealthy businessman was avoiding British tax and think less of him. Instead, he has a knighthood and is widely feted. The same is true of the brilliant retailer Sir Philip Green. Sir Philips businesses could never survive but for Britains famous social and political stability, our transport system to shift his goods and our schools to educate his workers. Yet Sir Philip, who a few years ago sent an extraordinary 1 billion dividend offshore, seems to have little intention of paying for much of this. Why does nobody get angry or hold him culpable? I know that he employs expensive tax lawyers and that everything he does is legal, but he surely faces ethical and moral questions just as much as does a young thug who breaks into one of Sir Philips shops and steals from it? Our politicians standing sanctimoniously on their hind legs in the Commons yesterday are just as bad. They have shown themselves prepared to ignore common decency and, in some cases, to break the law. David Cameron is happy to have some of the worst offenders in his Cabinet. Take the example of Francis Maude, who is charged with tackling public sector waste which trade unions say is a euphemism for waging war on low paid workers. Yet Mr Maude made tens of thousands of pounds by breaching the spirit, though not the law, surrounding MPs allowances. A great deal has been made over the past few days of the greed of the rioters for consumer goods, not least by Rotherham MP Denis MacShane who accurately remarked, What the looters wanted was for a few minutes to enter the world of Sloane Street consumption. This from a man who notoriously claimed 5,900 for eight laptops. Of course, as an MP he obtained these laptops legally through his expenses. Yesterday, the veteran Labour MP Gerald Kaufman asked the Prime Minister to consider how these rioters can be reclaimed by society. Yes, this is indeed the same Gerald Kaufman who submitted a claim for three months expenses totalling 14,301.60, which included 8,865 for a Bang & Olufsen television. Or take the Salford MP Hazel Blears, who has been loudly calling for draconian action against the looters. I find it very hard to make any kind of ethical distinction between Blearss expense cheating and tax avoidance, and the straight robbery carried out by the looters. The Prime Minister showed no sign that he understood that something stank about yesterdays Commons debate. He spoke of morality, but only as something which applies to the very poor: We will restore a stronger sense of morality and responsibility in every town, in every street and in every estate. He appeared not to grasp that this should apply to the rich and powerful as well. The tragic truth is that Mr Cameron is himself guilty of failing this test. It is scarcely six weeks since he jauntily turned up at the News International summer party, even though the media group was at the time subject to not one but two police investigations. Even more notoriously, he awarded a senior Downing Street job to the former News of the World editor Andy Coulson, even though he knew at the time that Coulson had resigned after criminal acts were committed under his editorship. The Prime Minister excused his wretched judgment by proclaiming that everybody deserves a second chance. It was very telling yesterday that he did not talk of second chances as he pledged exemplary punishment for the rioters and looters.
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These double standards from Downing Street are symptomatic of widespread double standards at the very top of our society. It should be stressed that most people (including, I know, Telegraph readers) continue to believe in honesty, decency, hard work, and putting back into society at least as much as they take out. But there are those who do not. Certainly, the so-called feral youth seem oblivious to decency and morality. But so are the venal rich and powerful too many of our bankers, footballers, wealthy businessmen and politicians. Of course, most of them are smart and wealthy enough to make sure that they obey the law. That cannot be said of the sad young men and women, without hope or aspiration, who have caused such mayhem and chaos over the past few days. But the rioters have this defence: they are just following the example set by senior and respected figures in society. Lets bear in mind that many of the youths in our inner cities have never been trained in decent values. All they have ever known is barbarism. Our politicians and bankers, in sharp contrast, tend to have been to good schools and universities and to have been given every opportunity in life. Something has gone horribly wrong in Britain. If we are ever to confront the problems which have been exposed in the past week, it is essential to bear in mind that they do not only exist in inner-city housing estates. The culture of greed and impunity we are witnessing on our TV screens stretches right up into corporate boardrooms and the Cabinet. It embraces the police and large parts of our media. It is not just its damaged youth, but Britain itself that needs a moral reformation. Tags: andy coulson, Crime, David Cameron, Denis MacShane, Ed Miliband, Financial Times, Francis Maude, George Osborne, Gerald Kaufman, Hazel Blears, justice, London, london riots, moral reformation, MPs' expenses, Sir Philip Green, Society, Switzerland, tax, Tottenham, uk riots X Share & bookmark Delicious Facebook Google Messenger Reddit Recent Posts Twitter The moral decay of our society is as bad at the top as the bottom Digg August 11th, 2011 20:25 4690 Comments Fark In this grave crisis, the world's leaders are terrifyingly out of their depth August 6th, 2011 19:50 661 LinkedIn Comments We covered up our involvement in torture. Now we must expose it Google Buzz 4th, 2011 20:53 August 838 Comments StumbleUpon In the post-Murdoch age, politics can develop genuine substance July 28th, 2011 22:11 Y! Buzz Comments 295 What are these?crisis will give Germany the empire its always dreamed of The euro July 21st, 2011 22:46 Share: Share 1566 Comments X Share & bookmark
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4709 comments Add a comment Comment with a Telegraph account Login | Register with the Telegraph Alternatively... Comment with one of your accounts Showing 25 of 4709 comments Order by Real-time updating is enabled. Follow with email Follow with RSS JSchumpeter Yesterday 08:31 PM Recommended by 5 people Well said and not before time!
