Shut up, Cameron

David Cameron obviously has some spare time on his hands, giving him the opportunity to lecture the nation on moral issues. Ostensibly it's a piece about fathers, which then allows him to slip in some guff about supporting families through the tax system (N.B. if Nick says it's okay).

Thus (as his Justice Minister is busy removing the stigma attached to raping women) we learn:

"It’s high time runaway dads were stigmatised, and the full force of shame was heaped upon them. They should be looked at like drink drivers, people who are beyond the pale. They need the message rammed home to them, from every part of our culture, that what they’re doing is wrong – that leaving single mothers, who do a heroic job against all odds, to fend for themselves simply isn’t acceptable."

Quite how this campaign of opprobrium is to be organised, I'm not sure. Of course, there are such men who, for no good reason, abandon their families, as there are no doubt heroic single mothers, but life's a little more of a rich tapestry than this monochrome image.

The breakdown in the institution of marriage has indeed a very negative effect on society. However all Cameron is doing is attacking the one politically-correct target available. He dare not say anything against the other tango partner, nor will he risk the wrath of the welfare state lobby, by stating some home-truths about how that has aided and abetted society's slide into the abyss.