Generational respect works both ways

Drawing on the abandonment by the media of older female TV newsreaders and the fact that two of the main political parties are led by 42-year-olds, he was highlighting an apparent paradox that, despite the number of older people increasing dramatically, society was becoming more ageist.

It is not an unreasonable perspective to adopt, but it is highly selective. Tell a young "hoodie" hanging around harmlessly in public space that we worship at the altar of the young and he would look at us in disbelief. Say the same to those unable to follow their educational choices or get a position in the labour market and they would laugh in our faces. I suppose it all depends on what Heseltine means by "young". The discarded female newsreaders, to those of pensionable age, probably look strikingly young, while David Cameron and Nick Clegg, to teenagers, almost certainly look middle-aged. So it is a debate that will roll on.