Quality of life

THE coalition, and in particular David Cameron, has tried to pioneer a new kind of politics. Having announced measures to tackle specific problems, such as Britain's spending crisis, and broader issues like fixing our "broken" society, it is no surprise the Prime Minister wants to unite these under the banner of general wellbeing. While he might be asking the right question – how do we improve people's quality of life? – he has not yet found the right answer.

It is more important to solve Britain's major economic and social problems before tackling collective happiness. There are tens of thousands of public sector workers, in Yorkshire alone, worried about the future of their jobs, while families have worries about anything from crime in their neighbourhood to the quality of local schools. These concerns are in themselves immensely serious.

Mr Cameron is right to think about general wellbeing. He has clearly learnt that driving economic reforms, as in the 1980s, can leave people in one part of the country poor and unhappy even as prosperity spreads elsewhere. He would be wrong, however, if he spent too much time, and more public money, considering Britons' happiness when it can never be definitely measured.

The people of this country have survived countless hardships, from the Depression of the 1930s to a battering by the Luftwaffe in the 1940s. What these times tell us about the national character is that when Britons are under strain, their fortitude is second-to-none. They will withstand the undoubtedly tough times ahead.

Mr Cameron should concentrate on exercising his power where it will make a difference and rely on his countrymen and women to pursue their own happiness, as they always have done.