A KEY factor in my standing for Parliament was to stand up for the family.

That is one of the reasons I was so pleased to be drawn out of the hat to present a Private Members Bill in a few weeks time - and I have chosen to focus on the family.

If my bill were to become law, it would ensure every item of legislation that was passed would have a positive effect on ‘the family’.

Collectively, my own family has been through pretty much everything but somehow weathered the storm of life. Looking forward, growing up in a society which values celebrates and nurtures ‘family’ - or doesn’t – will be defining to my children and their generation.

Sadly, we are world leaders in family breakdown. Yet the research around the effects of family stability and life chances couldn’t be more compelling.

According to a recent report, a child of separated parents is more likely to: Grow up in poorer housing, and leave home at a younger age; Have behavioural issues and report more depressive symptoms; Gain fewer educational qualifications and under-perform at school, before leaving education at an earlier stage; Require more medical treatment; Become sexually active, pregnant or a parent at an early age; and admit to higher levels of drug usage during adolescence and adulthood.

Estimates show that family breakdown costs around £46 billion, larger than the entire spend of the Scottish Government. Other estimates put the figure at £100 billion, almost as large as the NHS budget.

The objective of my Bill, Assessment of Government Policies (Impact on Families) is to introduce a family perspective to the policy making process.

It will ensure that ministers and departments recognise the potential impacts on family relationships in the process of developing and agreeing new policy and new legislative proposals.

The current proposal to further relax Sunday Trading Laws is a case in point, variously described as potentially “causing irrevocable damage to our lives as citizens” and “the sacrifice of family life on the altar of profit”. I have concerns for small, independent (often family run) businesses in my constituency too.

I’m a small state, ‘Big Society’ Conservative, so the irony of focussing on government to strengthen family is not lost on me.

But government can set the tone and, by virtue of its priorities, can wilfully or otherwise strengthen or undermine family stability. It should use every means at its disposal to strengthen.

Family can be the ultimate force for good. It instils in children character, values and responsibilities; it is the original and most effective safety-net, capable of reaching people that the state cannot, capable of helping people in a way the state is not able to, capable of rehabilitating people in a way that the state can only dream of.

Whether it’s tackling crime and anti-social behaviour or debt and drug addiction; whether it’s dealing with welfare dependency or improving educational outcomes – whatever the social issue we want to grasp – the answer should always begin with the family.

There have been many encouraging signs on which to build in the last few years, and I’m encouraged that we’ve made adoption simpler, helping loving families share their affection with children in need; early years accessibility has been improved and expanded and shared parental leave are all steps taken in the right direction.

But of course there’s more to do. Sure Start Childrens Centres were groundbreaking in their time and their work invaluable, particularly around preparedness for school, but if we are now to understand a child’s best interest to be in family relationships – to pass a figurative family test – do centres need to move to the family hub model?

Yes, in my estimation – to provide relationship support, family support beyond the 0 to fives and partner with parents through childhood and adolescence; extend their reach, as some already do, to grandparents; and to really pull in the dads.

The family is a micro-community, and the bridge between individuals and a wider society; families are the building blocks of society itself. The two are inextricably linked and mutually dependent; what affects one, will have a profound effect on the other. It’s a mistake to ignore this.

The Conservative Party has traditionally been the party of the family, and it now has an unparalleled opportunity to build on that reputation. This is our very own ‘Family Test’. Will we, as the government of the day, seize the day and the agenda?

It’s been said, “championing the family is not for the faint-hearted’’ so this will be a test for me too as a new MP but if a step change in this area of policy will not only benefit the public purse, but much more importantly, the life chances of all, and especially the most vulnerable, could there a more worthy calling?

  • Caroline Ansell is the Conservative MP for Eastbourne