‘Those who pursue riches are anti-social’ , says Fairness Commission chairman Richard Wilkinson

Published: 11 February 2011
by TOM FOOT

THE chairman of the Fairness Commission has called for “continued campaigning and an enduring social movement” if a more equal society is to be created in Islington.

Professor Richard Wilkinson, in a forthcoming foreword to an interim report of the Commission, said those who pursue vast riches must be exposed as “anti-social” if any lasting change is to be brought about.

His book, The Spirit Level, has proved that the income gap between rich and poor is directly related to social problems, including rates of murder, teenage pregnancies and mental illness.

Professor Wilkinson said: “Community life in societies with bigger income differences has repeatedly been shown to be weaker. The statistics bear out the old intuition that inequality is divisive and the enemy of social cohesion.

“The task ahead of us is to change the ethical values of society. Given that the pursuit of wealth is driven by the desire for status, a key is to ensure that the accumulation of wealth – far beyond the proper share of any individual – is seen simply as an anti-social and disreputable reflection of self-interest.”

He added: “The Islington Fairness Commission was set up to improve the quality of life in the borough by making it a fairer place for all who live and work in it. Islington is marked by some of the biggest contrasts in wealth and poverty in the country. 

“Despite being one of the richest boroughs, it also has amongst the highest levels of deprivation and it is of course these differences which provide the foundations on which class distinctions are built. 

“It is inconsistent to want a classless society but to tolerate high levels of inequality in income and wealth.”

The Commission will hear from the public and debate health inequalities at its sixth meeting on Tuesday.

Hundreds are expected in Jean Stokes Community Centre, Bemerton Estate, Carnoustie Drive, from 6.30pm.