How do vocal socialists justify private school?

[EachandEveryone]

I often think it about gobby musicians and lately I’ve noticed friends who vehemently believe in equal opportunities for all sending their little ones to private school even though there are outstanding primary schools nearby. For the sporting opportunities was the reason. I have never

Gilead, Bertrand said earlier she might make exceptions for servery disabled dc to go private. So under her socialist rule....

We fought long and hard with ourselves about it. We believe very much that all children should receive the same opportunities in life and schools should be funded at same level as independent sector. We’d probably vote for the abolition of private schools. We’d certainly support loss of charitable status.
Yet we sent our children to a top public school for part of their education. Why? How? Quite simply because a parent can’t allow their children to be disadvantaged by their principles. We did it to reduce the impact of me having cancer treatments and another life limiting condition on the children’s public exam results. We did it because my daughter wanted to be able to dance at a high level whilst still achieving the highest grades. Where we live her dance programme involved three hours of car journeys four days a week and at weekends. At that point she was undecided about a professional dance career.
Was it the right choice? They think so and that’s good enough for us. We don’t really have to justify our position to others - although we’ve certainly been ribbed for our choice.

Emma Thompson is a classic example of this.

Leftie hypocrites are everywhere.

I was fascinated when reading a book about the Russian spy, Kim Philby, who was working to bring about a USSR-style 'Socialist Paradise' in the West. As a member of the British intelligence services he travelled a lot and always insisted on First Class and good champagne.

It's reported that after he defected to Moscow he was very disappointed by his sought-after lifestyle. Maybe the despised capitalist life was more to his taste than he realised.

”Because wanting to do the best for your kids is a stronger impulse than more general principles.”

Exactly. My younger, childless self would be utterly horrified and ashamed of our decision to send DC to a private school. But when you have a 10 year old hurtling at speed towards a local comprehensive that has nosedived recently and with many reports from local parents of bad teaching, poor leadership and a variety of other worrying things echoing in your ears, principles become a bit weaker. Or mine did, anyway.

I am very aware that makes me a hypocrite. No problem if anyone wants to call me that. But DC only get one go at education, and I just wouldn’t have been able to look myself in the eye if I’d sent DS1 to the local school on principle knowing we didn’t have to. I’m certain he’s happier, doing better and safer where he is. Principles are important and it disappoints me that I’ve abandoned mine when it comes to private education, but my job is to do my best by my children.

So you rather vote Tories who are open about not believing in equal opportunities?