RickInOz

The recent revelations regarding Ruth Kelly’s decision to send her child to a private school speak volumes. It is a pretty poor inditement if a former education secretary is not prepared to stand up for the service she once represented. Although it makes little difference in the grand scheme of things the Labour Party always considered it a basic principle that their children should be educated in the state sector.

Originally it was to show support for the system that educated the masses and separate them from the elitist Tories. Given the dramatic change in political standpoint engineered by his Toniness this is not surprising. However the maxim is still relevant and this act shows her lack of confidence in the education system she was once responsible for.

She is already quoting her son’s “substantial learning difficulties”, but that should not be a valid reason. The state ought to make provision for children who require additional input. What option exists for the average parent who doesn’t have access to Kelly’s income.

This is just the last in a long line of broken promises and sacrificed ideals from the incumbent adminstration. In 1997 many of my fellow students voted Labour since part of the manifesto stated “we will not introduce tuition fees for university students”. Within a year of gaining power they broke this pledge. Then at the 2001 election, the new manifesto said ” there will be no increase in tuition fees”. Again within a year this was discarded as universities were given carte blanche to decide on their own fees structure.

I haven’t even begun to mention the whole WMD debacle. Blair made a big deal about the 45 minute warning, and used that to convince Parliament of the justification for action against Saddam. Since then this has been undoubtedly refuted and yet Blair’s position is intact. No wonder he is called Teflon Tony.

These are just a few examples of the constant barrage of fabrication, spin and propaganda that is force-fed to the British public. Politicians have only themselves to blame for the apathy sweeping the country. It is no surprise that more young people vote for reality shows than vote in political elections. To make things worse next year Gordon Brown will probably be gifted the leadership rather than going through a democratic contest.

And they wonder why we don’t trust politicians - bit of a no brainer isn’t it!