Current Affairs The Labour Party

[Bruce Wayne]

I don´t think we should be fine with the disparity in children´s chances from the moment they leave the womb. If we don´t want to abolish private schools (which I genuinely think would help) we should be looking to fund and create a truly world class education system that rivals the private sector.

Alas, that would mean people who send their children to private schools giving more in tax so that´s a nonstarter as well.

I'm afraid it's a pipe dream. The biggest influence on a child's chances is their parents, and it's well documented how educated (not necessarily wealthy) parents read more, are more engaged in parenting, provide varied stimuli, have a more valuable social network, and all the other things that help a child to thrive academically. There are things that can be done, not least in the earliest years, but trying to nobble those who are able and willing to invest in their children's education seems a poor way to go.

 

[tsubaki]

A more sensible policy would have been an increased tax on sending a kid to private school, which would directly fund state education.

But no, because in the minds of Momentum, such a policy would mean endorsing the existence of private schools in the first place and they can't be having any of that...

... and if they had, you'd be here calling it extreme far left claptrap.

This pretence that the centrists have a rational way of closing the wealth gap would be hilarious if it was happening to some other society.

 

[dannyboy]

And this is why you're the greatest gift a Tory could ever want.

They want a no deal Brexit. In terms of disastrous policies that would ruin the country I think that has to be number 1...

I think most of the people saying they wouldn´t vote for Labour at the next election are probably people who have rarely voted Labour in their entire lives. The party actually supported in 2015 and that still wasn´t centrist enough.

 

[Tubey]

... and if they had, you'd be here calling it extreme far left claptrap.

This pretence that the centrists have a rational way of closing the wealth gap would be hilarious if it was happening to some other society.

No I bloody wouldn't or I wouldn't have suggested it.

 

[dannyboy]

A more sensible policy would have been an increased tax on sending a kid to private school, which would directly fund state education.

But no, because in the minds of Momentum, such a policy would mean endorsing the existence of private schools in the first place and they can't be having any of that...

That´s actually the plan! Glad you like it.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

But inequality continues to grow at a rapid level. It´s not sustainable or healthy for our society to be going down this path. Things are never going to be perfect, at least in our life time, but we can do better than we currently are.

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That´s the percentage of privately educated folk taking up these positions. We shouldn´t be comfortable with that.

For what it's worth, I'm not sure anyone is comfortable with that, and there's a heap of research on the importance of having a diverse workforce, both in terms of class and the various other more traditional measures, but banning private schools isn't the right way to proceed.

 

[Tubey]

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That´s actually the plan! Glad you like it.

Haha go and read the motion in full mate...

 

[tsubaki]

No I bloody wouldn't or I wouldn't have suggested it.

Of course you would, if Momentum had said it.

 

[dannyboy]

For what it's worth, I'm not sure anyone is comfortable with that, and there's a heap of research on the importance of having a diverse workforce, both in terms of class and the various other more traditional measures, but banning private schools isn't the right way to proceed.

Whether you´re left or right, tackling the growing inequality is in everyone´s interests. Breaking down the barriers that prevent people progressing in life benefits us all. I think getting rid of the Eton cliques would be a step in the right direction. Finland, best education system in Europe, no fee paying schools.

 

[Tubey]

Of course you would, if Momentum had said it.

I'm not automatically against a 'thing' because a 'thing' said it...

Only extremes think that way.

 

[tsubaki]

For what it's worth, I'm not sure anyone is comfortable with that, and there's a heap of research on the importance of having a diverse workforce, both in terms of class and the various other more traditional measures, but banning private schools isn't the right way to proceed.

Sorry Bruce, but there is plenty of evidence that lots of people are comfortable with that - otherwise how have we got into this situation?

 

[tsubaki]

I'm not automatically against a 'thing' because a 'thing' said it...

Only extremes think that way.

Well that is ironic then, because as Danny has pointed out what you called for is in that motion. Do you support that part of it?

 

[dannyboy]

Sorry Bruce, but there is plenty of evidence that lots of people are comfortable with that - otherwise how have we got into this situation?

They've been running country for the last 200 years.

 

[Tubey]

Well that is ironic then, because as Danny has pointed out what you called for is in that motion. Do you support that part of it?

Yes, depending on the extent it's done. Unfortunately, the other 'part' of the motion basically eradicates private schools altogether, making everything else redundant.

You may have noticed I've said nothing about the prescription fees? Because it's a good policy - it's a flat tax on the poor and infirmed and should be got rid of. Unfortunately Labour go about disguising any decent policy they come up with with a barrage of nonsense, so it won't get talked about.

 

[tsubaki]

Yes, depending on the extent it's done. Unfortunately, the other 'part' of the motion basically eradicates private schools altogether, making everything else redundant.

You may have noticed I've said nothing about the prescription fees? Because it's a good policy - it's a flat tax on the poor and infirmed and should be got rid of. Unfortunately Labour go about disguising any decent policy they come up with with a barrage of nonsense, so it won't get talked about.

It is kind of telling that you don't say anything about a policy you agree with, or the part of another policy that you agree with (until asked directly), but rather spend several posts having yet another go at "the extreme left" for proposing something that would only negatively affect the very well off.

Also I would point out that the motion says "integrate", not "eradicate". The plan appears to be to get rid of the indirect state financial support that keeps many schools going, and then take them over when they go bust (which is similar to how they want to bring the railway TOCs back into state ownership).