David has no idea of what it is to be poor. Not all the poor people have Tory influence to put their children in jobs which and get paid doing nothing. How many poor will get their 2nd morgage intrestes paid by tax payer ? It can only happen to Tory leader. And fat genes are not easy to control.

Rebecca Wilde, London, UK

It appears that the wealthy are always wealthy because of their hard work and native wit, not because of dodgy business deals, cronyism, unethical practices, insider trading, tax evasion or sheer luck. Hence they can always tell the rest of us why we're alone to blame for our circumstances.

richard, horley,

"Not everyone can be thin, able bodied , gifted,creative or rich . Think about it!

Adrian, London , UK"

I've thought about it, and I think that it's quite within the grasp of everyone to be thin. All you need is a good famine or if you want a less radical approach: eat less food.

rosa, swindon,

"Since when did sanctimony and blame ever change anything for the better? Never.

Susie, Bristol, UK"

You say sanctimony and blame, I say finding out where things went wrong (and who is responsible) so we can put it right and stop it happening again.

rosa, swindon,

First of all! Not all overweight people are at fault. Some ae born with a condition. Its not people's fault that they are poor, its the economy that they live in which is run by whom? The government! Less wealthier people cannot afford the high priced healthy dinners and even gyms! Just an excuse!

j, Leicester, uk

Does that apply to fat members of his own party? Nicholas Soames, for example, or Anne Widdecombe (who recently appeared on 'Celebrity Fit Club'?) What action should be taken against them?

Louise, Cambridge, UK

I was watching a day time TV program with an obese woman featured, who was portrayed as having made the "courageous choice" of having a gastric band fitted so she couldn't eat so much.

No, the courageous choice would of been choosing to eat less and exercise, and then sticking to it.

Russ, London,

Processed food costs more if you go to Waitrose maybe, or any of those fancy grocery stores in London.Go to Farm Foods or such and it's much cheaper than fresh.I'm working poor, and I eat healthy,but I don't drink or smoke saving lotsa ££.What xtra money I have goes to doing things with my daughter.

Bev, Conwy, Wales

Marianne,
in the UK processed food is more expensive than fresh and the benefits the poor live on allow them to buy far more than basic carbohydrates. what century are you living in?

Alex, london, england

"Way to go Dave!! If the Brits don't like you Dave, come to my country, we need an intelligent, high-character politician like you!! Don, Phoenix, Arizona, USA"

Don, you're welcome to him - it will save us from another Thatcher era

Jim, Colchester,

It must be nice to be able to afford steak every night for dinner. Most low income diets consist of rice, potatoes and bread, with very little meat.

Before criticizing other addictions, maybe one should go through multiple lifetime traumas with no support or help.

Marianne , Apex, USA

I remember well the scathing public and media response when, in 1986, junior Health Minister Edwina Currie suggested that the relatively poor health of Northerners was due to their poor diet (specific mention was famously made of chip butties). Seems that she was just ahead of her time.

M Saunders, Canberra, Australia

Way to go Dave!! If the Brits don't like you Dave, come to my country, we need an intelligent, high-character politician like you!!

Don, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

It is easy not to eat, or drink alcohol, for someone who has no appetite to do so; but far more difficult for someone in the grip of cravings. Food and drink are commonly used as temporary self-medication against chronic low-grade depression. The pleasure of food is often a brief escape from pain.

Gary, London, UK

I agree with his comments. He is not trying to say that every poor person is to blame for being poor or that every fat person is to blame for being fat but you cant escape the fact that SOME ARE!!!

It is not fair that those who are to blame hide under the immunity of those who arent!!

Nick, Nottingham,

Sam Pepys is right: the Poor Law of 1601 was passed to limit the bands of vagabonds in the countryside. But we have gone a bit further I think...

Several people point out that Cameron et. al are not perfect. But all he is saying is don't blame other people if it caused by our choices.

David, Petersfield, UK

JDS Cardiff: that one anti-fraud project may have not worked. But in the 1990s I analysed the impact of the policy of sending one letter to long-term unemployed suggesting an friendly interview. Around 15-20% more than the normal rate reported that they "had found a job in the last month". Discuss.

David, Petersfield, UK

Dave should attack the "pay your way, do what you like" culture. Attack the self-righteous "I have paid my way in life" types and their anti-social ways. For the middle-class are now an "entitlement culture" in themselves. Modern morals are, it seems, just for "other people we don't like very much".

Neil Welton, London, United Kingdom

This guy is a hypocrite. 1. He is overweight himself. 2. He is the benefiicary of a priviledged upbringing. How offensive are his comments to all of those struggling to make ends meet.

R. Saunders, London, United Kingdom

Agree with most but the poor comment.

I was quite well off until a certain somone put me out of a job in the mine and reduced many like me to warehouse work

Mitch, Nottingahmshire,

He's quite right, no one has the right to play GOD even Gordon Brown. I for one didn't vote for any polititian to act as a moral guardian for anybody.

Chris Houghton, Wigan,

Because people who smoke pay such huge amounts in taxes the NHS can afford to give free treatment to parents who have disabled children. Not everyone can be thin, able bodied , gifted,creative or rich . Think about it!

