Cameron Calls for Understanding

What a strange politcal world we live in. The leader of the conservative party calls for a softer approach on that scourge of our communities, the hoody. Truly there has been an amazing flip-flop of the ground the main parties traditionally hold.

I know this one has received extensive comment in the press - some of it really quite funny - but I really couldn't let this pass without saying something.

It's a shame that Mr Camerons comments are really no more than an attempt to win voters appalled by the programme of demonisation of young people imppmented by the current government.

It's sadly apparent that Mr Camerons views on 'threatening' young people are grounded in no greater an understanding of the perspectives of young people than Mr Blairs. Calls to "understand what's gone wrong in these children's lives" fail to accept that for the majority of young people the behaviours he regards as problematic are in fact absolutely normal.

"We - the people in suits - often see hoodies as aggressive, the uniform of a rebel army of young gangsters. But hoodies are more defensive than offensive. They're a way to stay invisible in the street. In a dangerous environment the best thing to do is keep your head down, blend in."

His call to show more love to aberrant young people is still rooted in a view that the correct response to issues of intergenerational conflict is some form of treatment of young people, not some form of mediation or dialogue between the generations.

The fact remains however that young people have no political power - and by that I mean that they are not organised to represent their interests, not just that they are largely voteless or non-voters - and as long as that is the case any sensible electioneer is going to play to the people who can provide them with political power. It would take a brave politician to suggest that adults look at their behaviour in relation to young people.