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Every syllable is correct. Anyone who argues differently is part of the vested interest problem and not the solution! Report Recommend Ari Blake Yesterday 06:23 PM Recommended by 1 person How does a politician become a politician? IMO they have been chosen by those with money and power to do their bidding and not the bidding of those who elected them. All politicians are 'compromised' before they are even elected. So why do I remonstrate on sites such as this? Because I am powerless to do otherwise as I am neither rich nor powerful. When politicians are paid the minimum wage and their assets frozen (when in office) or unable to take ANY other 'post' whilst in office, I may then revise my opinion - and I said "may"! Report Recommend delfino Yesterday 04:54 PM Recommended by 8 people Three cheers for Peter Oborne, you completely hit the mark. In the last few years i have been sickened to the pit of my stomach at the appalling behaviour of politicians; their simpering mealy mouthed lies. They basically appear to have turned into crooks. Will i ever vote again? i very much doubt it. Then the world economic crisis convinced me there was absolutley no point in voting as the world is run by greedy, avaricious bankers. There's an amazing You Tube video, commentary by Matt Damon, that explains what led to the crisis. In respect of the American economy, the very people who were the architects of the collapse of Lehman Brothers and AIG are now employed in senior positions in the Obama administration? This could turn into a boring rant but i have neither the time or energy but PLEASE Peter Oborne get on every TV programme that you can and spread your word far and wide. With luck perhaps someone will listen and take head. Report Recommend stinger777 Yesterday 03:11 PM Recommended by 1 person The riots have proved that many who participated in the riots are elements of the EDL. Many of the white youths arrested were questioned and known to police because of their involvement or support for the EDL. It's time we stop their benefits now and then see if they still spread chaos and hate on our streets. Report Recommend manufacturingcontempt Yesterday 09:41 PM and your evidence for this is?
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because it contradicts David Lammy MP Far-right anti-immigration groups are seeking to create "division" over last week's riots, David Lammy has warned. The Labour MP, whose Tottenham constituency was recovering from the first outbreak of disorder seven days ago, said both the English Defence League and the British National party had been "seeking to stoke resentment" for their own political ends. Report Recommend SB_UK Yesterday 02:56 PM http://www.independent.co.uk/n... 'Indians fed up with the culture of bribery and favouritism at all levels of government, from the rural village to the national parliament.' Beginning to see a pattern ?? There's a built in selection (in those who would become politicians) for ease of corruption. The reason for the connection is to be found in the illogical mind which a mind housing ego, which a politician must support - in order to become a politician must support - a mind (ego) which truly believes that s/he can make a difference. Money makes the world go round. The global economy makes the world go round. The local national politician is simply an empty role which remains to give the rich an outlet for their time and careers, whilst simultaneously creating the impression (smokescreen) - the appearance of local self-determination (democracy ~etc~). If we could attempt to re-run history - changing conservative for labour in all post-WWII elections - we'd find that they'd all behave pretty much identically. And we're watching on as the global economy (in a pre-meditated act) makes the world go down. {{{ Reset }}} in a post-apocalyptic world where global political, economic and legal convergence has occurred - and the eco-currency which we elect to put in place, does not require money. Report Recommend brard Yesterday 02:45 PM Recommended by 5 people Finally a such good paper about these events. Not good, wonderful, and brave ! Thanks from a french guy, M. Oborne. Lionel Brard Report Recommend
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osh Yesterday 02:25 PM Recommended by 1 person Just sent the following to 5Live. Just read the reports that Murdoch/Brookes/Coulson have been recalled before the Commons Select Committee. Please can you ask Robert Peston - should it be proved that they have either lied to or deliberately mislead the Committee, can you tell me what options Parliament/the Committee have open to them to punish the above. I ask this as, in the past few days/weeks, we have seen Politicians and the Police rightly and understandably talk tough with and hand out harsh sentences to rioters who have broken the law. Here we are with millionaires and billionaires who can afford the best legal counsel that money can buy who seem, on the surface, to be getting away with far more serious crimes. I do NOT condone for one second people rioting - they should be punished with the full might of the law. However, for ordinary men and women to believe in justice we must know what the Committee can do and, if Murdoch et el, are proved to have lied and are then not punished, how do our leaders keep their positions. If