Questions from Wisbech Grammar students (4): rights and responsibilities

It was actually a member of staff who asked about the balance between rights and responsibilities when I visited Wisbech Grammar School earlier this week - and in particular, about people who appear to 'know their rights' but don't wish to be held to any responsibilities.

I've been thinking about this question quite a bit since Monday, and I came across this speech by Chris Huhne MP which makes the useful distinction between human rights and citizens' rights.

The approach of the Labour government has typically been to use the anti-social or dangerous behaviour of the irresponsible few to interfere with the lives of the law-abiding many. This was most recently seen in the fiasco of the proposals for compulsory dog insurance, and even a sort of 'dog driving test', which were rapidly withdrawn after they got the pasting they deserved ('My dog has never attacked anyone. In fact, he has been rewarded with 5 years No Claims Bonios' as wag Beau Bo d'Or wrote on Twitter).

One of the most prevalent feelings I encounter on the doorstep is a sense of weariness at the determination of the Labour government and its myriad quangos to nanny us through the most minute of our daily activities - even the thickness of our chips is not so trivial as to be beneath scrutiny.

Perhaps a government that trusted individuals to take more responsibility for their own lives might find itself rewarded in kind?