Adrian, London , UK

I accept there are people who have had severe misfortune or bad luck (and my heart goes out to them), but there's millions of others on low incomes/benefits spending their money on lottery tickets, cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, fast food, sky TV, or a big exhaust for their Astra. You reap what you sow

Steve, Torquay,

he's a bit fat..

gareth, brighton,

Hurrah,Mr Cameron-I know who I'll be voting for next time.And may I just point out,my 25 year old son and his friends,who wouldn't have been considered Tory voters in a million years,not so long ago,have been saying the same thing for some time now. And will also be voting for David Cameron.

vj, london, uk

Good that David Cameron makes people aware that they have a choice, can and should make the best of their lives. There is no one else to help out anyway. But why does Cameron not include criticism of those who get money through corruption and greed and so help destroy society as well as of the poor?

john, Salzburg, Austria

Let's have a 'weigh in' then, of the Conservative Party membership set against all the others:

1. Financial Success - richer the better
2. Body Mass Index - closest to 'ideal'
3. Addictions - fewer the better

How shall we score it though, and..

perhaps we have a Referendum on it?

Mark, London,

Good message, bad spokesperson. I'd feel a lot better about working my four minimum wage jobs in order to pay my taxes if they weren't going to be spent on those too lazy to bother (genuinely disabled people aside) and Mr. Cameron's holiday home.

AED, Aberdeen, UK

For once a politician I can listen too and actually agree with. You have my vote David.

Cassandra, London,

The politicians (including, in private, the Tories) and civil servants all know that the social security system stops the poor becoming radicalized. I'm afraid that if you abandon the poor and ignorant, your leafy suburbs and safe separate private schools will ultimately be at risk from an angry mob

Sam Pepys, London, UK

unfortunately i agree with him on this issue.
I say unfortunately as i hate the tories but it does bother me that my taxes are used tolook after the health of obese people and alcoholics..

oh no I am sounding a bit conservative.

sylvia, london,

We have been living in a society where it is easier to blame someone else for too long..... Im fat, it's your fault, Im poor, it's your fault.

Its about time people got of their backsides and did something for themselves for a change instead of expecting everything to be done for them.

tim macgregor, Dromore,

It reminds me of the German saying: the Jews are our misfortune!

Steve, London, UK


Thats madness Steve. The choice here is not 'the individual has no responsibility for his/her actions', or 'the Nazis'.

Your so used to Labours moral vacuum you've forgetten what responsibility looks like.

Steve, norwich, norfolk

Let's be realistic. How much is all the surgery for gastric bands costing the NHS? The chap might have a point

It's quite simple, when I eat too much and don't go to the gym I put on weight.

So please, no more bleeding hearts for the obese. The answer usually lies in their own mouths.

Maggie Knight, Portslade,

Bon Mot a day, that's Cameron's way.
Bet he can't remember what he said last week, or the week before, or the week before, or the week before, or the week before.

Ivan de Nemethy, London, UK

Dale,

Obesity isnt viral.

People who say they have an "overactive gland" always seem to have a massive packet of crisps in their hands with a mega-gulp 2 litre of cola.

Julian Peterson, London / Singapore, UK / Singapore

All very well and good, but if we want people to go back to work etc, rather than live off benefits, then he needs to ensure the policies are there to actually help people to do that.

saying "single mothers should work" is not enough if they can't afford it!

weight: 8st
Hours worked: 40+

Kate, Sydney, Australia

20% of people smoke, 20% are clinically obese, plenty drink to excess and about 15% take drugs on a regular basis, poverty is a deadly trap passed from generation to generation (ask Thatcher).

There should be about 3 people left to vote for the Tories...

Bill Bird, Wallasey, UK

I'll be interested to see if he uses the same logic against other MP's who are caught 'playing the system' and such.

Arthur, Newcastle,

Viral? Get a grip. This yet another feeble attempt at shirking responsibility. For a considerable majority we're talking about life choices, not some disease that can be used as an easy out.

mark, sydney, australia

Good news about the stand on knives, but does this mean that Camerons party cant have fatties, those who like a drink, or drug users in it.....so as long as they can afford it probably ok.......oh dear just what we need a load of self rightous leaders...cant wait.

Jane, Norwich, Norfolk

Dale,

Scientific findings will come and and go but the basic truth is pretty simple if you want to lose weight;

Move more, eat less.

It really is that easy.

Jason, London, UK

Totally agree with the sentiment. People need to take responsibility for their own actions.

But why the change of sentiment from Cameron? Can't help feeling that he will say anything in his sincere voice just to get elected.

Paul, London,

i hate walking through run down council estate neighborhoods where the residents all have sky dishes and where the youths and yobs etc heckle and yell at you as you by minding your own business,i want to scream at them that they would be homeless if i didn't pay my taxes!

Alex, London, England

Liz wrote - " No one has the right to make blanket statements on obesity being poor or anythingelse. "

I don't think anyone has made any such statements,. Certainly not Cameron.

Wilberforce, London,

As much as it pains me to write it, Mr Cameron is making a good point. That's not to say that there aren't always exceptions but a vast majority of people are overweight because they simple do not want to stop indulging themselves. A lot of people suffer poverty because they want to do the minimum.

Kelly , London, England

Just one simple FACT amongst all the opinion.

Benefits Integrity Project - investigation into disability benefits fraud.

How many were prosecuted by the State? Single figures.

Cost to the Taxpayer - Over TWO million pounds.

It seems that the fraud that Cameron's cronies knew existed was fantasy.

J D S, Cardiff, UK

What about the fat and rich?

Robert, Hull, East Yorkshire

"the prospect of returning to a more judgmental society" - don't they refer to that time as the good old days? It's time people take responsibility and we stop giving handouts to the lazy, handouts make people lazy. I would like to see the bringing back of public humiliation for crimes, as well.

