Public school types are they fit to govern.

[modeller]

Many would be MPs go from top public schools to University and then straight into politics without any experience of working in the real world or knowledge of how most people live. Are such people fit and able to govern this country successfully ?

[tamborine]

Zeuhl needs a gym to straighten out those rounded shoulders laden with heavy chips ;)

[New Judge]

The problem is, Jayne, as soon as the term “public school” is mentioned many people immediately think of Eton, and to a lesser extent, Harrow. There is no doubt that establishments such as these provide a very different (though nonetheless outstanding) education to most “bog standard” fee paying schools.

Most pupils who are educated at their parents’ direct expense do turn out with considerably superior “soft” skills to those educated by the State system. Whether this is due to their education or the influence of their parents is hard to say, though it is probably a combination of both.

Many parents make considerable sacrifices to pay for their children’s education because, for many reasons too numerous to go into here, the State system simply does not stand up to scrutiny. This may well be true of you as you provide funds for your god-daughter. Unfortunately most people lump those who have made such sacrifices along with the mega-rich, and of course being rich and successful in this country is an absolute no-no.

[Quinlad]

It's often inverse snobbery to discriminate against someone because they went to public school.

However, (and this is where I probably disagree with New Judge), I think it's quite legitimate to look at an administration with an unusually high proportion of public school-educated ministers, and ask whether they are really representative of, and able to empathise with, the electorate at large.

[joggerjayne]

That's true, New Judge.

I agree about the image issue ... Eton and Harrow are often seen as parodies of themselves.

But for most of us, private education is not a privilege ... it is a hard choice for which, as you say, there are sacrifices.

Think of all the mums who pull up outside state schools in their Mercedes, or Range Rover Sports.

The price of those cars would have paid for their child to go to a private Prep School. But then ... they would have had to manage without the car!

I pay for my god-daughter because I'm a pretty hopeless godmother, and maybe not a great role model, so that is something that I can do ... by not blowing money on other things. And not having children of my own has saved me a lot of money!

[modeller]

jogger I noticed you used the term 'private school ' which is not a 'public school'.

[jake-the-peg]

The problem with private schools is that you just don't grow up seeing a representative cross section of the world.

I went to one and until I was 18 I'd never met anyone who's father was anything other than an accountant, or a bank manager or a businessman etc.

I got a better view of the world when I left to go to University because of where I went but I'm pretty sure that If I'd gone to Oxbridge (then it may have changed more since then) I'd have grown up with a pretty one sided view of the world.

[joggerjayne]

Quinlad ...

Should the "ruling administration" be representative though ?

If so, then Parliament and the Judiciary need to have more thick people, a lunatic or two, a few people who can't speak English, lots of oiks and chavs, a few blatant racists, and at least five Manchester United fans.

[tamborine]

A lot depends on family & child's personality as to how they fare in either school. Answering the given Q, children often follow in their parents roles - nepotism maybe but the child has 'inside' knowledge from birth.

My vet allows his 7y (PS) to insert thermometers into pets - kids learn at the knee.

[jake-the-peg]

Jayne

"If so, then Parliament and the Judiciary need to have more thick people, a lunatic or two, a few people who can't speak English, lots of oiks and chavs, a few blatant racists, and at least five Manchester United fans"

Do you think that is not the case?

[joggerjayne]

Modeller ... that is true ... but only a small number of private schools are "public schools" ... isn't it about 8, or something.

Are we just dealing with public school people, as opposed to "privately educated"?

[joggerjayne]

Jake ... I don't think they have that many Man Utd fans !!

LOL

[Bambi_1]

I believe that nobody should be eligible for parliament before they have spent several years in the "real world" either in business or the armed forces. A minimum age for selection of 30 should allow candidates to have acquired a reasonable amount of experience. Whether their education was in the state system or in public school should not have any bearing on their eligibility. I think the baiting of Cameron and Co. on the grounds of their eductional background is a red herring and evidence only of petty class hatred. Far more impotant should be the issues of whether our elected representatives are mature, experienced and worldly-wise enough to stand up to public scrutiny and do their jobs.

[jake-the-peg]

http://www.joinmust.o...ons/david-ruffley.php here's one

Here's another

http://www.joinmust.o...atrons/tony-lloyd.php

[jake-the-peg]

Please don't make me name the oiks and chavs ;c)

[joggerjayne]

Cripes, jake !

How odd.

I wonder if any MPs are Brighton fans?

As to the oiks and chavs ... most of them, I think ... and certainly the whole of the Cabinet.

[modeller]

jogger You may not know this but the Royalty are given special coaching on how to talk to the lower classes, especially when the media are involved, If you want to know how they really behave speak with some of their retired staff , you will hear a different story.
We were given a talk by a butler who described Princess Margaret as a b****. She was so arrogant that some staff refused to work for her.

[jake-the-peg]

I don't think it's that odd - football's very popular

I'm intrigued though why you think it's strange?

I think in general MPs come from quite a cross section of the population - Senior Politicans do seem to have been those doing PPE at University.

But then most Barristers do Law at university and most doctors do medicine!

Do we really want "amateur" politicians?

[joggerjayne]

Well, Princess Margaret is not known for her social grace.

She is the unfortunate one who would have been Queen, if she was born first.

But I think the Princess Royal is totally charming.

Maybe we should all have lessons on how to communicate with people from outside our social circles. Society might be nicer if we did.

[jake-the-peg]

Which is exactly my first point about growing up in a limited social group

[McMouse]

Let's face it John Prescott was a "heart-beat" away from being PM. Now there's an example of the benefits of a Public School education.