I believe as peter in his response has asserted,that the welfare state is responsible for increasing crime rates.People must earn there keep !!!. All the assertions of needing identity are a joke.People must earn there way.There is no prouder feeling.

joe, chicago, us

It's all about having heroes. Within the Black community and within the schools they should be surrounded by great black heroes: Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Bob Marley, Mohamed Ali, John Coltrane. They should have inspiring teachers teaching the lives and lessons of these great figures.

Ryan, London,

Labour and it's two dimensional ideology thinks it knows what is right for society; Considering that, it's obvious from the start it is going to fail - the socialist mindset and ideology is fundamentally juvenile in nature, whilst the country needs a more adult, robust leadership.

Andrew Iddon, London, UK

And, Adrian, you are doubly defenceless, because you are not allowed to help yourself, and the police won't help you either.

Martin, Newmarket, Suffolk

'It was Mr Brown who devised new Labour's slogan “tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime”.'

The key word in that sentence is "slogan". He was looking for a sentiment that would help New Labour to get and keep power - not intending to do anything about the problem.

Tom Welsh, Basingstoke,

At last Cameron has said something sensible.

Britain today is a nation of litter, graffiti, broken glass, foul language, disgusting soap operas, knives, vomit and adults behaving as juveniles.

We ALL need to take repsonsibility for our actions and not leave it to the media and politicians

Michael, Torquay,

The Tories might understand society is broken because they are the ones who broke it in the first place. The workless, feckless underclass has not just emerged in the last ten years. It was there before. Remember it was Margaret Thatcher who said: "There is no such thing as society."

Robert C, London , UK

There isn't a break down in society at the moment just a shift in media fear mongering, were all bored of terrorists so now its "hoodies" with knives. 4 out of 5 19 to 24 year olds don't know anyone who has been threatened by a knife out of their hundreds of friends and acquaintances, what a relief.

Jamie, London, England

So you saw a man trying to break into your own house! What did you do? Wait until he entered and then hit him over the head with a hammer - reaching for your old age pension book and increasing your limp? Or what did you do?

Brian Lewis, Manila, p

I see the only option to restore society is to start with the young by re-introducing some form of national service, possibly without the military elment, but with the same degree of discipline and run by the Army to make young people face up to their problems through becoming self-reliant.

Mike Mitchell, Spalding, England

Wilfred, USA. When we speak of a "broken society" in the UK, I don't think that we're comparing it unfavourably with the US. This is an area in which we need to move further away from American society and not closer to it.

H B, London,

Owen of London. The welfare state has got a lot to do with it. When you compensate people who won't take control of their own lives you get people that have no respect for other's lives or property. And now we have a third generation dependent on welfare. How is that a mark of a civilized soceity?

Chris , Derby,

Britain does not feel like a society to me. Materialism, selfishness and celebrity-worshipping predominate, and courtesy to and regard for other people have faded. Almost any behaviour is acceptable as long as you can get away with it. Poor parenting and policing reinforce this culture.

Ben Garside, Loughborough, UK

Unfort. we are so dumbed down and selfish as a nation, few care about basic concepts like living in a society where all people are treated fairly . Celebrities and the rich routinely avoid prosecution for drink driving, air rage, military coups & corruption. When we do get tough it's on Joe Public!

Gary, London, England

Gang crime needs to be addressed aggressively - The police need to mount a large operation to break up the gangs - Curfews need to be put in place for adolescents - Zero tolerance should be order of the day - Until we fight back there will be no reprieve for law abiding citizens who live in fear -

WTaylor, London, UK

I cannot express my revulsion at this Government's impact on this Country. The growth of the self perpetuating 'underclass' has in some parts destroyed decent people's lives. The Common good has gone. Any government that stands on a hard back to basics policy would get my vote.

Mike Smith, Ashington, UK

you reap what you sow and it now socity that is paying for what the do gooding pc brigade sowed,

brian rice, halifax, england

Peter Dawson, Thailand - That's because you were living under a military dictatorship for about a year and the previous prime minister had criminals shot and tortured.

It's got nothing to do with the welfare state, which IMO is the hallmark of a civilised society.

Owen, London, UK

Libertarian paternalism is difficult to get across because it's an oxymoron. Libertarianism is about government getting the hell out of the way of law abiding citizens and allowing them to take responsibility for their own lives. Any paternalism with government as it's root is it's antithesis.

Richard, Middlesbrough, UK

“In most parts of our country there isn't a problem with gun or knife crime.”

There's a reason for that but we're not allowed to mention it, are we? It's the elephant in the room...

ben foster, wokingham,

Here in Thailand I feel safe to go anywhere any time. No random street crime, no taking and driving, no vandalism. Local people are clearly happy even though they are poor my Western standards.
There is also no welfare state. Everybody must take care of themselves. Could there be a connection?

Peter Dawson, Chiang Mai, Thailand

The issue is Identity. Multiculturalism is not an identity. It is a
justification of mass immigration. A strong identity such as
"I am English or I am an American," sets a social definition for
good behavior. When people have no Identity, they join gangs, do drugs and kill.

John, Placentia, Republic of California

The problem is that politicians can't or won't see what's coming our way. To some of us, it's been apparent. The intransigence of these arrogant people is alarming. Of course, attention to changing the culture is critical but the further down the slope we go the harsher the eventual response.

david, Bromley,

When Brits regain their right of self-defense to tackle thugs, -----without the fear of the police charging them with assault, then communities will police themselves better.
Here in the US I keep a loaded .38 revolver under my bed.The sign on my window reads- beware of the owner, not the dog !

wilfred knight, orange county , usa

Glasgow East will not be won by the Tories or the SNP. It will be retained by Labour. Society in parts of Glasgow has been broken for a very long time.

The only time politicians take an active interest in areas such as the Gallogate is when it is politically expedient for them to do so.

P Flannery, Glasgow,

"What is extraordinary is that Labour has surrendered the fight against the “broken society” to the Conservatives."

Why is this 'extraordinary' ? It is precisely the neo-Marxist agenda pursued by the left (Labour Party) for the last fifty years which has brought us the "broken society".

Stephen Tolkinghorne, Hexham, Northumberland

How can I feel safe in the country where the government forbids me to carry any gun for self-defence ? Thugs are carrying knives and guns anyway, it is included in their "profession". And as decent citizen I don't wont to break the law. So I am defenceless.

Adrian, Glasgow,