Ian Duncan Smith Slams 'The X-Factor' Culture

The British society seems to celebrate the "get rich quick" celebrity culture, as demonstrated by "The X-Factor" and the dysfunctional lifestyle of footballers, the Work and Pensions Secretary, Ian Duncan Smith, said to the Guardian, during an interview on Britain after the summer riots.

According to the report, the Secretary said some of the burglary and looting was triggered by a materialistic and consumer culture.

"If you look at the footballers, you look at our celebrity culture, we seem to be saying, 'This is the way you want to be.' We seem to be a society that celebrates all the wrong people," he said.

"Kids are meant to believe that their stepping stone to massive money is "The X-Factor". Luck is great but most of life is hard work. We do not celebrate people who have made success out of serious hard work," he added.

The Secretary pointed out rewards given to bankers who then demanded protection from the government had left an impression in some communities about "rules for one and not for the other".

He also spoke about the influence of the "crowd mentality" as one of the primary factors behind the riots, as several perpetrators were "sucked in", according to a Mirror report. In addition, he also indicated he was of the belief that a lack of balance in society was yet another factor for the riots and needed to be addressed in all communities.