Back in Blighty, Uncle Dave has suggested that under-25's be denied benefits and "earn or learn". Does he have a point or is the "nasty party" showing its true colours? Clearly, youth unemployment is a terrible outcome for all concerned, but it seems that it would be a very difficult policy to implement. What's the Canadian framework?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/poli...ron-says.html#

Of course it's the usual shite from the nasty party. Who doesn't believe that young people should be able to live comfortably without every having worked?

It’s just pandering to voters

Shutting down unemployment to the under 25's would make thatcher’s poll tax riots look like a stroll in the park

He's just trying to bolster support from the Daily Mail voters because he knows that come the next election the Lib Dems are going to jump in bed with Labour and he'll be out on his ear.

If there were some jobs for them, or free education then his comments might make sense. But there aren't, and it isn't, so they don't.

Some truth in that, but he must realise he's going to alienate a huge percentage of the youth vote (the under 25's and beyond).

Yeah, there go all those under-25, unemployed, Tory voters.

You'd think so. Maybe, maybe not.

It was Thatcher who did the same for under 18s and then forced under 26s to move around the country every few weeks unless they had their own accommodation.

There have been other age related cuts in benefits since for under 25s and quite recently even under 35s.

None of those measures caused much outrage or protest after the initial shock.

Not just those immediately affected though. I'm guessing Shard's "and beyond" would include others, like the older siblings and parents of those unemployed under 25s whose lives may also be blighted.

Point taken Maybe not a large contingent to begin with.

Actually, by "beyond" I meant voters up to say 30 that still relate to the mid-20s bracket.

Not sure what the Canadian framework is. I understand benefits are generally available once someone has already paid into the system. If that is the case there won't be much available to 18 year olds.