A Public School Prime Minister ... at last !

[joggerjayne]

Thank goodness we have an Etonian back in No.10.

Public schoolboys are taught how to lead, and how to be leaders.

At "normal" schools, they are afraid of appearing "elitist" and so they are taught "how to be equal" ...

... what earthly use is that ???

PMs should not "empathise" with us, or "relate to" us ... they should LEAD us !!

Remember ... Tony Blair was educated at Fettes College ... the Scottish equivalent of Eton.

I think a public school education should be a pre-requisite of standing for Prime Minister.

[joggerjayne]

Okay ... I'll give you that one.

I won't harp on about his adherence to entirely discredited Keynesian policies.

(especially when your previous example was a devout Friedman/Smith follower).

[joggerjayne]

Univercity of life and the school of hard Knocks ?

As a grounding for the office of Prime Minister ?

I'd never really considered that option.

[mike11111]

We have already experienced a graduate of the University of Life and the School of Hard Knocks in a senior role in government, viz Mr John Prescott. Enough said.

[joggerjayne]

tony ...

Tony Blair ended his career smelling of roses ... despite totally screwing up the nation, and allowing his Chancellor to bankrupt the economy.

Was this due to his public school charisma?

nb. He probably smell even more of roses now. After earning £20m since leaving office, he probably bathes in a bath of rose petals every night.

[joggerjayne]

Tony is right ...

Clement Atlee was at Haileybury ... an expensive private school in Hertfordshire.

(I just Googled him)

[sandyRoe]

'Sunny Jim' Callaghan might fit the bill. Served as an enlisted man during the war. Not, perhaps, a great PM but nor was he a public school pupil. He could be seen as a graduate from the school of hard knocks.

[joggerjayne]

Okay, okay ... maybe best not to go through each PM one by one, huh ?

I'll agree that Jim Callaghan was a nice chap, and a gentleman.

[stonekicker]

pm's are bound to be from elitist schools - the govt is all made up of the old boys/girls club. most similar places are: banking, universities etc. plus, having a good education and all the successes that come with money tend to make such people more likely to succeed in life - it's what they are expected to do. and before anyone gripes, look at the exam results of public schools vs. state schools. they are usually much higher as the money raised by fees buy the best teachers, equipment, resources, experiences etc., so rich kids essentially do better that their poorer counterparts. sad...but true. bugger - wasn't built with a silver spoon in my mouth...x

[Sqad]

JJ...;-)