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Back to the bad olde days
• THE fact that some leading Conservatives in their desperate attempts to recreate their image are now calling for a return to Victorian standards is hardly surprising. But despite their talk about 19th-century family values, the fundamental facts condemn the hypocritical nonsense that has ensued.
Brief reference to the numerous 19th-century reports on a range of social issues such as the rate of illegitimate births, child prostitution, the plight of abandoned children and the incidence of venereal disease, hardly supports the idea that the much vaunted family values succeeded in establishing a desirable society.
Of course, the Victorian period had many problems associated in creating an industrial country, and many benefits came from the vast increase in wealth and production. But many appalling hardships arose for wide sections of the population.
So for the Tories to advocate a return to measures that had mythical value is hardly promising for Britain in the 21st century.
PETER RICHARDS
Highgate Road, NW5
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