I am incredibly proud of my surname. I love being a member of the Bays clan. Many people I’m sure take pride in their family name, but a name alone doesn’t define who we become. It certainly hasn’t defined me.
Being in a strong family unit does. Since childhood, family has been central to my life. My parents Thomas & Melanie who have since passed away taught me respect, compassion, hard work, and most importantly, how to love. These qualities aren’t natural, they’re learned over many years. And they’re best instilled within a strong family unit.
Without that foundation, who knows where I’d be? I’m convinced life would have been more difficult. I doubt I could help myself, raise my own family, or support others to the same level I do now.
Growing up in South Shields wasn’t always easy. My dad was a caulker burner in the shipyards, and work could be in short supply despite the many yards across the North-East. We struggled at times, but my parents always did their best for me. They taught me to be grateful for the basics such as food, warmth, clothing, things many across the globe go without daily.
More than a surname, our family unit defines who we become – and it’s under attack in Britain – Keith Bays
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In the Bays household, material things weren’t the priority. Sure, I sometimes wished for the latest computer game or football shirt, but what truly mattered was that my parents were present, always around to take me to school, football or just be present.
They spent time with me, guided me, and, most of all, loved me. Thanks to their example, I now strive to do the same for my two daughters. Without a strong family unit, there’s no guidance and no one to steer a young person in the right direction. And when that’s missing, too often, the consequences are dire, heartache, crime, and domestic violence.
It’s a cycle that leads to the breakdown of modern society. Breaking this cycle isn’t easy, but it’s possible. And we must do everything we can to make sure we do.
I can’t talk about family without mentioning my brilliant wife, Sara. A passionate schoolteacher, she gave me the confidence to pursue journalism. Without Sara’s support, I wouldn’t be working for GB News today. I’ve learned a great deal from Sara. One of the most important lessons?
The value in encouraging others. That helping others is even more rewarding than helping just myself. As a dad, I believe encouraging my girls to be their best selves is critical. Confidence will help them navigate an increasingly challenging world in which we all now live.
Teaching them both the value of hard work, manners, and dedication, I believe, will equip them to thrive. In the years to come, I hope they’ll take what they’ve learned from our family unit not just to help themselves but to help others and carry themselves with integrity in life.
At GB News, I try to make an impact – not just through my own work but by supporting my colleagues. I want the best for everyone who works at GB News, to help the growth and development of others and to contribute all I can to the success of this brilliant business. Helping others is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. But I wouldn’t have that mindset without the lessons instilled in me by my parents, my wife, and my two daughters.
As a society, we must do more to promote the importance of family. In my view, the decline of the family unit is the single biggest cause of today’s societal issues. That must not be allowed to continue moving forward. Right now, society may feel at a low ebb. But I say to everyone, don’t lose hope. Change is possible. We can all play a part in helping to rebuild the family unit we have.