Graeme, Edinburgh,

11 years of improvements and above inflation settlements to the NHS have no stopped fat kids. It is you own responsiblity not the governments.

I am fat, I do not need a fat wasteful nanny state tell me that I am overweight.

steve tea, manchester, cheshire

Good for you David Cameron. I hope you tackle the amount of unconstructive whinging people do too!!

Chantel , Wales,

Cameron isn't wrong, he just didn't go far enough. He should also criticize those who lead fat lives with fat cars and fat houses, fat holidays and fat schools. Self-control and moral repsonsibility applies to the haves as well as to the have nots.

Roger Steare, Sevenoaks, UK

The term, I believe, is more correctly, "moral liberalism", which seems to be a cancer leftover from the Thatcher years: she said that there was "...no such thing as society...". The results? "it's okay as long as it's not against the Law...", you can't smack your children and bystander apathy.

Abdul Majeed, Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK

Cameron's only gone and said something Boris Johnson-worthy. This is good for Dave, Bozza and the Tories. Regulations, cameras and weedy MPs we have enough of - common sense must must prevail if we are to be free of the plague of our times: an invisible pressure to be neutral at all times.

James Leeming, Pulborough, United Kingdom

It's ridiculous to berate Cameron for his background, just because he is priveleged doesn't mean he cannot have an opinion. Too often we talk of people being "sucked " into gangs "drawn " into prostitution or having adictive personalites, which is just plain wrong!

Uche George, London, England

he has a point,but luck also plays a factor in life, i mean, did he really go to eton due to hard work at primary school ?

jason palmer, london,

Of course you don't mean everyone Dave, not everyone is "bad".

Just the poor fat people, the poor drug addicts, the poor sick, the poor unemployed and the poor alcoholics.

Dave, Edinburgh, UK

Jo in Devon: boredom does not equate to sitting in front of the TV smoking and eating convenience food, that is a CHOICE: one could equally choose to go for a run instead, to cook with fresh ingredients, (cheaper than convenience foods) and choose not to smoke; all of these are personal choices.

Michael, Durham, UK

Ed, Melbourne and Tom Clark have it right. Cameron isn't saying fat or poor = evil, he is saying that personal responsibility should be taken for personal state and that Govt shouldnt have to bail out those who won't help themselves. There would then be more to go to those who are willing to try.

Ewan, Harrow, UK

Bravo Mr. Cameron! For the first time in a long time I actually see a glimpse of hope at the end of the tunnel. Mollycoddled Britain is sadly now the laughing stock of Europe: we need to be shook hard by the collar to wake us from the Blair-induced stupour we have been herded into. It's about time.

Steve, Belfast, Antrim

Wealthy Cameron, believes the poor and afflicted have only themselves to blame. The so-called choices of those deserving pity are severely limited but he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth knowing little of such hardships.

He would starve and make homeless the families of the unemployed they live on a pittance and don’t pay taxes to waste on wars

John, Nottinghamshire, UK

David Cameron is right to say we need less people relying on the state - but surely that must include MPs claiming £21,000 to pay their mortgage!

John, London, UK

Dale.Wellington......
If it doesn't go in it doesn't go on.

Kenneth O'Boyle, Perth, UK

Headline: "David Cameron tells THE fat and the poor"

First Sentence: "David Cameron declared yesterday that SOME people..."

Both these statements can't be correct as they are at contradiction?

Philip, Haywards Heath, England

at last, Cameron suddenly seems atleast slightly intelligent pigeoning the average middle class voter sick of footing the bill for people who blame society for the problems they created in their own lives, next stop: an end to extreme political correctness!!!!

george, londonderry, Northern Ireland

Most of the comments above show a total lack of humaneness towards their fellow human. Sadly, most also show ignorance of the complex life events that can happen to anyone & leave them excluded and disadvantaged. Since when did sanctimony and blame ever change anything for the better? Never.

Susie, Bristol, UK

I'll add the question - When did punishment ever teach anything other than fear of more punishment.?

Punishment, abuse and hammering the self esteem of individuals does not educate or effect positive change.

Susie, Bristol, UK

Good to see common sense returning, after all the Labour madness.

Michael Clarke, High Wycombe, England

Rubbish, Steve. Germans blaming Jews for the results of their own choices was an evasion of responsibility. What is it Cameron is criticising? A culture of evading responsibility. So don't leap to your blind rhetoric before engaging your brain.

Richard, Middlesbrough,

"Ending an era in which politicians have fought shy of judging personal behaviour" -- er, which era was that exactly? There have been numerous crusades against smokers, drinkers, people who buy 'unnecessary things', fat people, chavs, cheap flights, parents who argue with teachers, ...

William McIlhagga, Ilkley,

I have no problem with fatties who say "it's my choice" so long as they pay for their own healthcare costs when they start to keel over from chronic heart failure in middle life. When they expect me to contribute to the costs of fixing their lifestyle choices is when I object. Same for smokers.

Paul Harper, Folkestone, UK

A cautious nod in the direction of the correct goal from David Cameron. The unmentioned dilemma is drugs.

When a prescriptive policy was proposed it was overruled by the recreational drug-using wing of the party, now in charge, for whom personal responsibility is a major problem zone of truth.

Martin Cole, Angouleme,

It's fantastic to hear Mr Cameron speaking the honest truth and if it offends then he is probably hitting the spot, the country needs more of this: the public knows the truth on many issues and do not need to be spoon fed polictically correct soundbytes to court popularity.

