To be pleased most of the cabinet are Oxbridge graduates?

[sagerosemaryandthyme]

That's it really. Surely we want the brightest and best in the cabinet.

"Plus, might be sibscribing to a very outdated notion here but don't mummy and daddy usually have more sway in getting Timothy/Arabella into Oxbridge than Timothy/Arabella's academic prowess? "

Utter, utter bullshit.

Completely agree Riven. How can an MP who is driven about have any understanding how bloody awful it is if the bus staion gets closed?

Similarly how can you understand the needs of business if you have never ever worked anywhere but for your party?

We need a mix of people and backgrounds.

Of course, all the preparation that you describe, MrsC2010 would explain why public schools get such a high proportion of their pupils into Oxbridge, even if they don't have the ability to whiffle extraordinary talent and charm that Fennel & I obviously have

I think the Oxbridge thing is irrelevant for the cabinet (although generally very good and I am very glad I got into Cambridge and got a decent degree. I don't think mummy and daddy slipped the college a fiver to take me, but they certainly couldn't have afforded any more than that).

I really worry about the type of people who go into politics. There are an awful failed barristers, local councillors who want a step up and union officials none of whom have ever had a 'proper' job. I know there are some GPs/ teachers etc but they are outweighed by the professional politicians who only really want power and that bothers me.

BTW, William Hague was definitely at a comprehensive school.

My Mum went to Oxford to read classics from a working class background and a state school in Gateshead - this was in the late 60s. So it's ridiculous to say that it's only recently that they've started to consider state school applicants.

I think that teachers at sixth form saying to pupils that they won't get in to Oxbridge as it is elitist and snobby is more to do with the chip on the shoulder of the teacher rather than an actual problem at Oxbridge.

never mind that Fio - quattro for PM

BariatricObama: Oxbridge is not open to all of society.....

Erm, actually it is. It costs no more than any other university, and as long as you get the grades, it doesn't matter if you went to Eton or a local comp.

Of course there are thousands of brilliant candidates from all sorts of universities, but I agree with OP...it is a positive sign that we can recognise an excellent standard of education in many of the cabinet members. It was a very reasonable and logical comment from OP, and one I totally agree with

rasputin - how do you know we don't?

But the subject here is parliamentary politics. And I think there are a lot of practical issues which disuade people.

1. It is very difficult to be selected. As I say, career politicians are often parachuted in. You try telling your local selection panel that you want to stand instead of Brown's cronies. You can try but you won't get anywhere.

1. Even if you could get selected, it's a difficult job for many women. The split shifts and living arrangements make it impossible for many.

I agree with fennel - getting in was a matter of being confident enough to bullshit with the tutors.

Public school types were very unfashionable at the time (early 90s) and I think it helped that I was from a Northern comprehensive and had no extra-curricula activities, no special prep and definitely no fencing.

It is a very insular world, the Ivory Tower stereotype still rings true and so I would always be suspicious of career politicians, left or right.

It's the privileged and they're going to be looking after the privileged of this country, God help the rest of us

I went to Oxford (Jacob Rees-Mogg was president of the Oxford Union while I was there), and would make a TERRIBLE Cabinet Minister. YABU

serejen - the Labour party, are in my experience no better.
During selection process local people are disuaded from standing or they simply fail.
Orders come from central office and career politicians get in. Yes, I'm looking at you Yvette.

Litchick's guide to becoming a politicain.

1.Attend grammer school if possible.

1. Attend Oxbridge to read PPE.
2. While at Uni become involved in student politics and various political cliques. Have very little contact with the majority of students.
3. Upon graduation do not take gap year but move directly to Westminster.
4. Take job as researcher of other unelected backroom job for MP.
5. Spend next two years in Westminster.
6. Side step to simialr job for a cabinet minister or someone similarly on the up.

8.Make it known you would like to stand.

1. Wait to be told your safe seat.

10. Arrive for first time in Pontefract/Milton Keynes/Dudley for selection process.

I see you've met Ed Balls... Litchick

5a. In order to experience 'real world' get a job as a media/PR consultant

9a. Get map of the UK and find Pontefract/Milton Keynes etc

But if 'expert in statescraft' basically means having been student president of the debating society, then yes, I think they don't necessarily have a great deal to contribute to government.

well if they know fuck all about what it's like to be a member of the random joe bloggs public then yes I do think it's wrong if they're all that kind.........as generally they're looking after their own and don't know/give a shit about the rest.