Bury North MP James Daly defends remarks over poor parenting

Bury North MP James Daly was elected in December 2019

A Conservative MP has defended his comments where he said most children who struggle in his constituency were "the products of crap parents".

Bury North MP James Daly made the remark to the i newspaper while analysing election prospects.

His Labour rival accused him of "insulting the parenting skills" of his constituents.

But Mr Daly said he wanted to help people from disadvantaged backgrounds have the best chance to succeed.

Speaking to the newspaper initially, Mr Daly stressed the importance of "stability" offered by the family unit as he outlined what the New Conservatives group of MPs stands for.

The Bury North MP said: "I think New Conservatives represent very much working-class conservatism.

"We're not a strange right-wing sect. It's just people who want to give people the best chance to succeed and thrive in life.

"When you think about the family, it's about stability.

"Most of the kids who struggle in Bury are the products of crap parents and so what do we do to try to address that issue?

"On the left it would just be we'll throw money at this and hope something sticks, somebody like me thinks about this more fundamentally."

'Fruitful life'

In response to the article, James Frith, Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate for Bury North, said it was "revealing to see how little James Daly thinks of his own constituents".

"Rather than insulting the parenting skills of people in Bury, he should look closer to home," he said.

Mr Daly has since responded to the criticism, adding he wanted "to ensure those from most disadvantaged backgrounds have best chance to thrive and succeed".

"The state on its own can't achieve this and parents have a crucial role to play in ensuring they are able to support their children through early years.

"I want to make sure that no matter your background you have the best chance to have a happy, positive fruitful life."