Discussion between Baroness Warsi and Diane Abbot MP, moderated by Gavin Esler

Newsnight this evening included a discussion between Baroness Warsi and Diane Abbot MP, moderated by Gavin Esler.

Diane Abbot objected to the way in which parts of society are being "stigmatised", which is a fair point; but then undermined her credibility by trying to tell us that major riots tend to happen when there is a Conservative government.

Baroness Warsi said that the current riots were symptomatic of a long period of decline in the structures of society - I found this argument more convincing.

MJH Denison in Emotion As The Basis Of Civilisation said:  "...character is formed by enforcing a system of taboos which causes men to feel a sense of horror for acts harmful to the community".

What is undeniable is that the 1997-2010 Labour government presided over (and perhaps encouraged) changes in the taboo-systems of British society - Aldous Huxley said:  "...to change a society's taboo-system, even in part, is to change the character of its members, and along with their character the kind of emotions they feel and the kind of thoughts they think."

PS I entirely support the Prime Minister, David Cameron, in his handling of the crisis - he is exactly the sort of person we need in a situation like this and he is taking the right decisions.

PPS Diane Abbot (and to a lesser extent Baroness Warsi) should not laugh and smile when discussing such a serious issue on live television - presumably they were nervous, but it looked terrible.