Leading article: Compassionate Conservatism
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Independent Minds
It is common for political leaders to deliver speeches on topics on which they have no personal experience. But that will not be the case when David Cameron addresses an autism conference today on the subject of special needs. In February, the Conservative leader sadly lost his six-year old son, Ivan, who had suffered from cerebral palsy and severe epilepsy.
When it comes to special needs, Mr Cameron knows whereof he speaks. Armed with knowledge of the bureaucratic jungle faced by parents in similar situations, he is putting forward sensible proposals to improve the lives of children with disabilities, as well as their carers. The expected pledge that a future Conservative government will put an immediate stop to the programme of special school closures is welcome. Undoubtedly, some disabled children benefit from being educated in a mainstream school. But the Government's policy of pushing "inclusion" has made life harder for many disabled children and their carers. Special schools still have a vital place.
The pledge from the Conservative leader to increase the number of family health visitors and the availability of respite care will also be greeted with enthusiasm by the parents of many disabled children. These carers will also share Mr Cameron's frustration with the "statementing" process which defines the nature of a child's special needs. The present system is complex and onerous. It is also often unfair. Local councils, which administer care, have a financial incentive to keep down costs. Too often, they focus on costs rather than needs. The idea the Tory leader will outline of putting budgets for a disabled child's health, education and care in the hands of parents makes sense. This is the kind of shift that can help bring the voluntary sector into the provision of public services, one of Mr Cameron's longstanding strategic goals.
The big stumbling block is resources. These reforms cost money. But with a future Conservative government committed to cutting spending and terrified of making spending pledges, can this be really delivered? On special needs, Mr Cameron understands the problems and has sound ideas on how to improve matters. But the test is whether he can turn bold plans into reality.
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Comments
one particular example is David Camerons Sudden cares about family life and the problems with our disabilities benefits system.
Can i just say that i dont think anyone should have to deal with (referring to the death of his son in febuary) what he has had to no matter what their back ground or history comprises of and that im sincerly sorry to anyone that does, but i start to question.
Why does it take a real life situation like this that effects his emotions and feelings to get him (or any other politician) to notice theres a problem in the system and that it needs correcting.
Why does the sorting and organisation of the problem only get completed when the problem hits the politician in the face.
What i look for in a politician is someone dedicated to helping the system, someone who will fight for change even at the expense of their job or wage, someone who notices need even through a lack of personal experience. But i don't see many of these, which makes me question the value of my vote.
This makes me look at the system as a whole and question what sort of people we have power.
I come from a working class background and experience real life situations and problems involving lives and money everyday and im certain i'd know what needs sorting if given the chance.
Do these middle class, tunnel educated, sheltered people really understand the circumstances people find them in? or do they believe they can build a perfect structured system (whilst dodging taxes and claiming to much expenses) through over reading of social theory and consensus structure books.
i dont know about you but if putting politicians into the situation is going to sort out some problems then maybe we should start thinking about investing in sending some off to fight in afganistan or go for the cheaper option and just send them to sleep rough , homeless in london for a few days.
They wont be happy but im sure they will get a big enough realisation of the problems people face then.