George Osborne reflected the views of the majority of hard-working people in this country when he said the benefits lifestyle of father of 17 Mick Philpott raised serious questions about the welfare state.
The Chancellor knew he would be ambushed by the BBC and vilified by the Left, yet he also knew taxpayers who fund benefit scroungers like Philpott have had enough.
For while it is true that Shameless Mick is a uniquely evil, exploitative individual, he is also the product of a far wider problem. As a result of his crimes, the debate people want about the welfare system is finally out in the open.
George Osborne has spoken out, saying that the benefits lifestyle of father of 17 Mick Philpott raised serious questions about the welfare state Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith has only recently received such public support of his reform of the benefits system from Mr Osborne More from Amanda Platell... Spare us these smug lectures on marriage, Penelope 24/05/13 My journey into the hell that is internet child porn: We asked AMANDA PLATELL to view the websites that twisted the mind of little Tia's killer 24/05/13 Brave, yes, but Angelina Jolie is misleading women... 17/05/13 Don't pity the predators - protect their victims 10/05/13 AMANDA PLATELL: Just how on earth did Stuart Hall fool his poor family? 03/05/13 Nancy's £2m richer but I still feel sorry for her 26/04/13 AMANDA PLATELL: Why I pray my dear friend Rolf is innocent 19/04/13 Crocodile tears of men who knifed Maggie 12/04/13 VIEW FULL ARCHIVEYet while I applaud the Chancellor for confronting this issue, how much more courageous it would have been if he had embraced Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith’s proposed reforms from the outset, rather than fighting them every inch of the way until focus groups showed the public’s support for welfare reform.
For the truth is, the Chancellor was behind an attempt by David Cameron to sack IDS in last September’s reshuffle, worried that his proposed reforms would make the Tories appear ‘nasty’ and would initially cost too much.
Now, surprise, surprise, Osborne and Cameron are falling over themselves to embrace the proposals. It is no coincidence the two men found their reforming zeal only after polls showed huge and increasing public demand for root-and-branch welfare changes.
Three-quarters of people want benefits reined in and almost nine out of ten back tougher entitlement tests. And to the infuriation of the Left, the call is particularly strong among the working-class communities whom Labour claims will be hit hardest by ‘Tory cuts’.
As Brendan O’Neill writes on preceding pages, they have witnessed first hand the corrosive influence that our bloated benefits culture has had on whole communities.
No one wants to see an end to benefits. We are rightly proud of a system that was intended as a safety net for those who, through circumstance, genuine unemployment or disability, were unable to care for themselves.
But how absurd that today it’s become a system that actively encourages fecklessness and widespread abuse; one that funded Shameless Mick’s life of indolence and depravity. The State can no longer afford this — and the working people of this country will no longer tolerate it.
This week was a turning point in the debate and Osborne was right to take the (belated) lead. Who knows, it may even put the Tories back in touch with the very people who will determine the outcome of the next General Election.
Emma Watson apparently doesn't like men who approach her mentioning her previous role as Hermione in Harry PotterTantrum throwing diva Justin Bieber abandoned his pet capuchin monkey Mally after it was seized by customs in Germany where he was due to perform. Animal expert Karl Joachim said the confused little creature did not belong on tour and desperately needed professional care. Yes, but what about the monkey?
Emma’s so ungratefulTips on dating from actress Emma Watson: ‘The very worst men are those who say: "Are you the girl from Harry Potter?” ’ Don’t you hate it when stars feign disdain for the roles that made them famous and earned them millions?
Being six months pregnant and the target of internet trolls can’t be easy for any woman, even if you are Kim Kardashian and rather used to the attention.
The self-made reality TV star famous for her skin-tight outfits and her sex life has blossomed during her pregnancy but has now been compared to a whale by some former devotees.
How cruel, but you can’t help thinking that if you make your fame and fortune out of exposing every aspect of your life, you can’t be surprised when your fickle fans turn on you.
