ABSTRACT
Although this quotation has become something of a cliché, it is nonetheless (and perhaps because of this), a valid starting point for a consideration of the New Labour project in the area of youth justice for a number of reasons. Firstly, it is indicative of a wider trend towards ‘soundbite’ politics, whereby persistent, substantial and complex social problems can apparently be diagnosed and solved in a matter of seconds. But, in addition, the author of the quotation in 1993, Tony Blair, was writing as Shadow Home Secretary; as he moved on to become Prime Minister, he carried with him a substantial interest in, and influence over, policy in relation to young people and their behaviour. Further, it was the elision of personal responsibility and social inclusion implied by this one utterance which appeared to encapsulate a distinctive and coherent ‘New Labour’ position on youth crime. Historically, the party had been seen as electorally vulnerable in this area, and this formed the centrepiece of a politically driven campaign to challenge and overturn traditional Tory dominance in this area of policy. Events since that point, especially since New Labour came to power in 1997, must be seen in light of this attempt to establish hegemony over this high-profile and sensitive issue.