Mark, Framlingham, Suffolk

I agree whole hartedly I am sick of poltical correctness.

MR W jones, Liverpool, England

So we complain about a nanny state taking away our ability to make choices and then complain when a politician, stands up not only for our right to make those choices but also for the need to take responsilbility for those choices. It's about time is all i can say!

Anna, Cheltenham,

About time politicans spoke the truth instead of treading around being PC. Individuals need to take responsibility. The wider community bears the brunt and cost of their poor choices. Waiting lists in hospital, police overworked, increased taxes, who is to blame?

Ian, orpington, UK

Your health and size DOES become the business of the general public when it is our healthcare systems which have to provide aid in the event of heart attacks etcetera. It's not a personal attack on people who fall into certain categories, but a reminder to think about the impact of your choices.

Christopher Crichton-Rankin, Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire, UK

I wonder if the culture of responsibility will be extended to the heavily indebted and those struggling with heavy mortgages. Both of those things are equally personal choices but I suspect that the choosers are just that bit too middle class and likely to vote for Cameron to lecture.

E Frankland, London,

Keep telling it like it is, Mr. Cameron - then come to the U.S. and spread the word over here!

Phil Hatley, Houston, USA

An equally blunt way to put it: society equals making money, to the detriment of every other aspect of life. Hospitals and schools are run to a budget, and woe betide anyone who slips up financially: bailiffs move in and lives are ruined. The only group completely free of financial limits are MPs.

iain, bedford, uk

Whilst I am inclined to agree with Mr Cameron, I think he needs to look at unemployment. In my area, the "metal bashing" jobs have gone abroad and have been replaced by poorly paid call centre jobs. This just says it all about 11 years of New Labour. The unemployed need hope and proper jobs.

Paul, West Midlands,

So: Cameron has shown his true Tory colours. Beat up the poor and the disenfranchised as they can't answer back. Being poor isn't a lifestyle choice. I challenge you to a 1 on 1 debate regarding past present and future Tory policy on UK poverty. Same old spiel that I heard in the 80s and early 90s!

Noel McLaughlin, Chester,

I'm delighted - FINALLY David Cameron has said something worthy of a true conservative. This feeble society of dependance and blame sickens me.

And I speak as the product of teenage parents, a single parent home and an entirely self funded higher education lest anyone questions my credential

Rhea, Derby, Derbyshire

Of course some people are slim, not addicted to drugs and poor, and it isn't all their own fault.

Neil, Gloucestershire, England

Cameron has some miracle up his sleave to create non exsistant jobs; in a society where there are only finite jobs available, this whole "personal responsibility to get off welfare etc" is based on rhetoric not FACT. Lets hope to see basic critical thought instead of the rhetoric evident so far.

Becca James, Staffordshire, UK

Well , I suppose we were all on rations thanks to the high interest rates and shortages in Tory times in the early seventies, eighties and nineties- so it looks like we are all having to prepare for a very lean time ahead when DC gets in(unless it is Good Fun Boris of course)

Maggie S, Wareham, Dorset UK

Excellent! Well done Mr Cameron!

Next step is to stop the NHS from giving electric buggies to those people who are too blasted lazy to walk. Being fat is NOT a medical condition, so should not be considered as such just because of political correctness and poor sense of responsibilities!

David, Cheshire,

I totally agree with Cameron. Many people these days have little to no self control and expect the government to bail them out when they overspend, overeat or overindulge themselves.

Dave, Durham,

Corrupt and dishonest business folk, MP's who cheat on their expenses, who will sell their patronage for a couple of bob.
These have seen their chances and grabbed them with both hands.
Hurrah! now you are to be represented.

Ken.Wyatt, Todmorden, UK

Fantastic - maybe Britain is finally turning the corner and coming out to condemn the feckless in society. Some people are trapped by their situation but the majority are simply sitting back waiting for the state to step in. Good on you Davie!

Ken, Dundee,

What you make of your life is down to you and your choices. Those who cry of their poor circumstances - you insult people coming from poor circumstances who did make a better life for themselves. I live a very good life (& many people off my hard work), but did not come from a privileged background.

S.C. Huldig, Leiden, Netherlands

People have been conditioned to depend on the government and to act without thought for the consequences ONLY because they are allowed to get away with it. Finally a politician with the courage to say it as it is. Is this the beginning of the end of political correctness? Please say it is so!

Elizabeth Young., London, United Kingdom.

Danny in London.............................Luxury............. we were born in a paper bag by the side of the road.

Ken.Wyatt, Todmorden, UK

No one has the right to make blanket statements on obesity being poor or anythingelse.
Many wishing to work,some well qualified,seeking work and yet 'poor' They cannot 'tick the right boxes' to get benefits or they would not be 'poor' ...
They have no children, no foreign passport....

liz, Darlington , Durham

As a child we were poor. I chose to not stay poor, I chose education, a good job, a good home, a good life for my children.
It is far harder now for people in that position to do the same.
The opportunities have been eroded.
I'm believe in taking responsibilty, but opportunity must be available.

Carl, Northwich,

Finally a politician brave enough to speak sense. I absolutely agree it is time or people to start taking responsibilty. Has it not dawned on all the whingers the knife crime is directly proportional to drugs, drink and lack of parental responsibilty these days. David Cameron you have my vote!

Jenny, London,

I wrote this thausand time or more, perhaps i should write once again, in the interest of justice? The fats are climatised
to their system, too much to eat, then medication to digest over
eating, what a waste? And Why?

