I have decided that the youth of today is every bit comparable, if not better, than previous generations.

Look around at some of the outstanding young adults we are developing.

My immediate neighbours, whose family are of Ugandan Asian origin, have a son and daughter who are pleasant, polite and upright citizens of this country.

If I look at the Moseley Colts rugby side, of which my son is a member, for lads who are still teenagers they are an outstanding group of boys.

Their educationalational attainments are mixed but their discipline, character and potential leadership abilities shine forth.

And then I salute the new graduates of Southampton Solent University, my daughter among them.

I went along to the graduation ceremony last week and pondered the exemplary standard of young person that educational establishment is turning out.

As the students walked onto the stage in turn, their pride in achievement stood out.

So I don't buy this business today that A levels are supposedly easier and too many individuals are graduating with nonsense degrees.

I think it is just as hard as it ever was; indeed a lot harder.

I would not relish starting out again.

I got in straight from university; now I would almost certainly have to spend a year and much money doing a one year journalism course before anyone would even look at me.

Then I would have to hawk myself around newsrooms doing endless unpaid "work experience". And, if I was really lucky, someone might take me on at near poverty wages.

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My graduation ceremony was to say the least lively.

I completed a four year MA course at Dundee University in 1973, still in the student rebel years.

And there was a certain degree of contempt by some for graduation ceremonies - caps, gowns, bowing or curtsying to the Chancellor, who happened to be the late Queen Mother. The establishment was viewed with disdain, and what could be more establishment than a degree ceremony.

One of the blokes, in flowing long hair, made his point by curtsying to the Queen Mother. And, then, in a bizarre moment, a wife of one of the lecturers, stood up on the stage and attempted to make some sort of protest. She got hustled away by Special Branch. No such excitement at Southampton Solent, thank goodness.

Now, the critics, led by the likes of the CBI, claim our young people are coming out of university ill-educated and unready for working life.

Some say too many are being cheated, spending thousands to become graduates only fit for the dole queue. And, to be fair, of my daughter's immediate chums few are in worthwhile jobs.

In my view we are continuing to produce thousands and thousands of rounded young people who will prove to be an asset to society.

And that applies as much to university graduates, building apprentices or trainee chefs.

The building blocks are there.

Britain is in good hands.