Welfare dependency and the working classes

Last night's BBC news at 10 was revealing.  In it, new Labour leader Ed Miliband met a group of modestly paid Tesco workers in the Midlands who expressed their unhappiness at those on welfare who show no inclination for getting paid employment.

The chattering classes are likely to dismiss this talk as Daily Mail populism. These same classes also treat the Coalition's welfare reforms as mean minded and exploitative of the poor and vulnerable. 

But bigger themes are at work here. These Tesco workers, far from highly paid, most likely reliable, honest and struggling like many others in the current economic climate, were concerned more about the State's ability to ensure fair play in their communities. Ordinary working class people are most offended by the welfare dependency of others.  Let's hope Labour and the liberal establishment are listening.