Robert doesnt know the answer can one of your researchers please find out and read it out. Surely they become untenable and I cant see how Mr Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Francis Maude and Iain Duncan-Smith to lecture others on the morality of crime. If they dont get this right it could bring the government down Report Recommend gmseed Yesterday 01:58 PM Recommended by 3 people Yes, lead by example and the MP Expenses Leeches are the worst in the barrel. For example, MP Jim Devine was caught stealing from the taxpayer, argued and argued for months costing the taxpayer more money through legal fees, didn't pay any of the stolen money back and when sentenced to 16 months is now out after serving just 4 months. MPs do not stand on sufficiently high moral ground in which to criticise others. Report Recommend crumbleapple Yesterday 12:44 PM Recommended by 12 people Excellently put, so when's the revolution Peter? I take issue with the 2 decades. My feeling is that the lowering of standards among the rich and powerful began when Thatcherism took hold and this idea that the best must be
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employed at the rate for the job became what Jim Callaghan described as 'snouts in the trough'. It's significant that some lose their jobs and watch their lives crumble around them, while others, top executives and football managers among them, lose theirs and become considerably wealthier with contract pay offs and consultancies to display their 'expertise'. We are now reaping the harvest from the crop planted in the early 80s. Report Recommend i_2_s Yesterday 12:42 PM Recommended by 8 people great article Peter - i agree that the only difference between rich looters and poor looters is that the wealthy can afford lawyers that make their crimes legal, but no less abhorrent. i disagree when you say that "nobody got angry or held culpable" in reference to Sir Philip Green. actually, he has been one of the main targets for UkUncut (see: http://www.ukuncut.org.uk/targ.... I think you should have acknowledged this, because too often I see negative comments about UkUncut, e.g. your colleague Damian Thompson. As far as I have seen from their actions, they are a group of concerned citizens, mostly young people, who put their own lives at risk of arrest and prison, without using any kind of violence and for no materialistic gain, just to make the same point you are now making - that there's a deeply unjust and morally corrupt system in the UK, which justify cuts in public spending and say 'we're all in it together' when this is plainly false (see The Times's list of 100 richest in Britain having increased their wealth by 25%). David Cameron's going back to the 1880s not the 1980s, Victorian Britain not Thatcherite. Report Recommend Von Rintelen Yesterday 12:14 PM Recommended by 3 people To sum up: we are led by the cream of criminality well canned and unimpeachable. The masses by constrast are the dregs of society, whom in olden days would have been sent over seas for a shilling or day to die in some foreign field, or on board a pirate ship or privateer, led by Drake or Frobisher. But of course we all forget that oil at 1% global consumption rate has only until 2046 until it starts to suffer from rationing as scarcity bites. As gas and coal are dependent on oil for extraction, they too will suffer huge declines.Thus we should expect deep recessions, followed by massive inflationary periods as money is printed to sustain the paper money economy. Riots will therefore become the norm rather than one off incidents as inflation pushes food prices ever upwards. When the doubling of food costs occurs per month, per week and eventually per day, we will understand why. Over 80% of the food we eat is the product of oil energy. Think of all those harvesters, machines, ships, lorries. Think about those pesticides and even fertilizers (natural gas is also the product of oil). Civilization is surely doomed within the next 70 years. If you were born after 1966 expect to die in misery and poverty. Report Recommend
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Ari Blake Yesterday 06:36 PM Dredging up some vague memories of the 60s, I seen to remember two things which may (or may not) be of interest. 1. Ford Motor Co bought the patent to a H2O engine (albeit lubricated by petroleum products) - From a Cornishman, I think? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v... This is akin to the technology, patent held by Ford. 2. An electric engine was developed that could power a family sized car. The engine was the size of 'pack of 20 fags'. The developers were waiting on 'ceramics to develop as the ??????? (cannot remember what it was called) spun at very high speeds and generated a vast amount of heat. http://www.livescience.com/696... The possibilities are endless. Report Recommend ukcommenter Yesterday 11:06 AM Recommended by 12 people Brilliant and courageous as Peters article is and it *is* indeed both it is glad to see he is not the only voice speaking some sense as Nina Power here in the Guardian is doing also: http://www.guardian.co.uk/comm... Her point is that the riots are just the tip of the iceberg, in that they form the ugliest part of a general protest against both economic deprivation and inequality, pointing out in Tottenham where the rioting started, there are something like 