Cllr Ken Tiwari (Independent), Oxford, United Kingdom

Finally, someone has the guts to call it. We are all too PC. Truth: obese people are fat b/c they eat too much; kids are violent & unfocused b/c parents take no responsibility; teachers have been stripped of authority. People need to understand cause & effect. You do it, you wear it.

Sarah, Ottawa, ON, Canada

at last someone willing to say it as it is. For far too long people have offered excuses for the various problems we all face but some succumb to, drugs, food, tobacco, pregnancy etc.. Personal responsiblity rather than the costly intervention of the state [with our money] is the future.

Keith, Pembroke Dock, U.K.

Sensible policies at last. Having said that I do believe they were largely the cause. Thatchers grandchildren are coming back to haunt us. It was her policies of social division and exclusion and destroying communities in the name of greed that have led to most of our social problems now.

Tony, Bristol, England

The real David Cameron opens his mouth! Poverty a disease? Some people take less income to help others. Nurses, teaches, firemen, etc.. a whole load of people do difficult jobs and take less salary because they have a higher and nobler purpose than money making!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Suzanne, Taunton,

Cameron wasn't having a go at "the deserving poor" - those who work on low wages or actively seek work they can do.

These people are the chief victims of the unholy alliance of the undeserving poor and undeserving rich who are the soul of the current labour party.

edward green, upminster,

Broken the law? Off to prison & learn more criminal techniques!

Overweight? That's your problem!

Out of work? Not my problem!

I agree that the benefits society has gone too far but DC seems to be swinging right back to the grim days of the 1980s... Prison & ignorance are not the answer.

Ruby, Belfast,

Its about time to remember personal responsibility; but why take a 1-sided view? 'Rich' choices are: driving the housing market to implosion, speculating on foodstuffs/raw materials, riding high in fuel guzzlers, evading taxes by the billions, lobbying for public money. The fish stinks from its head

Sibylle, Essen, Germany

All of the negative comments that have been made about this article seem focus on situations where circumstances conspire to disadvantage people through no fault of their own. Surely this misses Cameron's point completely?

Adam, Brighton, UK

I think all people who look like Smurfs and have no idea how to keep their mouths closed should also take responsibility for their words and actions. You will hand it to Labour Smurf man.

Lloyd, London,

It's about time people took pride in themselves and became responsible for there own actions and choices. People shouldn't want to rely on handouts to get by.

I agree 100% with Cameron on this and I don't even like the guy. Well done keep up with the common sense.

Tom, London, England

I endorse steve's viewpoint ,blaming David Cameron criticizest minority to win majority's supportment. immoral

joshuali, Beijing, China

Thank god. I am so tired of listening to people blame everyone else. Time to stop handouts and limit the payment of unemployment benifit (refuse to call it 'Jobseekers' because lets face it most aren't!). Let people make there own choices but let them pay for the consiquences.

Dean, Southampton, England

Legend! Finally a politician who is brave enough to suggest that people are not the vicims of circumstance but victims of their own bad choices in life.
On the subject of obesity; <1% is due to 'hormones/viruses' and 99% is due to greed and laziness. I hate pretending to patients that's not.

Chris F, London,

Another example of David Cameron speaking sense. People who cannot control their eating, smoking, drug abuse etc are a burden on the NHS and their choices of lifestye impact on those who choose to look after themselves. Well done for saying so DC!

Simon, Nottingham,

DEAR ME, how can anyone take these comments seriously!!!

Does he expect normal, rational people to believe the ills of our society are the fault of the poor and fat.

If he believes that these comments show leadership then he and his advisors must be crackers.

Cwtchman, Rhondda, South Wales

Same response I gave Portillo when he said this last year: your time would be better employed challenging food companies. That is the industry that enthusiastically accepted trans fats - an abomination that sees vegetable oils solid at room temperature. It does not police itself. Pick your fight!

Ed, Cardiff,

Nu-Labour rely upon their exploitation of personal indugence as a route to power. One has only to examine cursorily the Licensing, dangerous drug and gambling laws before moving on to the myriad scale of welfare benefits available to the workshy to get an idea of Labour's persistent strategy.

Robert, Kirk Ella, Haltemprice, East Yorks.,

Well done Cameron for abandoning the political/media class orthodoxy.

I have a useless thyroid but all that does is tip the balance one way. "Eat less, exercise more" still holds true; it's just a bit harder. Being fat is ALWAYS self-inflicted and it is also NOT the state's business!

Michael, London,

Well done Cameron. If a pole can travel thousands of miles to pick fruit in tayside, wash dishes in yorkshire, clean holiday flats in northumberland then it shouldnt be beyond the wit of man for the unemployed of nearby cities to be told 'here's a job, take it or the benefits stop. Full stop.'

Al, Liverpool,

To Steve, London re your comment "This is classic scapegoating: blaming minorities for political failure. It reminds me of the German saying: the Jews are our misfortune!" ???! Get real. How utterly Absurd to make that kind of association based on Cameron equating obesity with lack of exercise etc

Mia, London, UK

Blimey, politician in common sense shocker! If he's not careful he'll go getting himself elected. Lets just hope he follows it all through. Whingers, please read it properly - he's not denying that sometimes there are outside influences for the problems. Always someone elses fault though, isn't it!

Bob, London, UK

The government is to blame for the lack of accountability and responsibility we now suffer in our society. I just hope the next government recognises this and acts. Hopefully this is the beginning.

