Grayling warns of 'Shameless' parenting

The Conservatives have warned that the kind of parenting shown in the TV show 'Shameless' is becoming the norm in many parts of Britain.

Shadow work and pensions secretary Chris Grayling told a think-tank in London on Wednesday that many mothers and fathers follow the example of Frank Gallagher, the feckless father in the Channel 4 comedy.

He said that the Conservatives must be ready to address the loss of parenting skills caused by children being left to their own devices as they grow up.

He rejected attacks on single mothers associated with the Tories in the 80s and early 90s, saying the party should never again appear to be "at war with lone parents".

"There are millions of devoted lone parents delivering the care and nurture children need, often in challenging circumstances," he said.

"We want to help lone parents build their lives, not stigmatise them."

Grayling went on: "We live in a country where, in many places, Frank Gallagher-style parenting has become the norm and not the exception.

"There are too many communities where parents no longer know what good parenting is. Where children are largely left to their own devices as they grow up.

"Most people learn their parenting skills from their own parents... Who else but from your own parents do you learn how to say no, or when to punish, or when love and affection is needed?

"But what happens if that inherited knowledge simply isn't there? What happens if your own parents lacked parenting skills?"