Has Britain gone mad with political correctness?

Last updated at 08:13 26 August 2004


Tory leader Michael Howard today attacked the culture of "political correctness" that he says is undermining British values.

Ordinary people were being "driven crazy" by the Government's PC meddling, the Conservative leader told an audience in Stafford.

The phenomenon "offends" rather than strengthened the country's tolerance, he said.

His address was pre-empted in part by the Government's call for a return to competitive games in schools.

However, Mr Howard maintained: "In Britain today, political correctness has gone mad. And it is driving people crazy.

"There are so many examples of political correctness, it's hard to know where to start.

"In 2000, a Government-backed booklet warned nursery teachers that playing 'musical chairs' encouraged aggressive behaviour.

"In 2002, the Government advised schools to replace traditional sports days with group 'problem-solving' exercises.

"Of course everyone should be treated fairly and equally before the law. But a culture which fails to distinguish between right and wrong, in the name of equal 'rights' for all, is a distorted culture.

"Political correctness is a culture that offends our nation's sense of tolerance, our sense of honesty, our sense of balance.

"Whenever there is a conflict between political correctness and common sense, let me tell you where I stand. I stand firmly on the side of common sense.

"Common sense, decency, humanity are qualities which the British people have in abundance.

"These are the qualities we need to cherish."

Labour Party chairman Ian McCartney said: "This is a desperate speech from an increasingly desperate leader but not even John Prescott could rescue this drowning man.

"Michael Howard has now fully signed up to the William Hague model of leadership - desperate opportunism, lurches to the right and tawdry appeals to the core vote."

Most watched News videos