Did Thatcher create the Chav underclass?

**benn0** · 31 May 2006, 09:19

I'm merely pointing out that the chav underclass prevalent in society today grew up under the parentage of citizens under her rule.

You are all quite happy to claim that without her Britain would now be a third world country.

In that case she must also take some of the blame for the less desirable aspects of the country in which we now live.

**AlfredJPruffock** · 31 May 2006, 09:26

Most of the social problems in Britain are a result of incorrect drug self administration, namely alcohol.

The way forward is for the Government to ban alcohol and in its place make freely available copious amounts of LSD and Peyote thus ensuring a state of blissful peace and love and it would be safe to walk the streets.

You've heard of Ali-Baba
Forty thieves, had he
Out for what we all want
Lots of L.S.D.

He also had a camel
Stole it from a zoo
How he loved the camel
And the camel loved him, too
(Oh, how the camel loved Ali-Baba)

Ali-Baba's camel
Loved Ali-Baba so
No matter where he went to
The camel had to go

Some say that he's in Heaven
But this, I know is true
Wherever you think Ali's gone
His camel's gone there, too

**wendigo100** · 31 May 2006, 09:36

We have always had a chav underclass, it isn't a Labour or Tory thing.

It's only the name "chav" that is new. When I was young they were "yobs", "skinheads", or simply "common".

There was antisocial behaviour and violence in those days too, with gangs of yobs up to their mischief, and skinheads looking out for a bit of "aggro".

**threaded** · 31 May 2006, 09:51

Well I remember the word 'chav' being used, actually as a self description, in a Doncaster corner-minimarket when Thatcher was on the throne. I remember it quite clearly as I decided to seek out which type of hoodlum they were as they were scruffy, had dogs that followed them about and didn't fit with my sterotypes of being metal heads or goths or punks or skins or whatever.

**Mordac** · 31 May 2006, 10:13

Personally I blame the welfare state. It has helped to create a class that is totally dependent on benefits, everything on a plate with no social responsibility whatsoever. Thatcherism tried to counter this by encouraging people to their council homes, but the benefit culture was already enshrined in the lives of what became the chav. Lazy, uneducated, undisciplined, and basically untouchable. So there you have it Benno, it was actually your lot wot done it.

**DimPrawn** · 31 May 2006, 10:19

I think the Chav, the Wayne & Waynetta / Vicky Pollard types is post 80's Thatcher. Definately a 90's phenomena. Mostly driven by handout welfare state, falling discipline and education stds, all symptoms of Blairite policies.

Sorry Benn0, Chav is a Labour invention, created within the last NINE years.

Cool Brittania and all that.

**AtW** · 31 May 2006, 10:21

I think in Gles-ga they are called "neds".

**The Lone Gunman** · 31 May 2006, 10:29

I think the Thatch can be blamed for the "me me me" attitude displayed by modern society. It was an unforseen spin off of her policy designed to make people more self reliant.
I dont think she can be blamed for the "**** You" part of the Chav mentality though.
It has been the growth of the welfare state that has generated this. The rights with no responsibilities regime that now prevails.

**DimPrawn** · 31 May 2006, 10:35

The chav mentality is:

It's not my fault.
The state owes me.
You can't touch me.
I know my rights.
I ain't working, where's my benefits cheque?
Why should I care?
Why can't I have a nice car/house/holiday?
The government should do more.
It's not "fair"

All Labour mentatility & policy -

Welfare,
Human Rights,
Blame the Middle Classes
Politics of Envy

HTH

Did Thatcher create the Chav underclass?