How have we got to this point?
How have we endorsed the cruel, the mean spirited and the toffs to such a level where they can leave childhood nutrition to rich celebrities.
On Purpose
Of course, they would be loving that. What better way to shift responsibility from the state to the individual for basic humanitarian issues than to let charity pick up the slack?
Just to be clear, what Marcus Rashford is doing is amazing. Manchester United should be incredibly proud of their young star. We all should be.
In an age where footballers are often vilified for daring to accept large contracts, Rashford’s commitment to ensure ‘no child in the UK has to worry about where their next meal is coming from’ should be praised.
Shouldn’t Be This Way
This should never be their concern. If he was feeding impoverished children in any country in the world there’s a good chance Great British Exceptionalism would look down their nose at the poor foreigners.
But to see this happening in a developed world isn’t good enough. There’s no reason why it should be left to a footballer to solve. Making sure children shouldn’t starve isn’t controversial.
Basic
It should be one of the main aims of any government. Kids can’t look after themselves, they need those in positions of power to ensure they grow up healthy and able to live a full and rich life.
And from a government’s point of view, it would help if they become contributors to society. Giving them a basic human right before school should be the bare minimum those in power are willing to do.
This is the government’s problem.
The fact that Conservatives have managed to convince us that it’s not is a disgusting indication of where their priorities stand.