Fairness can be so subjective, as the PM knows

It’s quite short in length but is open to all sorts of interpretations.

It also tends to get bandied around a lot, mainly by those who think they’re getting a raw deal and deserve more.

For that reason it also tends to be a real buzzword for those in charge to show they understand, they empathise, they care.

Let me take you back to 2010 when a senior figure summed up his approach to the issue.

“Fairness means giving people what they deserve – and what people deserve depends on how they behave.”

The words were uttered by David Cameron, the now Prime Minister, who claims the Conservatives are the party of working people.

This is the same David Cameron who also about that time was selling off £30,000 in shares in an offshore trust that was set up by his father.

Was it illegal? No. All tax was paid, says Number 10.

But, did he profit from an immoral system that he’s spoken out against? Yes.

And in a week when the uncomfortable but totally legal process of tax avoidance is centre stage thanks to the Panama Papers, it’s causing a few sleepless nights for those in the Cameron household (and I included Larry the Downing Street cat in that).

So is it fair? That’s where the arguments will start.

Fairness has also been a key theme in Worthing the past week.

The first trigger point was a crackdown on street drinkers and beggars, some of who are causing problems to others.

To combat it, local leaders have introduced a crackdown zone across the town centre, meaning those found causing a nuisance or being aggressive to others could then be hit with a £50 fine.

It has caused a bit of an outrage with more than 5,000 people signing a petition saying such a measure is inhumane and cruel.

Opponents believe the fair thing to do when people are on the streets is not apply more pressure but more support.

Those backing it though, who include business leaders and politicians, say that every other measure has been taken – including support – and, if they do not act soon, then the town will start to suffer.

Fairness is also centre stage at a public inquiry around Roffey Homes’ plans for a big block of housing on the corner of the seafront and Grand Avenue in Worthing.

The 11-storey block will bring 36 flats into the town at a time of a real housing shortage. Developer Roffey Homes claims it will also bring a £15 million cash injection into the area.

But locals believe the proposal is ugly, too big and will look out of place on the town’s seafront.

They go on to say that putting such a big block in that prime location could affect 250 residents living nearby by blocking out their light.

In each of these cases there’s a very obvious argument on both sides with each protagonist having a claim on the F word.

So who is right?

Well at risk of causing a great amount of unfairness I will don my Judge Judy wig and gown and assess each case with Cameron’s mantra about people getting what they deserve.

First up – Cameron’s offshore profits: fair? No. And he knows it. Which is why Dave deserves the hard time coming his way in the approaching weeks.

Next – Giving street drinkers fines: fair? Not really. But if people are rejecting all other help and causing others harm and intimidation then perhaps they deserve some stick as well as a carrot.

And finally – building a tower on the seafront blocking out people’s access to light: fair? Probably not. But everyone needs somewhere to live so for that reason I’m sort of for it.

And on that note, I’ll grab my coat....

I NEARLY dropped my candy floss last week when I heard one of the UK’s finest tourist attractions had changed hands.

Eclectic Bar Group, chaired by Luke Johnson, has entered a conditional agreement to buy the Palace Pier for £18 million.

It may be one of the most visited free attractions in the country. But trying to make a return while funding an extensive maintenance programme to the Victorian structure will be difficult.

The current owner, Noble Amusements, has done its best, even if it did mean controversially re-branding the Palace Pier as Brighton Pier.

The good news is the new firm has local links, already operating the Dirty Blonde and LolaLo venues. If it wants a surefire way to make a splash with the locals, an obvious move would be to take down the Brighton Pier sign immediately and put the Palace back in our pier.