Earlier today, a friend asked me “how about some social mobility discussion on the blog Nick?”

When I noticed that the report of the  Social Mobility Commission, established by Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, was  published today (http://www.libdems.org.uk/home/children%E2%80%99s-life-chances-still-tied-to-the-circumstances-of-their-birth-clegg-123335373;show) it was too good to miss. The report was managed independently of the Liberal Democrats and chaired by the Chief Executive of Barnardos.

I admit that my professional experience makes me better qualified to comment on things which can be kicked (roads, town planning, buildings, public realm etc) rather than those which should not be kicked (children, elderly people, social workers etc). Social mobility could be considered out of my remit, but it is actually the thing which I am most passionate about.

It is unacceptable that the principal determinant of life expectancy in Britain is the wealth of ones parents. A child born to wealthy parents will live 10 years longer, on average, than a child of a poorer background. A poorer child will have poorer health, worse education and a less secure job. I believe in a society in which opportunity is related to ability, not parents’ income. This is not that case in Britain today.

I will provide an update on blocked drains later, but now you know why I ‘do’ politics and why I am a Liberal Democrat.