Paul, Andover,

Steve, London UK -
"This is classic scapegoating: blaming minorities for political failure."

The emphasis is surely less so on blame than on taking more responsibility for ourselves. THIS is classic scapegoating: blaming the government for our own failiures.

Dawn, Frankfurt , Germany

To the people saying they can't find a job etc... GO AND EDUCATE YOURSELVES!!!! My parents were struggling to bring me up, yet I still managed to educate myself, now have a decent job and travel the world.

EVERYONE HAS A CHOICE. Unfortunately, most people chose to be ignorant or blame everyone else

Nikki, London,

Another 2 years of this mafia and we won't have any fat people anyway, no one will be able to afford food.

peter reddington, leeds, UK

The fact that there are 49 comments on this story by 9.00am, most of them positive, says it all. Thank you Mr Cameron for publicly saying what most people think.
If anybody's really upset by your comments they would probably never vote for you anyway.

Paul Savage, Lambourn, UK

Awesome!
Awesome that a politician has grown a spine in the UK and told people to stop waiting for things to come to them and instead to go out and do something about it. To do something about it by first of all improving themselves.
For the 1st time in over 10 yrs the UK sounds like it has b*lls!

Benjamin, Tokyo, Japan

If we are all talking candidly perhaps the familiy law issue also covered in The Times, should be addresssed openly and honestly. This scourge of society if it was reformed would cure much of the ill's and issues affecting the young today.Mr. Cameron has the courage to stand up to failing law lords

Dave Farmer, Broxbourne, England

People’s responsibilites
High housing/living costs = both parents work : convenience foods & no-one home
Schools sold playing fields = sports culture lost: nothing to do, watch tv, smoke, eat, drink, youth crime
No industry = wealth created from housing
Vicious circle: Govts responsible too!

Jo, Devon, England

Some people have the wherewithall to escape the tough circumstances of poverty, just as some people escape a smoking habit without health problems. But those people are exceptional - hence they cannot be the rule for everyone else. Poverty has a toxic effect on crime, lifestyle, health, motivation.

Timbo, London,

Take a look in a full length mirror, Dave.

Jenny Crosshaw, London, England

Thank goodness the Tory party is returning back to its core values. I was fed up of hearing about Cameron's green agenda, now at least we can turn to the straight and narrow. Next stop drug abusers, teachers, and trendy councillors.

Martin Haslitt, London, England

People seem to be missing the point. David Cameron isn't 'judging' anybody.

Where does the above article report DC as passing sentence: 'these people are evil'??? It doesn't.

He's stating a fact: SOME people need to take responsibility for themselves, instead of expecting the government to do it.

Tom Clark, Cambridge, UK

I agree 100%. I hope that Britain leaves political correctness to the side in the next few years, so that it can be a great place once again--not just for drug addicts and minorities but also for the average quiet people who are unfortunate enough to be earning a salary and not be breaking the law

John, London,

I grew up on a rough council estate and could have chosen to be feckless sponger, instead I worked hard, ate as well as I could, looked after myself and took personal responsibility, but alas so few of those I grew up with did the same: that was their CHOICE. Bravo Mr Cameron.

Michael, Durham, UK

About time. Politicians have indulged the fat, feckless and workshy for too long. Obviously there are genuine cases where help and support is warranted however we all know of cases where 3 or more generations of the same family make careers out of sponging off the state. Get tough.

John, Lincoln,

To some extent I can agree with Cameron on what he says. I once lived in a neighbourhood where 90% of people were living on welfare. I looked at my surroundings and said to myself that I was gonna get out of this environment and make good myself. I did with enough perserverance and motivation.

Catherine, Enfield, UK

This 'straight-talking' from David Camaron will be getting my vote but I hope appropriate policy is put into action.

Obesity and drug addiction is an epidemic but the people DC is talking about aren't suffering from the epidemic, they are causing it and I'm glad this is being recognised.

Kam, Naples,

Like most people I don't agree with handouts for the sake of handouts, but sometimes people can become victims of their own circumstances. Importantly, a politician's job is not to judge but to listen to ALL constituent views and experiences, as well as the experts, to find sensible solutions.

Paul, London,

I am sorry but one cannot be blamed for everything that happens to him/her. Sometimes it is a work of God/Fate/Nature/Law or whatever you might want to call it.

Igor, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Why have a go at the "well off" saying that they have had it easy? Believe it or not to become well off someone must have worked hard at some point and not sponged off the state. I think this is what Mr Cameron is trying to suggest, not that everyone who is fat/poor/addicted is evil.

Paddy, Leicester,

I agree with Cameron wholeheartedly. Everyone is the master of their own destiny and obesity/poverty IS your fault. I was born into a poor family and I am disabled. I am now well off through hard work and getting off my backside and making something of my life. Stop blaming others for your own woes.

Danny, London, UK

David Cameron - you have my vote for PM !

At last we have someone who has the ability to run this country !

James, London,

It's time a lot of people took responsibility for their own actions and lack of actions rather than relying on the tax payer to support them. God helps those who help themselves as my old Mum used to say. How right she was. I am fed up with the 'something for nothing' brigade.

David, Poole,

I totally agree with what Cameron said. It is time for people to face up to their responsibilities. If you sit and watch TV all day stuffing crisps you will be fat and have bad health and if you are poor you can always get a job as a cleaner or dish washer in a cafe or do something. Be responsible

Sandra Sedgwick, South West, France

We all make life-style choices; some people choose to smoke; some choose to eat junk food; some choose to try class A drugs & become addicted; some choose to pick up a knife & kill someone. Cameron is speaking common-sense. Govt isn't to blame for everything; people need to take more responsibility

Donna Walker, Effingham, England

I'm fat, I know it's my fault but i don't need David Cameron to tell me. He should learn to mind his own business.

