Anti social behaviour is one of the biggest problems affecting North Durham. It is brought up time and time again on the doorstep. Those people who voted Labour with such hope in 1997 are the people who are affected the most by the blight of anti social behaviour. Labour's failure on anti social behaviour is yet another example of its betrayal of the working class.
Labour have completely failed to address anti social behaviour in our area. North Durham has one of the very highest in the country. We have amongst the worst ASBO breach rates in England. Local people have complained to me that they cannot go about their day to day lives because of fear of anti social behaviour.
Apparently Gordon Brown will focus on anti social behaviour in his conference speech this afternoon. Who is he kidding? It is as though Labour hasn't been in power for twelve years. During those twelve years anti social behaviour in North Durham has escalated to a point where it is now out of control.
That is why I am campaigning for real action about anti social behaviour. That means giving the Police the power to do something about it and getting Policemen back on the street. It means ensuring that decent community youth facilities are available. Above all, it means taking real action to ensure that ordinary working people can go about their lives without the fear of anti social behaviour.
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1 year ago
Well said David. We'll only tackle anti-social behavoiur when we change the culture in County Durham from one where young people have little or no aspiration to a culture where they expect the best for themsleves.
ReplyDeleteSelf-worth, self-respect and aspiration are values our young people should take for granted.
To achieve that we need communities where youth provision, education, training, jobs and pride in our young people exist for everyone who wants it.
Labour has tried to do these things undoubtedly, but I think Conservatives with ability and ambition realise what's needed and could actually deliver it.
Good luck. It's time for change!