Remedy needed as nation gripped by 'selfish' culture

The new attitude may be a reaction against the optimism of the '60s when "love and peace" was the message and we all felt safe about hitch-hikers, or it could be the result of the Thatcher era being followed by the Blair epoch.

Under her it became acceptable, even admirable, to grab money for oneself, and under him our individual civic responsibility has been thrown into such doubt that we are deemed to need constant monitoring by cameras.

The privilege of the welfare state has come to be regarded as a "British human right" and since central government has taken over liability for our wellbeing, it must also accept the blame for everything that goes wrong.

We now have a culture in which every moment of time is money, and community responsibility is no longer an accepted duty, but something that businesses are expected to have a policy about.

An outcome of this new social climate is '“ we don't volunteer.

So those of us who have been involved in any sort of public service have had to watch our membership age and dwindle.

"You take away my responsibility, Big Brother, and I will reduce my personal commitment to meet your low expectations."

Political parties have been hardest hit. A few politicians' dishonourable and untrustworthy behaviour, as revealed by the paparazzi, has devalued the perception of democracy.

Wouldn't you rather give money to cancer research than make a donation to a party?

What ethical cause do they espouse to inspire you to deliver leaflets?

As party activist numbers gradually diminish, the effects begin to manifest themselves in a shortage of candidates and an absence of campaign material being delivered to your door.

The country gets the governance it deserves. Of course it's relatively easy to analyse a situation, but much more difficult to remedy it.

Your suggestions please!

John Richards

former opposition (Liberal Democrat) leader

Arun District Council

The Street

East Preston