54 unemployed people for every job on offer contrary in the extreme to Boris Johnsons therefore deluded and dishonest claim in the Telegraph recently that there were plenty of jobs for young people and also that there has been a general feeling among the black and gang community that the police can murder them at will with impunity, with the death of black alleged gang member Mark Duggan that triggered the riots, and 333 other deaths in police custody since 1998, for which not one single police officer has been convicted. It is important also to get perspective on what the rioters actually *did*. The public has been mostly terrified and thus supportive of tougher policing measures, but with few exceptions, 90% or more of the rioting was not attacks on the general public or their property, but on *businesses* (mainly shops, and mainly high profile or chain stores) and *on the police.* And in any case, though the police claim 186 officers were injured none were killed, and apart from one death of the elderly man who foolishly (in my view) confronted a gang of rioters (people have after all died, just trying to discourage gangs of youths from vandalising their cars long before now), and 3 others in some kind of hit and run incident, the only cold-blooded, premeditated killing that took place was that by the police on Duggan. Id like to point out by the way, I personally abhor the gang culture, and would in theory like to see the army sent in to destroy the power base of these gangs, but Im not sure that is now even a realistic option, and would most probably lead to something like a minor civil war with hundreds dying, including probably innocent people being killed in the cross fire.
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Because the real blame for allowing this gangster culture to develop unchecked for decades now lies with successive governments themselves, for turning a blind eye to this festering cancerous type problem, which threatens every community with armed and violent criminals who have good reason to believe they are above the law. The government however, as in Boris Johnsons comments, which though are by far more reasoned than Mr Camerons, refuses to accept that social inequality and lack of social mobility and joblessness is the main cause of all the troubles, just as it was in Northern Ireland, with the Irish Catholics mostly unable to get jobs and also liable to be maltreated and murdered by the police (who in Northern Ireland have *always* been armed) and abused and discriminated against by the Protestant majority. And Peters article itself is mainly about the state of denial that politicians and the rich and powerful are in about their own larcenous and grabbing mentality, and refusal to accept that morals and responsibilities and the law should apply equally to them as to the poor people. And as Ive said, it is essential to realise, despite the hyping up of a few incidents which were attacks on private citizens, that the main protest and violence was against the police, not the public, and the main rioting was about looting city centre businesses and not attacks on the property or homes of private citizens. That is the dirty trick and ruse being played by the government, putting the public in fear, whereas in fact when it was almost entirely just rioting against the police and looting of shops, there is no rational basis to think that the public in general has been at risk. In that assessment it is also vital to notice that though many of the rioters were undoubtedly gang members apparently *no firearms* were used or even it appears found on any of the people arrested. But the continual failure and refusal of the government and indeed many opposition politicians to take responsibility for the wider situation, of which this gang rioting and criminality is just the extreme symptom, but instead just call for tougher policing like disgraced and expenses abusing MP, Hazel Blears, for me calls into question the whole basis of our political system. The basic problem being, that because of the nature of political party funding, we have ended up with every government in living memory since Mrs Thatcher being effectively in the pockets of the rich and powerful, with it now being openly admitted that people like Rupert Murdoch have been popping in and out of the back door of number 10 like a jack-in-the-box, presumably *giving their orders*. After the MP expenses scandal, we were promised political reform, to take the corruption out of British politics forever, but all we got in the end was more politicians cosying up to billionaires and the appointment of unelected business czars like Tottenhams own ex-chairman Alan Sugar, or in the case of New Labour, the equally unelected and even more dubious business secretary. Peter Mandelson. The public therefore, instead of supporting the no doubt increasingly Draconian policies the government wants to put into effect, such as National Service for all 16 year olds as opposed to giving them *jobs* and *apprenticeships* and thus a future in society and in my view, wholly against their human rights would Mr Cameron or Johnson like to do that *now* please, seeing as how they missed out at age 16 on it? needs to refocus its attention on the corrupt and above all *unrepresentative* nature of the British politicians. Basically, the intimate and ultimately *conflict of interests* connection between politicians and the rich needs to be broken, because politicians cannot possibly serve a rich elite and the general public with equal justice, when they are almost by definition, due to dependency on political donations and media support for elections, in the pockets of the rich, as the recent NOTW scandal has shown only too well, with Mr Cameron appointing Andy Coulson, and the last 3 prime ministers Blair, Brown and Cameron - all even being on kissing terms with the