Mark, Newcastle, England

I not know why everyone is getting so upset about this fat thing. I'm nearly clinically obese and I eat too much. Thyroid this and virus that are just excuses. It's your choice! - no offence meant to anyone but:
There were no fat people in Belsen!

Jim, London, UK

The Cameroon concept of choice reminds me of Samuel Smiles' simplistic concept of self help. We are returning to blaming the disabled for being so, etc. This is classic scapegoating: blaming minorities for political failure. It reminds me of the German saying: the Jews are our misfortune!

Steve, London, UK

Once again half the people commenting here clearly haven't read any further than the headline. Cameron didn't say "If you are poor it's your fault" - how stupid do you think he is?! He said some people who are poor have themselves to blame - and he's right. Thank God, the world is waking up

ed, Melbourne, Australia

And what of the new scientific findings that some obesity is viral in origin?

And that quite a lot of obesity derives from pituitary or thyroid gland malfunction?

Not choice at all.

Cameron had better increase doctor training to make sure he only stigmatises the "wrong kind" of fat people

Dale, Wellington,

If Cameron keeps on saying sensible things like this, he is in danger of achieving credibility. Who'd have thought it?! Instead of whining about knife crime, ask why the 16 year olds are in pubs at 2am. Personal and parental responsibility - splendid old-fashioned ideas.

Paul Harper, Folkestone, UK

From Mr. Cameron's comments, am I to understand that the rich people in Britain are immune to obesity, alcoholism and drug addiction...

Please send the vaccine across the pond.

Rob Miller, Halifax, Nova Scotia , Canada

Margaret curran and labour are breaking their own rules to allow her to stand in that they have a rule that no msp or mp should stand in both parliaments. All i can say is typical hypocritical labour. Do as we say not as we do.

karin, glasgow,

If society, in its philanthropic wisdom, bestows some of its largess upon the less fortunate, should it not have a right to expect something in return, even if simple community service? People are not "entitled" to the benefits of someone else's labour. It is a gift, & and always revocable.

Bob Evans, Anaheim, California

Thank God! Finally - someone is speaking some sense!!!

Drew, Beijing, China

Taxes raised for NHS by tobacco sales more than covers costs 4 smokers illness Fat people only make themselves ill with diabetes & heart disease Do they read articles like today's 100 people a WEEK in Britain have a limb amputated as a result of diabetes and act or make excuses not to Time to act!!!

LT, Warminster, UK

Individual responsibility for one's behaviour sounds nice in theory...

I have my doubts that it's going to work, however...

Rob Miller, Halifax, Nova Scotia , Canada

Labour must have loved that piece. Tory’s will win if Cameron keeps his mouth shut until in power, let him open it as he has and he will lose the Tory’s the election. If the overweight and poor vote Labour the Tory’s lose. Thats how bad the weight problem is in this country! Cameron shut it.

Lloyd, London,

DAVID CAMERON,

my weight is under 200lbs, and I work every day, by investing my time wisely between various choices, the choice of "serving tough love" to politicians that are "involved in evil crusader orders" while judging others as either fat or lazy, without giving them earning opportunities

JOHN ADAMS WEAVER, OGDEN, USA

"Judge not lest you be judged, Mr Cameron and perhaps starting with the immoral greed so evident in public life would be a good place to start. " Lance, Gatehouse-of Fleet

84% of the mp who voted to keep the expenses system were LABOUR.

peter, Newcastle, UK

I know plenty of "poor" people, i come from a poor family but they always worked, I now work as hard as I can to create security. One thing I always noticed living in a poor area and having neighbours who sponged off the state.... they always managed to have a cigarette hanging out of there mouths!

S D, London, UK

A breath of fresh air. At last.

Raymond, Somerset,

its very easy to judge when you have had a life of privilage expensive public school i bet turkey twizlers was not on his menus but the biggest moral coruption is the mp's hands in the trough and still not transparent how can u trust any of them get there house right

kevin, clitheroe,

Like David Davis did... we are concerned for the choices you haven't been able to make... We are able make them for you. You obviously haven't been able to make them properly.. watch us spend money on figuring this out...

Green wash, blue wash, white wash... the conservative dulux manifesto range.

Mike, Belfast, Antrim

this is simply brilliant! no more welfare as an acceptable lifestyle. and you want to be fat? fine, but i am sure as hell not paying your medical bills!

Alex, London, England

"Some people who are fat have only themselves to blame" and "When will people realise the states job is NOT nanny".
All right, but Cameron, Heather, Dave and Will should take the time to read 2 excellent essays: "Fatland" and "Fast food nation", to see where some political responsibilities lie.

RONNIE, PARIS, FRANCE

Here, here Mr. Cameron. It's about time you toughened up!

People need to accept that it is not the state's job to play nanny; nor is it the states job to steal from the rich and give to the poor. This leftie culture has destroyed Britain; a shift to Clarkson-esque policies is very promising.

Tom, Liverpool, UK

All those complaining about his comments on this board should post their weight, and hours a week worked!

Well done David Cameron! (And you had better get an interpreter for Nu-Labour; they have no idea whet straight talking is)!

