General Chat

Hypocrisy!!!! the labour party was supposed to be for the working class!! Ruth Kelly messed up the education system when she was the minister for it, closing special needs schools etc, but now cos she can afford it chooses to send her child private!!! i think it's disgusting , the parents of special needs children do not have the same choice!! Helen

Any more?

I can't criticise her. We have an excellent special needs school where I live that my son attends but if we didn't and I could afford it I would send my son to a private school even if I was a Labour MP. My sons education would come first before anything else.

We all do what we can for our children if we are caring parents. There will always be some who can do more than others but at the end of the day it is love that wins whether you are rich or poor Janet

I thought this was a free country! and why should'nt she try and do the best for her child! Norah

I think people are getting the wrong idea here!! Shes A labour minister!! Labour,Labour,Labour!!! arnt labour surpose to be against the private sector!!?? I have No problem with anyone sending their child for private education,infact im for it,but this is extremely hypocritical from one who promotes state education,if shes changed her politics then fine,she should go over to the other side,with my blessing;-))

I am working class and I am sure infact I know my parents did their best for my me.. But if I had the money or ( would of had ) the money to send my children for a better education I would of done. I have always tried and aimed that my children would have better and more chances in life than I had. As I'm sure thats what my parents wanted for me.

Roxanne, I think you are getting New Labour mixed up with the Socialist Labour party of the old days. This party bears no resemblance to it,and never has done.

oh come on ! Labour haven't been 'against the private sector' for a long time, otherwise they would have renationalised the rail service etc, and they wouldn't be involving private companies in health care. The labour party are now just a watered down conservative part - hasn't that been blindingly obvious over the last 8 years or so ?

Labour aren't supposed to be 'against the private sector' no matter what. If that were the case they'd be nearer communism politically. The fact is, a capitalist society needs both public and private services and it's good that the politicians avail themselves of both, no matter their political colour. It's right to do what's best for each individual child, and that can be any of the available options. I have known people to send their children to a state school, even though they could afford a private education, because they believed the state school to be the best in their area. It's all a matter of choice and there's no point castigating someone because they make that choice, politician or otherwise.

She also managed to have all four children after 1997 whilst serving as an MP. That should rate an entry in the Guiness Book of Records.

Just to add - the State system can't be all things to all people, any more than the private sector can be. Specialist requirements need specialist solutions and education is just the same. I taught in both the public and private sector and frankly don't think much is better anywhere abroad. I'd be moving away from here to keep my children out of the USA system if I was making that choice just now.

So whats the point in having new labour,when we have the old conservatives! No difference is there??

If all politicians really were working for 'the good of the people' to everyone's satisfaction, there would only be the need for the equivalent of a benevolent dictatorship - ie one person running the show. Fat chance of that happening, and unlikely that as a society we'd want it, so all the complaining, back-biting, criticism and so on is a bit pointless. Even politicians are human beings, living their lives as best they can and flawed like the reast of us. To expect them to be anything special is unreasonable.

I said the other day that any parent would do the best for there child, and what should be taken into account is her husbands veiws as well he maybe the one paying the fee's or at least contributing to them, and that would only be a benefit to state benefit a bit extra in the pot, Also just cos your paid to do a job does not mean you should feel it ness to promote or implement such in your own private life, i dont think its that hard for a Mother to judge who comes first, it should be your child we all know that and thats what shes done, if i had to choose i know which one whould be my choice, Lilxx

Has she violated something in her contract of employment, Brian?

Well,I still think shes hypocritical! If your a politician you have to expect to be judged on your choices,if they dont like it then Im afraid they should not be in politics! The point is felicity that this women was education minister,she was the one saying how wondeful our state schools are,how they are improving! why then has she not practiced her so very strong beliefs!lol its a joke! Im so glad I dont vote,theres not one party I would vote for,they all lie to suit themselves!

The education system could be wonderful and still not be able to meet every child's needs. Judged on their choices? - of course, Roxanne, but my point was that every single politician is going to upset more than a few of the population. That's the way it is and they can't please everyone. Let's be realistic here - the more political parties there are the more people will not have voted for the one in power and the more people who will potentially dissatisfied with political decisions. (Given that anyone bothers to vote at all and there is an argument to say that non-voters have no grounds for complaint.) Not that I'm necessarily in favour of a one-party state but just looking at the issue from more than one point of view.

True Felicity! You cant please everyone,I dont live in the U.K ,but my family do. I havent voted for a long time(in the U.K) and to be honest if I ever went back I would be stuck to pick a party that I felt would achieve anything,Oh well thats life!lol

Yep! Certainly is! :-) or :-( depending on one's perspective.