Conservative MP James Daly said the New Conservatives were not a “weird right-wing sect”. Photo: David Woolfall
The Conservative MP said the majority of children in his constituency who are struggling are “the product of shitty parents”.
James Daly stressed the importance of the “stability” provided by the family unit, when he argued for the “working class”. conservatism.”
The MP for Bury North in Greater Manchester was accused by his Labor rival of “insulting” local parents and told him to take a “closer look” at the Tories' record on the economy.
But he was wrong. He was defended by fellow Conservatives who said children living in homes had a significant impact on their prospects.
Mr Daly made controversial remarks outlining the aims of the New Conservatives, a group made up predominantly of Red Wall Conservative MPs, in an interview with the i newspaper.
The group, led by Miriam Cates and Danny Kruger, mainly deals with social issues, calling for a traditional Conservative approach in areas such as family values.
Mr Daly said: “I think the New Conservatives in many ways represent working class conservatism. We are not a weird right-wing cult. People just want to give people the best chance to succeed and prosper in life.
“When you think about family, it's about stability. Most of the children who struggle in Bury are the children of bad parents, so what should we do to try to solve this problem?
“On the left it would be simply: “We'll spend money on it and hope that something will work out” – someone like me thinks about it more fundamentally.”
James Frith, Labour's potential parliamentary candidate for Bury North, said the remarks showed “how little” his rival thinks about his constituents.
“Instead of insulting Bury's parenting skills , he should look closer to home,” he said. “Over the last 13 years the Conservatives have failed to grow our economy, protect our public services or provide opportunities for young people in Bury and across the UK.”
The New Conservatives have rallied behind their colleague with Mr Kruger insisting he is “right to highlight the importance of good parenting for children's life chances.”
“I know how much he cares about supporting families in Bury. especially those struggling with low wages,” he said. Telegraph.
“It is typical for Labor to ignore the role of parents and instead focus on taxpayers' money as the solution to social problems. Raising children is the most important job in the world and we need politicians who understand that.”
“We need more personal responsibility”
Fellow member Brendan Clarke-Smith, a former children's minister, also called for more about “personal responsibility” and “good family values.”
He said people who claim there is no such thing as “bad or neglectful” parenting “need to have their heads turned,” adding: “Having loving and responsible parents are the greatest wealth any child can have.”
“The state will never replace this. Many parents face a variety of challenges, not just financial ones, and I applaud them for all they do to give their children the best start in life. It's not just about money, but also about the values we teach our children.
“There are plenty of wealthy parents who don't do this, while many on lower incomes do, so I completely disagree with those who use relative definitions of poverty as a constant justification. We need more personal responsibility and good family values, not more government intervention and nationalization of the parenting role.”
Sir Robert Goodwill, another former children's minister, said he would “not repeat the words which Mr Daly” but argues that there are “large discrepancies in parenting skills.”
“Unfortunately, many children are aware of their shortcomings before they even start school,” he added .
Sir Robert said there was “opportunity for improving parenting skills”, adding: “We shouldn't criticize people because they have very limited means, but some people who don't have money actually in fact, they have a lot of time, and they have time to do simple things with their children, take them to the library and things like that.”
He said that “people on the street” can understand “exactly” what Mr. Daly means, but “it won't help to stigmatize parents – we have to help them.”
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