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ex-boss of 2 successive major newspapers Rebekkah Brooks. How this divorce of politics from rich or indeed politically biased union funders can be achieved requires much thought, though is now plausible, especially with almost universal TV and Internet ownership. What we need are *independent* politicians, who for example in my view should be excluded from political office if they have a personal fortune of over 1m pounds, and forced even then to sell any company shares if they want to be free of conflict of interest accusations, and thus fit for public office. The funding of *elected* politicians generally, should be at the public expense, and in my view we should have public funded mechanisms for example Internet polls on prospective candidates who could for example make a YouTube video of themselves explaining their beliefs, policies and persuading us of their suitability for office who could then be selected and elected on a *true* democratic basis. For failing that kind of reform, and power going only to whoever has the richest funders, or best advertising agency and PR campaigns, we are just going to get more of these essentially political puppets of the rich, who represent and protect the interests of only a tiny proportion of society, and thus refuse to accept the reality of social injustice and appear now to be only increasingly likely to resort to Draconian measures to maintain the status quo, with only more of the predictable violence and rioting on the streets and criminal behaviour that we have had so far. So please, let us not get carried away with demonising low class poor people and their sometimes criminal behaviour, but realise that to have *real* and *lasting* solutions, we need to revolutionise and eliminate the bias and corruption in *the political system* itself, and thus eject these unrealistic and incompetent people from power, who otherwise in their stubborn refusal to accept wrong in high places as well as low, are only going to cause us all to live in further deprivation, chaos and fear. Report Recommend tracy allott Yesterday 11:00 AM Recommended by 4 people It was nice to read the column about moral decay when on a train last week. I am long term disabled after an attack on me that my local PCT put farcially was a delusion for years and still seek legal justice in hard courts of S Yorks. I have been putting similar about moral decline and vulnerable abuse and social injustice, in small articles for All Voices US media who let me write for them for the last 4 months and will eventually pay me a bit. I am on google search at www.allvoices/users.com/Tallott Whilst I do not think saying this will get me a big job or status like your established writers, it is encouraging that senior media personnal dare say what I and probably many more think on the quiet. I have had feelings about society going down down which I pinned down in my mind to past 15-20 years. **Doncaster court have just put that a father was allowed to drop his baby on the head and let it die. Previously baby taken in to care then put back. Court threw uncle out for saying it was murder. Called contempt of court. Whatever one thinks of judicial system it was not moral.Now. thanks for any attention given to this. Tracy Allott Barnsley S Yorks Report Recommend
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David Page Yesterday 10:54 AM Recommended by 8 people Watching events unfold in the UK, all these miles away in New Zealand, made me feel very sad - the country I know and love has ceased to be, it is now in the grips of a culture of greed and irresponsibility, violence and disrespect at every level. It has become a foreign country to me and I now know that I can never return to live and live there. Peter, your article encapsulated everything I too observe, but I fear it will go unheeded and ignored. I feel passionately about Britain, but it's hard to see how the country will ever change when the criminals are running the show. Report Recommend attentive Yesterday 07:33 AM Recommended by 12 people Great article. About time we had some sensible and honest analysis of the problems with our society. Well done Peter Osborne Report Recommend NadePaulKuciGravMcKi Yesterday 06:40 AM Recommended by 1 person VIP Criminals = Mass Murder Report Recommend stocasticus Yesterday 02:23 AM Recommended by 6 people Spot on Peter !!!!!! Report Recommend Renatus Yesterday 02:08 AM Recommended by 6 people It's refreshing to finally read an article which addresses the true scale of the problem - especially following David Starkey's narrow-minded hogwash of 'whites' becoming 'black'. Unfortunately, I suspect there is no way back from this moral decay. Material wealth is the new standard of decency and this has turned us into avaricious free agents with the sole aim of enriching ourselves. When everyone is guilty, the only crime is getting caught. Report Recommend stocasticus
