Them and us - why posh Tories who claim to care about social mobility haven't got a clue

This conversation angers me. Since when does a politician or activist have to be salt of the earth to have a view on social justice? Would our society have eradicated slavery, or given women the right to vote, without the vision and assistance of rich and privileged people who felt a moral duty to change society?

And networking isn't limited to the rich - anyone is more likely to get a job, etc. if they ask everyone they know if they can help.

Aspiration?, independence?, a work ethic!?!? Valuing educashun????

Tory scum!

Is 'social mobility' a particularly left wing ideology, then?

It doesn't seem so to me. Left wing ideologies appear to be about equality and fairness. But a true meritocracy allows those who are most able and hardworking to prosper, whilst the less able remain (relatively) poor.

Social mobility as an ideology assumes that moving from 'working class' to 'middle class' is a desirable aim. Is this really a left wing opinion?

However, most Tories want others to share their values - such as aspirations, independence, work ethic and valuing education. So I can see how social mobility fits into Tory ideology.

being a tory supporter does not necessarily equate with being well off. my parents always voted tory and are working class.
Plenty of labour Mp's come from wealthy families. So what?? Are they good at their job, thats what i want to know.
You don't need to break a leg to know it hurts, likewise you don't have to have been on benefits to know money is tight. anyway government is to represent all sections of society not just the moaning lower classes

And here is a link to the treasury's household impact assessment (to 2012/13), showing how tax and benefit changes impact each income decile so that you can at least make an educated attack on their policies.

It is fair enough to judge the Coalition's approach to social mobility by analysing its policies, but not by condemning the background and upbringing of its members.

People are allowed to change their views over several decades, and who can honestly say that they would not seek to benefit in such a way if they were lucky enough to have the connections? Networking is a fact of life across all classes, and my very working class father was instrumental in getting me my first job.

They will only be hypocrites if they seek the same privilege for their own children when the time comes.

DTD, I think (or sincerely hope) s/he was being sarcastic in reply to LFN.

Nepkoztasasag, what do you mean? All classes, indeed society as a whole benefits from the best people being able to access university education. You say raising tuition fees will help eliminate unnecessary competition, what in the form of working class kids getting places?

the tories spend more on a meal than the average pensioner has to live on in a week , and we are all in this together they say, they do not have a clue how the average person lives week to week .

I agree with longfingernails. Only people from the top income brackets really benefit from university education. Raising tuition fees will help eliminate unnecessary competition.

There is one shred of hope in this:

The Tories failed to win the election even though we were in the grip of a major recession, had a very unpopular sitting Prime Minister, most of the press on their side.

This is a one shot government I just hope the damage they intend to do to society can be repaired

minieggfan you forgot about the gullible who fell for the lies.

Conservative: Not liking or trusting change, especially sudden change.
Social mobility = change.

longfingernails, in the 80's the working classes in many countries were able to afford foreign holidays, which leads me to believe that Thatcher was not responsible. Yes many bought their council houses leading to a deficit of social housing today.

I'm not sure what Thatcher and the 80s has to do with social mobility being eroded by the current government's policies though.

LFN I think people vote Tory because they are selfish and unintelligent.

And went on foreign holidays for the first time, not if that snob Letwin has his way or does that only apply to Sheffield

For the first time, thanks to Thatcher and capitalism, they could see a better future for their children than they had themselves.

I dont agree regarding Thatcher but it is certain that no one could apply that to this government.

Sorry - that middle paragraph should be:

Why do you think people vote Tory?

Of course conservatives (as a movement - if not always the Tory party itself) care about social mobility.

Why do you people vote Tory?

Thatcher created millions of working-class Tories. She made it possible for them to bought their own council house, and went on foreign holidays for the first time. For the first time, thanks to Thatcher and capitalism, they could see a better future for their children than they had themselves.

C&P

It's the bottom 10% who suffer most, the next 10% next and so on: it's regressive. Taking the low paid out of tax sounds generous ? but that £200 a year is overwhelmed by the average family's extra £450 in VAT. Add in frozen child benefit and public sector pay, then add the more devastating cuts ? 10% cut in childcare support worth an average £780, lost EMA worth £30 a week or the £500 cut for new mothers. Austerity babies born from this month lose £1,783 in their first year.

So much for the Tories social mobility

The Tories by their very policies, manifestos everything they stand for DO NOT want social mobility at all, it's laughable to say the least, but equally neither do any other mainstream political party.
If people started to open their eyes to how the system works as Henry Ford famously said, there would be rioting in the streets by morning.

don't think anyone joins the Conservative party because they have a burning desire for social justice..!

A group of swivel eyed, xenophobic, selfish, class ridden people at best.

Do the Tories claim to care about social mobility?

It's not exactly a pillar of party policy; don't think anyone joins the Conservative party because they have a burning desire for social justice..!

Well longfingernails, looks like you're going to get your wish as only earners in the top 15-20% of the populations will be able to afford to send their kids to university.

The intelligent, able working class kids can stay in their place: the working class.

LFN as long as that 15%-20% does not include any public school pupils.

Second thoughts, if you have the grades then you have the right to a place at university.

DTD, what if he does pass and the bastard Tories have screwed up the NHS as they intend to do and there is no job for him.

The Tories dont want social mobility they want to keep their ill gotten gains for themselves and their greedy scumfilth friends boardroom mates

I personally would prefer to go back to only 15%-20% of people going to universities, and student fees staying relatively low.

However, given that we have such a ridiculous proportion going to university, it is unrealistic to expect large state funding. The people who will benefit from university should pay for it, in one form or another. This capped graduate tax does that quite effectively.