'Welfare needs to become an engine of mobility, changing people's lives for the better, rather than a giant cheque written by the State to compensate the poor for their predicament.'
Nick Clegg
You've got to hand it to Clegg he's got balls. On the eve of his conference he picks a massive fight with the left of his party by saying he basically disagrees with everything they stand for.
After the defection of a Lib Dem councillor to the Conservatives here in Stratford, one wonders if Mr Clegg is lining himself up for something similar? If he carries on at this rate he'll be ousted as leader at the first opportunity, if that happens, maybe he'll be looking for a new home....
How is he picking a fight with the left of his party? I am a left wing Lib Dem and agree with every word in your quote.
ReplyDeleteIt's a very clever statement which effectively reads:- Welfare should be about helping people to help them improve themselves, rather than a disincentive which is what it became under Labour.
It should appeal to all Lib Dems as it minimises state interference in people's lives (Classic Liberal) and encourages fairness (Social Liberal)
It's what we all stand for in our party.
I too am to the left of Lib Dem party and also agree with what Nick Clegg Says.
ReplyDeleteWelfare should not be about encouraging people to sit around watching daytime TV and eventually becoming a meal ticket for life. It should help people to advance and improve their lot.
Having experienced a period of unemployment myself I was shocked to find I was unable to get assistance to take up the offer of a job 90 miles from where I lived. Yet, the jobcentre paid for my train ticket to get to the interview. I applied for a crisis loan and got a letter back saying they did not give loands for that purpose. All they could provide was a one month bus pass for the city I lived in (where there were no jobs). I did manage to take up the job by borrowing several small amounts of money from relatives and friends but getting back into work was achieved through my own tenacity and a willingness to live out of my car for a few weeks coupled with a very sympathetic landlady who reduced her deposit requirement for a room. For two months I mainly ate pasta and rice. Meanwhile those who cannot be bothered visit the jobcentre week in week out and continue to be a drain on society
The whole process of dealing with the jobcentre was degrading and frustrating. To the point where I was told off for getting a job that I could not afford to get to. We need to encourage mobility amongst the workforce not discourage it and Jobcentre staff should not be telling people off for getting a job, no matter where it is.
The present system is having the effect of keeping people exactly where they are which leads to feelings of worthlessness and depression.
I truly hope radical change ocurrs soon.
We have big issues with workforce mobility in this country. Also with businesses understanding that people will move or commute for work. Have heard from a number of people lately that many London firms are only willing to look at applicants from London, even if they are willing to relocate or commute, at their own expense.
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