Rod Garr, Miami, USA

As long as Cameron doesn't feel he's in a position to talk down to people because of his own privileged background
this seems sensible and even brave. In a country without organised religion or a strong moral order we must re-assess our situation and try to fortify the bonds that hold us together

Josh, London, UK

Obesity, social exclusion and alchohol/drug abuse are all symptoms of the same disease.

This disease is a lack of hope for young people, induced by the destruction of Industry and entire communities across the country, inflicted upon us by the conservative party.

Alan, Auckland, New Zealand

if you take drugs, drink, stab someone, have a child at 16, or are obese you have no one to blame but yourself. we need to regain personal responsibility b/c hopefully the next government isn't going to babysit us like labour has...look what good that did! we have no one to blame but ourselves!

Alex, London, England

This stance by Cameron is said to be “a conscious shift of strategy”. Labour has softened up Britain so much that this common sense approach seems quite revolutionary. The lazy, the abusive, the anti-social should be named and shamed, not pandered to. They should be forced to take a look at themselves, not given handouts and ready made excuses. About time!

mark, Sydney, Australia

thank goodness for common sense
of course extreme cases shoud be treated as exceptions - people who are in unusually difficult circumstances should receive the support they need.
but 90% of people do not need special treatment and should be made to get a grip on their own lives.
well done

Daniel Leeto, Melbourne / Bradford ,

Is the addiction to power included in the list of social evils that are now to be exposed. How does the abuse of power rate?

Judging others without knowledge or concern is a symptom of our intolerant and vindictive society at present; if we do not care for everyone, we are all lost.

Iain Watts, Lewes, UK

Well done Cameron! After 10 years of watching our core values being whittled away, it really is about time somebody started speaking out for the silent majority in this country.

George, Birmingham, UK

I grew up in a poor, single-parent family, I was suicidal and drug-dependent at one stage, I pulled my finger out and made a contribution to the world. Whatever your circumstances, personal responsibility is crucial; too often, society fails to stress this, harming those it would help.

Faustino, Brisbane, Australia

Judge not lest you be judged, Mr Cameron and perhaps starting with the immoral greed so evident in public life would be a good place to start.

Instead of hounding the easy targets of the self-confessed feckless in our Society why does he not turn his haughty attention to his free-loading cronies?

Lance, Gatehouse-of Fleet, Kirkcudbrightshire

I'm overweight, it's a choice based on lack of will power, not everyone is in their bad situation (poverty, drink, overweight, too many cats, whatever) voluntarily but many of us are... but don't you dare hurt my feelings, I might cry, then all my problems would be YOUR fault!!!

Jim, Sacramento, California, USA

Cameron thinks unemployment is a crime against the state, hence his plan to sentence them to community service.

Thanks to a good start in life and the old boy network, he will never know the realities of unemployment, yet he has the audacity to make sweeping judgments about those less fortunate.

Darren, Wolverhampton,

My husband is dyslexic and nearly died from meningitis yet works full time. . Having been been made redundant I have applied for numerous jobs but have only succeeded in getting 10 hours per week. We took responsibilty and worked but we did not choose to be poor. Government policy made us poor.

Kath, Margate, England

The real face of the New Conservative Party.

What hope and help for the poor and infirmed if the Tories return to power.

What next?

Bob, Sunderland,

Excellent - it's about time someone pointed out that people are responsible for their own actions. Mr Cameron has my vote.

Michelle, West Sussex, England

so, cameron goes all the way to Glasgow to tell poor people that they need to harden up. Would he be making that statement if the tory candidate had any chance at all in this bi-election?

His answer to the poverty and degradation we should all be ashamed of - to ban "moral neutrality" - whizzo

Tom, Edinburgh, Lothian

I'm incredibly insulted.I certainly don't work an easy job, I work very hard, but I make little so that the few can be very rich.For many,circumstances dictate and there's nothing you can do,but do your best, but I guess that's not good enough.Even more insulting coming from someone born into wealth

Erin, Conwy,

Is that you Gordon?

E J Murray, Kerry, Ireland

JDS of Cardiff, please remember Eleanor Roosevelt's wise words - "no one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

Having seen firsthand how the Scottish "poverty industry" is hellbent on reinforcing the culture of victimhood among the workshy, I welcome this breath of fresh air.

Heather, Glasgow,

whose fault is it if your addicted to heroin? whose fault is it if your fat? did the state inject you with drugs? is mcdonalds the only place you can eat? if your poor its your choice, even if your doing charity work, its still your choice.

when will people realise the states job is NOT nanny!

will, grimsby, uk

Basically, Cameron is going to slowly adopt Jeremy Clarksons Common-sense " Manifesto" .

Well about bloody time.

Dave, Glasgow,

The solution to obesity is obvious. Both the UK and the USA are swamped with dangerous 'assault spoons' that clearly are a threat to the health of both countries. Clearly more regulation is in order.

Jamie S., Charleston, WV, USA

I chose to be a carer, for my elderly father and disabled wife.

I am disabled myself, I did not chose this.

I am poor because of my choices.

The money I save this country pays for MPs second homes.

You made the choice to blame me Cameron, have the decency to feel some shame for your own choice.

J D S, Cardiff, UK

At last! some political sense being spoken. About time that those responsible for their situation were made to stand up and face the music. Then those who have no control over their problems might get the help they deserve...

ian woolger, budleigh salterton, devon uk

Excellent. Hopefully we will we see more of a coherent alternative policy developed by the Tories, with a clearer statement of what they believe the country needs. Good to see also, no desperation to court popularity.

John, Edinburgh,