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Original poster

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

255 replies

breadandbutterfly · 09/04/2011 21:49

...and are patronising bastards to boot.

See:

www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/apr/09/social-mobility-suzanne-moore

Esp enjoy the comment at 9 April 2011 9:32AM -

"The Camerons know how to 'work' their connections, too. David Cameron got his first job as a researcher for Tim Rathbone, his godfather and Conservative MP for Lewes.

Three months later he went to Hong Kong to work at the conglomerate Jardine Matheson - Daddy was stockbroker to the chairman, providing a fast-track into the business world.

When the young Cameron was due to attend a job interview at Conservative Central Office, a phone call was received from Buckingham Palace. "I understand you are to see David Cameron," said the caller. "I am ringing to tell you that you are about to meet a truly remarkable young man."

It has been speculated that the mystery call was from Captain Sir Alastair Aird, Equerry to the Queen Mother and husband of Cameron's godmother. The Airds vigorously denied it. Others have suggested the caller might have been Sir Brian McGrath, a family friend who was private secretary to Prince Philip. But he, too, though named as a referee for the job, denies it firmly".

You couldn't make it up could you? They're all in it together.
"

OP posts:
DioneTheDiabolist · 09/04/2011 22:54

Oh I do realise that. However, it is seriously off putting (in social mobility terms) to want to start adult life with more than £45,000 of debt (£45K for tuition only, more will be borrowed for books and living expenses). What if he didn't pass, what if he didn't finish. Maybe it wouldn't put others off, but I can tell you now, most working class kids and parents would be pooing their pants at the thought of that much debt.

Really high tuition fees impede social mobility.

SpringHeeledJack · 09/04/2011 22:51

course they don't want social mobility when they're all doing quite nicely with the status quo, ta very much

ds (13) keeps telling me that he doesn't want to go to college, as he fears debt. This view, I understand, is pretty prevalent amongst his mates at his inner city comp

my argument is that 'that's what they want you to think, son. So that universities become the preserve of the upper middles and uppers once more, the way things used to be.'

longfingernails · 09/04/2011 22:42

DianeTheDiabolist

You do realise he won't pay back until he finishes, right? You only start repayments after graduation, and only when your salary is above £21000.

DioneTheDiabolist · 09/04/2011 22:30

What really disproves their claims about social mobility is this:

My cousin is a doctor. His parents are working class and he became a doctor. Last week my son said he wants to be a doctor. With £9000 per year tuition fees, it will cost him £45,000 before he buys a book. God knows how much more it will cost by the time he leaves school. So I am hoping that he will change his mind because unless I win the lottery he has no hope.

If Mr Cameron really wants social mobility he would make university affordable.

nulliusxinxverbax · 09/04/2011 22:22

Quite right - I think their "reality" is so far removed from ours that people find it hard to believe.
Surely they know by now that "social mobility" is perhaps not the best topic they should bring up?
Unfortunatly though, nearly all our politicians regardless of party have had a leg-up somewhere along the line....in a way they are all hypocrites