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[Martin_1962]

One education problem is that in the past Labour virtually destroyed the grammar system

[Dishevelled Den]

if i can stick up for Optimist here - on previous posts i've been shot down for suggesting that DC surrounds himself with Old Etonians, now, lets leave aside class issues, wealth issues, the priviledged, pampered and sheltered existence i believe anyone from Eton has experienced - leave that to one side OK.
What grates is that 14 members from one school? i dont care if its an inner city comprehensive or its Eton - it shows a shocking lack of diversity on DC's part, is he unable to trust someone not of his ilk? Shows a real lack of judgement if you ask me, its deeply unrepresentative of the UK, maybe it'll be his downfall - DC has always struck me as a political coward, by surrounding himself in a nice, cosy Old Etonian blanket it looks like he's afraid to tackle any real issues or have anyone outside his narrow worldview to disagree with him.
Thats what it looks like to me anyway 

...surely the problem rests with DC and not with the educational establishment in that case bj?

I'll say again that I'm far from convinced in the potential of the Tory front bench to form a cohesive, meaningful administration but in my view, that's down to a lack of political ability rather than how and where the individuals hoping to form such an administration were educated.

There seems to be an antipathy towards the great institutions of this nation, perhaps that's why we're in the mess we presently find ourselves.  Leaderless, careless, concerned solely for one’s self rather than the nation and our fellow citizens, prepared to accept second best because it’s easier to digest having been served up in bite sized pieces by a supine media.

Much has been said in other threads about balance and understanding, but where matters of establishment and convention are concerned it seems that what is not understood is considered to be anachronistic and ill placed to have any form of relevance in today’s world - a world, I may add, that seems to have accepted the dilution of basic manners and respect for anything outside the narrow prejudicial perspective of those who have embraced such traits.

I would add these comments are made in general terms and not levelled at anyone in particular.

[Nickbat]

if i can stick up for Optimist here - on previous posts i've been shot down for suggesting that DC surrounds himself with Old Etonians, now, lets leave aside class issues, wealth issues, the priviledged, pampered and sheltered existence i believe anyone from Eton has experienced - leave that to one side OK.
What grates is that 14 members from one school? i dont care if its an inner city comprehensive or its Eton - it shows a shocking lack of diversity on DC's part, is he unable to trust someone not of his ilk? Shows a real lack of judgement if you ask me, its deeply unrepresentative of the UK, maybe it'll be his downfall - DC has always struck me as a political coward, by surrounding himself in a nice, cosy Old Etonian blanket it looks like he's afraid to tackle any real issues or have anyone outside his narrow worldview to disagree with him.
Thats what it looks like to me anyway 

Yes, BJ, that's a very valid point. I took issue with Optimist banging on about the Etonian education bit, but I fully agree that it is unhealthy to have so many individuals with that common background. It smacks of a club, almost like a secret society....

And for what it's worth, I'd find it difficult to vote for DC were there to be an election tomorrow. I need to be convinced in the same way that I'm convinced that Labour should be ousted from office...for a long time. 

[Martin_1962]

if i can stick up for Optimist here - on previous posts i've been shot down for suggesting that DC surrounds himself with Old Etonians, now, lets leave aside class issues, wealth issues, the priviledged, pampered and sheltered existence i believe anyone from Eton has experienced - leave that to one side OK.
What grates is that 14 members from one school? i dont care if its an inner city comprehensive or its Eton - it shows a shocking lack of diversity on DC's part, is he unable to trust someone not of his ilk? Shows a real lack of judgement if you ask me, its deeply unrepresentative of the UK, maybe it'll be his downfall - DC has always struck me as a political coward, by surrounding himself in a nice, cosy Old Etonian blanket it looks like he's afraid to tackle any real issues or have anyone outside his narrow worldview to disagree with him.
Thats what it looks like to me anyway 

Yes, BJ, that's a very valid point. I took issue with Optimist banging on about the Etonian education bit, but I fully agree that it is unhealthy to have so many individuals with that common background. It smacks of a club, almost like a secret society....

And for what it's worth, I'd find it difficult to vote for DC were there to be an election tomorrow. I need to be convinced in the same way that I'm convinced that Labour should be ousted from office...for a long time. 

What realistic choice do we have though?

Seems like a decent bloke, but how will he manage as leader?

I also think Osborn is not best choice for Chancellor - I think they should get the shadow business one onto that job

[cem_devecioglu]

So New Labour may well be finished...................but consider this.
Apparently..................fourteen of David Camerons front bench spokesmen............are Old Etonians.....and another three work in his private office.
some of these inept.....incompetent.......pompous.....inbred....Tory buffoons......date back as far as the Thatcher era. :-/ :-/ :-/
Now I'am not a big fan of New Labour..(they have flattered to deceive)...............but I fail to see how a gathering of "sore bottomed" public school boys. ...could be of any help to the average man in the street......................Unless they are wealthy ......of course.

This is an interesting....if lengthy read

ftp://http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/david-camerons-band-of-etonian-brothers-449043.html

Opti, whilst I find your comments in general to considered, balanced and entertaining, I'm afraid that the above seems rather too judgemental in the absence of definitive evidence.

These comments are quite generalised and unfortunately appear to be based on the prejudice of a system you’re not quite comfortable with.

The Public school system, inter alia, is an essential element of this nation’s establishment, an element that has helped us to maintain our national identity through the generations and many challenging times. To decry the individuals who have been fortunate enough to have attended such establishments as ‘sore bottomed inbreeds’ is crass to say the least.

This nation needs an establishment to balance the shortcomings and cyclical nature of the political system.  Public schools, the Great universities, the Security Services, the Senior Civil Service – at least at one time – along with other groups provide this continuity.  I, as part of this establishment, consider my contribution along with that of many others, to have been worthwhile and necessary to maintain who we are as a people, free and intelligent enough to decide whether or nor we are being manipulated by a soulless and incestuous political class.

In closing I can assure you that I’m not inbred nor is my bottom experiencing any level of discomfort whatever.

 

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

The reason I mentioned the Eton connection..........is this..........My understanding is that there would be more "Old Etonians".............in a David Cameron Conservative government than at any time since the Tory administration of ADH.....in the early sixties.
As BJ rightly pointed out ...........it is not good to have a monopoly of any kind of people in government .......we need diversity........such as we have in ordinary people.

[Dishevelled Den]

The reason I mentioned the Eton connection..........is this..........My understanding is that there would be more "Old Etonians".............in a David Cameron Conservative government than at any time since the Tory administration of ADH.....in the early sixties.
As BJ rightly pointed out ...........it is not good to have a monopoly of any kind of people in government .......we need diversity........such as we have in ordinary people.

I can agree with that.

[Nickbat]

The reason I mentioned the Eton connection..........is this..........My understanding is that there would be more "Old Etonians".............in a David Cameron Conservative government than at any time since the Tory administration of ADH.....in the early sixties.
As BJ rightly pointed out ...........it is not good to have a monopoly of any kind of people in government .......we need diversity........such as we have in ordinary people.

I can agree with that.

Me, too. 

[Pitchfork]

I enjoyed my time at Eaton!