Thing is I probably come from a much more "deprived" background than Russell Brand. But I got an education.
There is a great tradition of people making it through to thinking for themselves from working class backgrounds, but generally that has meant evening class/ study/ eventually going to University. These days there is quite a wide access to University for people who want it, when I went there were grants, and these days it means loans and debt which is appalling, but there is a far higher proportion of people going into education.
There is a value to education in helping clarity of thought and expression and that is a worthwhile thing if you want to argue your point and, indeed, change the world with your ideas.
I think Brand has got some good points - we do have a poor choice as regards political options, the main parties do appear smug and lacking in imagination. But how are things going to be made better?
The guy in conversation with Brand recently on Radio 4 who started 38 degrees- well he has really achieved something worthwhile and made a difference. He came over as thoughtful and measured. Brand comes over as shrill and arrogant. He sounds as though he does not really understand he words he uses. It is shame. If he is serious about wanting to be a writer and a thinker then I think he needs to find a way to educate himself.