Inner values

It is a 'must have' attitude and, of course, the infrastructure that feeds that belief are the excessive rated loan companies, the seedier underbelly of society who will supply to an increasing demand. Despair lies in the shadows and insecurity grows.

The recent General Election produced a result that sadly fuels that fear and appears to give little consolation to those who were looking for encouragement and hope.

Of course, all of the political parties must search for their inner values. Often the words on display are what they think we want to hear but somehow they can be hollow and less than genuine.

As I look around at what people have and, more importantly, the things they want and should have, all I see is the widening gap, the increasing inequality and the injustice of it.

No one is saying that we stifle or discourage aspiration and enterprise, we need it more than ever, but we need compassion, which lies at the heart of British culture. Equally, people need to have a work ethic, but to do that they need to be valued for what they do.

Of course, there are those who don't see work as an option and such an attitude is perceived in the 'welfare benefit dependent' culture.

We need to incorporate inclusion, not as a means of blaming and scapegoating, but  to ensure that we are genuinely all in this together.

Getting people into work is one thing, but providing that security in work is still a challenge. What I fear with current attitudes is that there are those who seem to enjoy bragging about it and those who sink in despair unmotivated and dependant.

If such attitudes continue it will only galvanise division and inflame hatred.

We need to think outwardly because as well as citizens of the United Kingdom we are also members of the human race and global citizens. A caring society is one where humanity can rise above the self centred ego centric and it is the responsibility of all of us to truly care and this must be fostered by government.

Bernie Walsh, Coxhoe.