Peter Hitchens Accuses Labour of Double Standards

Peter Hitchens, a columnist for the Mail on Sunday, has accused Labour politicians of hypocrisy regarding education. He alleges they are exploiting a “well-hidden privilege” to gain access to top state schools for their own children, despite publicly criticizing private education.

Strategic Housing and State School Access

Hitchens argues that while Labour figures often label those who attend private schools as a ‘sort of pestilence’, many actively seek places for their children in high-performing state schools. This is often achieved through strategic property purchases within specific catchment areas.

A Case Study: North London School

Hitchens highlighted a “Labour power couple” who reportedly spent millions on a property in North London to secure their daughter’s place at a highly sought-after girls’ school. This ultimately led to her acceptance into Oxford University and a successful career, mirroring the outcomes of a private education, but without the associated stigma.

Record State Education Among Labour Cabinet

This observation comes as 92 percent of Keir Starmer’s 2024 Labour cabinet were educated in comprehensive schools – a record for modern British politics. Despite this, Hitchens contends that a new form of privilege is emerging.

Circumventing Comprehensive School Fairness

Hitchens believes middle-class parents are manipulating the state education system, undermining the intended fairness of comprehensive schooling. He criticizes narratives suggesting that discriminating against privately educated applicants benefits those from less privileged backgrounds.

Elite Access to London Schools

He points to several London schools with high standards and selective admissions processes, populated by the children of the left-wing elite. These students frequently attend prestigious universities like Oxford and Cambridge.

Parallels to Soviet-Era Privilege

To illustrate his point about “disguised privilege,” Hitchens recounted his time as a foreign correspondent in Moscow (1990-1992). He described securing a luxurious apartment through connections to the Soviet elite, outwardly presented as standard housing.

Hidden Benefits in the Soviet Union

Hitchens noted advantages like access to vodka rations during shortages, highlighting the contrast between official appearances and the reality of privileged access. He also recalled the Kremlin clinic, symbolizing hidden benefits for those in power.

He draws a parallel between this Soviet experience and the current situation in Britain, arguing that privilege often operates subtly, regardless of political ideology.