Doubts on Blair plan
I have doubts about Tony Blair's campaign to tackle future problem children before they are even born. His plans to increase state intervention in the homes of dysfunctional families have done little to restore my confidence in a government that has failed to tackle the root causes of anti-social behaviour.
I agree that we should give greater help and support to families. However, it is wrong to force families to accept state help before the birth of their children. Every family is unique in its structure, dynamics and problems.
The challenge is to avoid stigmatising families and to offer help on a voluntary basis. Compulsion has to be the last resort.
As national chairman of the Townswomen's Guilds I hope to encourage tens of thousands of women and their families to do just that. Without this vital help and support for parents, anti-social behaviour would become uncontrollable.
I believe more time must be spent fixing problems with anti-social behaviour orders before we extend this policy further. Only then will it be possible to stem this escalating problem.
Pamela Pollock, National Chairman, Townswomen's Guilds, Birmingham
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