Reality star Kim Kardashian has been the target of some rather unpleasant comments about her weight during her pregnancy Westminster Noticeboard ...+ The North Korean nuclear crisis escalates as a podgy, privileged member of the elite, born to rule yet without an electoral mandate, has his finger on the red button. Am I the only one fearful about what David Cameron will do next?
+ Tipped as a future Labour leader, shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna is revealed to have a love of ‘jetrosexual’ partying.
He takes to the internet seeking ‘cool places’ to hang out. ‘Most of the West End haunts seem to be full of trash and C-List wannabes,’ he writes. Takes one to know one.
MP Chuka Umunna looks up 'cool' places to visit when he goes out by searching online+ Having quit politics after his failed leadership bid to make his fortune in America, David Miliband has now resigned his directorship of Premier League side Sunderland after they hired a fascist manager.
Principle, or just another case of the petulant Miliband senior quitting the pitch in a hissy fit?
Soon to appear again on our screens in Britain’s Got Talent, the gushingly gormless but undeniably gorgeous Alesha Dixon says it’s tough for black women to make it on TV.
When she was first appointed as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing in 2009, the controller of the BBC came into her dressing room and said they were ‘proud to have a woman of colour on their panel’. What a shame they couldn’t have said a woman of talent.
Mick Jagger, last sung with Rolling Stones at Hyde Park 44 years ago A daft song and dance at the BeebThere were high hopes that the new director general of the BBC would bring some much-needed gravitas after the Jimmy Savile sex crisis and ongoing industrial action.
Instead, when the former boss of the Royal Opera arrived he sent a fatuous email to staff reassuring them their best days were still ahead. Tony Hall then performed a Gangnam-style dance for the cameras.
It will take more than a second-rate end-of-pier impression to save the BBC.
The Rolling Stones are to return to Hyde Park after 44 years. Back then, Mick could still sing and didn’t look like a electrified cadaver. When he sings about Brown Sugar these days, it’s more likely to be the colour of his hair dye.
Madonna has Banda on the runSay what you like about Madonna — I have and I will — she has to be commended for her determination to give something back to the country from which she adopted her two Malawian orphans, David and Mercy.
She took them to see the ten schools she has built for children and is about to donate a further £5 million.
Yet, instead of being thanked for her initiative, she was pilloried by the Malawian President, Joyce Banda, who seems to have taken umbrage that Madonna has failed to contact her. Thereby proving that there is at least one woman on earth with an even bigger ego than Her Madgesty.
Pippa Middleton has challenged the Mayor of London to a game of ping pong Royal watch+ Camilla has written a forward to a book of prayers by Catherine Parr, the sixth and final wife of Henry VIII. Apparently the Duchess identifies with the Tudor queen, a popular and unselfish divorcee who married into the monarchy at a time of great turbulence. Alas, I fear many still think Camilla’s more like Anne Boleyn — a marriage-wrecker who almost destroyed the monarchy.+ Watching Kate and William visiting Glasgow, you couldn’t help but be struck by how much he delights in her company and her popularity. It’s such a far cry from the ‘meet and greet’ visits his parents carried out at the start of their married life. Charles bitterly resented being eclipsed by Diana’s star quality and the cracks in their relationship soon began to show. Kate, on the other hand, has managed to combine elegance with ordinariness, and is careful never to overshadow her husband. Clever girl.+Ever the attention-seeker, Pippa Middleton has challenged Boris Johnson to a game of ping pong. Which is a little like asking Hugh Hefner if he’ll judge a swimwear competition.Sure enough, the thought of Pippa prancing around a table has proved irresistible for the amorous London Mayor and he has duly accepted. Cue the Benny Hill theme tune.
A judge refused to jail a repeat-offending paedophile who downloaded hardcore images of children, as he was worried Mark Martin would have a ‘hard time’ in prison. Not half as hard as the poor children forced to perform these hideous acts to satisfy the perverted needs of men like him.
Shops around Aintree sold 2,000 litres of fake tan and 38,700 pairs of stilettos in the run-up to the Grand National. The result? On Ladies’ Day there were more chestnut mares cheering the race than on the course.
