Subject: Broken Britain?

I hate the term 'Broken Britain'. I think the tories' use of it is disgusting. The media have such power to influence the way we think about the bits of society we don't see. It is up to us as the third sector to show all the good stuff that is happenning.

There have always been groups in society who have a rough deal and who cause trouble. I don't think there is more or less now, just that we are shown it more graphically and it is used to sell papers and fill 24-hour news air-time.

Broken Britain was touted by David Cameron in 2007 as an attack on what was seen as Broken Society and the breakdown of traditional family values.  In the same year reports showed Britain coming bottom in a number of international league tables including mental health of young people. 

It seems a question about whether we are motivated by fear by painting a picture of how black things may appear to be or  whether we are inspired to make change by a vision of how things can be.  I find the need to find a bogey man to run from (previously terrorism) is deeply worrying and it is hard to see how this helps. 

Britain is not perfect but our choice is how we react to imperfection – do we strive to change it or do hide behind gated communities.  The response from the Third Sector is very clear - we strive to make change– and we are also able to celebrate the things that do go well.

Cameron's talk of 'broken Britain' is simply a stick with which to beat an unpopular incumbent whilst simultaneously pandering to traditional Tories potentially ostracised by his repositioning of the party. It's crude electioneering.

Whilst there are numerous problems throughout society (as ever...) Cameron's targets are predictably familiar; namely the poor, young, urban and those most lacking opportunity. The blanket demonisation of the nation's teenage population is particularly depressing considering these are the people who will succeed us in our various roles in society. Much like the seeming desire in government to forget the idea of habeas corpus

we are simultaneously instilling in them distrust, fear, condescension and worse whilst looking at them as perpetrators of some undefined, yet-to-be-committed crime.

I'd be interested to hear what anyone working in or with children's charities has to say on this subject - from the little I've read and heard a lot of young people appear frustrated and angered at their continuing denigration in the media - and indeed what any young people themselves might think about this issue.

Perhaps what's most 'broken' in Britain is actually our politics.

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No, I don't think it's a broken Britain at all.  Of course, any society has it's problems but I still think there are many great things about the UK. I get really bored with all the negative talk about the state of the world today - it's really demotivating, contributes to stress and makes people feel and act like victims.  I'm all for shouting about our successes more and building on positivity to make it better!

Very topical question for us charity workers - I remember pre-1997 well and the whole broken Britain thing does seem out of step with the extensive work done by Britain's highly active and diverse third sector. The soundbite accentuates the negative and ignores the positive - well no real surprise it comes from the political marketing machines!