Having recently been off the island again for some gigs in the UK, I am sure, like me, lots of people enjoy a short break but are always happy to return home once more. I thought this week I would look back at some of the things that have changed in my lifetime regarding respect, manners, tolerance, and so on, and whether things are better now. The conclusion I think, as in all things, is that some things are better.
For example, young people are being encouraged to be much more inclusive. However, in other respects, from my perspective, some aspects of common courtesy are not as apparent as they once were. Trust was always very important in my relationship with constituents over seven House of Keys elections, and sadly, globally now, with an abundance of fake news and abuse of position, a reset is needed around the world.
When I was a boy at school, I remember clearly others being picked on, either because of how they looked or, for example, wearing National Health glasses, which were addressed in a derogatory fashion by some of their school friends. I also remember, as a scout, that one of the others had a physical disability that led to him being picked on. He had difficulty defending himself from bullies, and in one incident, I recall taking his side against those who sought to hurt him, and the incident was stopped with immediate effect.
Corporal punishment was still available in schools, and as I have stated before, it didn’t stop my often visits to the headteacher's .