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Yesterday 02:30 AM Recommended by 4 people What Starkey said was spot on. The black gangster rap culture from the US has echoed a truth within some of our youth, and that attitude has been taken on board and lived out. If this is the case then this only tells us something is bad about our country and moral state, that our youth can so easily relate to such people. Report Recommend Ari Blake Yesterday 09:16 AM Recommended by 2 people Doesn't anyone remember their adolescence? As a young teenager in the 60's I got the buckle end of my dad's belt for 'flower power speak' and clipped around the ear many times by adults who didn't realize my peace sign was not a 'two finger salute'. Adolescents will always have 'strange' habits, language, music, fashion ...... 'Gangster ' is just flower power, goth, new age, punk etc. And the fact it annoys/irritates adults is just a bonus! Lay off young people. They are only copying/ emulating what they see going on around them. NB: Under 20% of rioters/looters charged were under 18 Report Recommend Renatus Yesterday 02:50 AM Recommended by 5 people David Starkey was wrongly suggesting that listening to rap music and wearing jeans low are precursors to a life of crime. This article points out that there is something more fundemental. After all, the rap culture is just a crude tribute to the ideal of consumerism that accepted by almost all parts of society. Report Recommend willson2011 Yesterday 01:41 AM Recommended by 4 people On morality and the RSB and other British banks investment in Cluster Bombs, so many of which "lie unexploded after initial impact that they routinely maim and kill civilians, particularly children drawn to their bright, toy-like colours, long after they have been dropped" - see todays Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/o... It ends "In the aftermath of last week's riots, the Prime Minister has talked a great deal about morality. His government should set an example. The current situation makes a mockery of the spirit of the CCM (Cluster Munitions Convention). We have a moral obligation to change it." Surely DT readers will agree? Report Recommend mirescat Yesterday 01:35 AM
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Recommended by 7 people Mr. Oborne, I read your article and thought you were talking about America. Change the name of the politicians and elite and the story is the same. Bravo to you to tell it straight. There hasn't been an uprising in America yet, but we surely are next for the same outpouring of anger toward the very wealthy and 'influencial' society who think they are above our social ills, and I can't pay any more to help make it better! I don't condone the riotous acts, but I certainly understand where they are coming from. Report Recommend Social Media Reactions
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JamesDelingpole Yesterday 04:06 PM From twitter London riots: Cameron has learned nothing; will do nothing http://t.co/8PcxqXI
krishgm Yesterday 03:05 PM From twitter Clive Goodman's News of the World letter: this really puts David Cameron on the spot Telegraph Blogs http://t.co/VFoorwh
WillHeaven Yesterday 02:43 PM From twitter David Cameron made a cast-iron promise about Andy Coulson last month. Will he keep it? http://t.co/6QB0MUF
MaryRiddell Yesterday 12:06 PM From twitter At last - a shift from prison mania: Nick Clegg has an alternative to bang-'em-up fever. Good Tel Blogs: http://t.co/nkD4iUz via @AddThis
DaftLimmy 08/15/2011 03:33 PM From twitter English racist apologists. http://t.co/p5tC29H (Thanks @GrantCMcDonald)
JohnRentoul
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08/15/2011 01:39 PM From twitter The Chinese Communist Party finally bows to a street protest Peter Foster, Telegraph Blogs http://t.co /9FMekZn
toadmeister 08/15/2011 01:34 PM From twitter Here's my analysis of the cause of the riots, published 24 hours before Starkey's appearance on #Newsnight http://t.co/7toJZsl
TomChivers 08/14/2011 07:07 PM From twitter That is... well, that is an unfortunate photo, Michelle Bachmann http://t.co/3B2fw6I (on @tobyharnden's blog)
JamesDelingpole 08/14/2011 10:18 AM From twitter If David Starkey is racist then so is everybody http://t.co/76EKgAu
benjaminjackson 08/13/2011 10:00 PM From twitter Quite possibly the best photo ever taken of a politician http://t.co/WAnXnad via @davewiner Trackback URL
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The Moral Decay of Our Society Is As Bad at The Top As The Bottom - Telegraph Blogs

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The Moral Decay of Our Society Is As Bad at The Top As The Bottom - Telegraph Blogs

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The moral decay of our society is as bad at the top as the bottom Telegra...

afghanistan animal welfare

david miliband Ed Balls Ed Miliband eu euro Eurosceptic General Election 2010

Famed economist predicts economic calamity in 2012. See the evidence.

Shocking discovery by Cambridge researchers for amazing joint relief...

How this strange African fruit is making Americans skinny.

Should Congress Repeal Obama's Policies? Vote here in national poll.

Follow Us Apps Epaper Expat Promotions Subscriber Syndication

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