Socialists/Labour voters sending their children to fee-paying schools

I'm not bothered by others going to private schools, but I do find hypocrisy a bit annoying. E.g. Champagne socialist Nick Clegg's decision to send his child to a private school whilst at the same time harshly criticising them. The double standards is what annoys me.

Conversely, would it be hypocritical for a 'right-leaning' person to send their children to a public school?

I prefer the notion of an egalitarian education system - which in theory would involve no private schooling. But I can't bring myself to criticise parents who send their children to private school, even if it makes them hypocrites. I don't think you can expect parents to do anything less than what they think is best for their child.

I think it is a bit different and crosses a line if they are actually making themselves/their child exempt to the law, or are actively disadvantaging others to promote their child.

I'm not bothered by others going to private schools, but I do find hypocrisy a bit annoying. E.g. Champagne socialist Nick Clegg's decision to send his child to a private school whilst at the same time harshly criticising them. The double standards is what annoys me.

Well I'm sure they would send their children to a free school if they didn't think it would hinder their chances in life. They are parents, as well as politicians, and one can only expect they want the best for their child and if that means having to pay for a worthwhile education then I'm not surprised they do.

Just because they are against it doesn't get rid of the fact that they are the better option which most don't have access to.

But they may reject the claim that state schools are something to be ashamed of, then do the opposite. State schools really aren't that bad.

but can't you see how silly that sounds though?
their party is about equality etc but yet they're contributing to what they're fighting against, albeit in a small way. they have the choice not to and by sending their kids to private schools, they're just being hypocrites. i know it may be the best for their children's education, but if that's the case, then they shouldn't campaign against things like it.

No, I am sorry I don't agree, they are campaigning for those who don't have the luxury of a better education due to financial barriers. These politicians don't suffer from the financial barriers, therefore are able to use the service.

Yes it is best for all children to go to a private school, but lets face it, not everyone (most) can't afford to.

Although, me personally, I am not against private schools, I just wish they would sort out the state schools so that anyone who can't afford a place at a private school will still be in with a good chance of moving up the social ladder through their intelligence and hard work.

I don't even think there are any private schools here in Northern Ireland, most just use the grammar school method, which I believe to be a more fair approach, socially.

Hate to mutter these words (it really does kill me to say it) but, we must work from the bottom up, not lower standards at the top.

Nick Clegg doesn't call himself a socialist. Most of the Lib Dem cabinet, including the man in question, were contributors to "The Orange Book" which stressed the role of choice, competition, globalisation and privatisation.

This book was written in 2004 but for some reason most young voters had this idea that they were socialists and wouldn't promote capitalism when they have been open about doing completely the opposite!

I'm saying this from a privileged position as I went to a lovely state school, but some state schools really are that bad. Not just necessarily for education (they can be really bad in that respect), but there is also the aspect of culture/crime/bullying.

I don't think sending your child to a private school necessarily means you are "ashamed" of state schools - of course they aren't shameful. Rather you may feel it is the only good option (or least the best option) for your child.

I think it would take an extremely principled person to keep their child in a terrible state school because other parents "don't have the choice". People are willing to make sacrifices on principle for themselves, but not for their children.

If you asked parents a question like "what would you do if your child absolutely needed it" you will get some very scary answers. My mum has said she'd be willing to straight up murder another innocent person Doesn't mean she supports murder - of course it is hypocritical but that's what people are like.

I guess I agree with you a bit more that the hypocrisy is sort of unacceptable if there are perfectly nice/suitable state schools around. That seems more like snobbishness against state schools.

It's a bit like MPs demanding pay rises, despite claims for government cuts and austerity, whilst there are measures like the bedroom tax.

So it's one rule for them and another for everyone else.

No, I am sorry I don't agree, they are campaigning for those who don't have the luxury of a better education due to financial barriers. These politicians don't suffer from the financial barriers, therefore are able to use the service.

Yes it is best for all children to go to a private school, but lets face it, not everyone (most) can't afford to.

Although, me personally, I am not against private schools, I just wish they would sort out the state schools so that anyone who can't afford a place at a private school will still be in with a good chance of moving up the social ladder through their intelligence and hard work.

I don't even think there are any private schools here in Northern Ireland, most just use the grammar school method, which I believe to be a more fair approach, socially.

Hate to mutter these words (it really does kill me to say it) but, we must work from the bottom up, not lower standards at the top.

It isn't though.

MPs (as a body) are not demanding any pay rises, it was a recommendation by the Independent parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), and IPSA have been deciding the matters that relate to MP's pay and expenses independently of MPs' wishes for a good few years now, and certainly from before the last General Election.

I seem to recall the leaders of the parties saying that they don't think there should be any pay rises...

There's bound to be the aspects of culture/crime/bullying you mentioned anywhere, even in private schools, but it takes place more in schools in less affluent areas. It shouldn't happen and those problems can be controlled by the individuals committing the offences, by simply not doing them.

Why would you need to send your child to a private school, unless the state school nearby wasn't that good? Of course I appreciate personal choice for parents, but if it's coming from a politician condemning elements of inequality, why wouldn't they practice what they preach and send their children to the state school?

I don't think a child would ever 'absolutely need' to go to a private school, or do you mean more generally?

I just think that some politicians who lean to the left love talking about taxes to fix societal problems, but because they're policy makers, seem to operate the principles in reverse.

Sending your children to a certain school is a personal choice, so I don't care if a person who happens to be left wing sends their child to an independent school.

Does anyone else see the hypocrisy in left leaning people sending their children to private schools, despite complaining about inequality and thereby individually contributing to what they perceive?

It's something I struggle to come to terms with because as I said, schooling is a parental choice to make, but I don't like hypocrites who claim to act in the public interest, then almost do the opposite.

Is acting hypocritically justifiable for your children's sake, or should anything they say be taken seriously?