By Tom Geoghegan BBC News Magazine The row over ex-Education Secretary Ruth Kelly sending one of her children to a private school has reopened a debate which has dogged Labour supporters for years - whether to put your principles or your child's education first.
By Tom Geoghegan BBC News Magazine The row over ex-Education Secretary Ruth Kelly sending one of her children to a private school has reopened a debate which has dogged Labour supporters for years - whether to put your principles or your child's education first.
"The liberal middle classes patronise comprehensives in words but not with their presence," said the former Conservative education minister George Walden.
"The liberal middle classes patronise comprehensives in words but not with their presence," said the former Conservative education minister George Walden.
Nearly 20 years later, one of his successors, Ruth Kelly, has been criticised for sending one of her four children to a private school.
Nearly 20 years later, one of his successors, Ruth Kelly, has been criticised for sending one of her four children to a private school.
Labour is not committed to closing the private sector, but the party's fundamental belief in state education makes sections of its support very uncomfortable when senior MPs choose to buy education for their own children.
Labour is not committed to closing the private sector, but the party's fundamental belief in state education makes sections of its support very uncomfortable when senior MPs choose to buy education for their own children.
Mrs Kelly's son has special needs, which has curbed the level of outcry and drawn her support from colleagues, although critics indicate that party policy is to educate such children in mainstream schools where possible.
Mrs Kelly's son has special needs, which has curbed the level of outcry and drawn her support from colleagues, although critics indicate that party policy is to educate such children in mainstream schools where possible.
All your beliefs and ethics that you've held dear throughout your life go out the window when your children are involved Vince, parent
All your beliefs and ethics that you've held dear throughout your life go out the window when your children are involved Vince, parent
Three years ago, the criticism of MP Diane Abbott was more vocal because her decision, which she described as "indefensible", was simply private over state. And the level of condemnation showed what a taboo subject it has remained within the party.
Three years ago, the criticism of MP Diane Abbott was more vocal because her decision, which she described as "indefensible", was simply private over state. And the level of condemnation showed what a taboo subject it has remained within the party.
But whatever the rights and wrongs of the Kelly case and its unique circumstances, the story has highlighted the way middle-class parents, especially Labour supporters, sometimes agonise between backing their own belief in equality of education provision and investing in their own child's future.
But whatever the rights and wrongs of the Kelly case and its unique circumstances, the story has highlighted the way middle-class parents, especially Labour supporters, sometimes agonise between backing their own belief in equality of education provision and investing in their own child's future.
As well as being an issue of conscience, there may also be an element of inverted snobbery fostering some resistance to private schools.
As well as being an issue of conscience, there may also be an element of inverted snobbery fostering some resistance to private schools.
Vince, a lifelong Labour voter, said bullying and poor teaching forced him to switch his children from state to private six years ago.
Vince, a lifelong Labour voter, said bullying and poor teaching forced him to switch his children from state to private six years ago.
Kelly drew some negative headlines
Kelly drew some negative headlines
He tried the local schools in south-east London, then other comprehensives in Kent and Sussex, but with the same dissatisfaction.
He tried the local schools in south-east London, then other comprehensives in Kent and Sussex, but with the same dissatisfaction.
"I'm from a working class background in south-east London and used to call the Dulwich College kids 'posh poofs' when I was growing up," says Vince, 45, who asked if his surname was not printed.
"I'm from a working class background in south-east London and used to call the Dulwich College kids 'posh poofs' when I was growing up," says Vince, 45, who asked if his surname was not printed.
"But when you realise what the state schools are like, you can't blame Ruth Kelly.
"But when you realise what the state schools are like, you can't blame Ruth Kelly.
"All your beliefs and ethics that you've held dear throughout your life go out the window when your children are involved. In the end it wasn't a hard decision to make."
"All your beliefs and ethics that you've held dear throughout your life go out the window when your children are involved. In the end it wasn't a hard decision to make."
'True Labour'
'True Labour'
His three children, who are now all in their teens, had private secondary educations in Berkshire and Vince says the success they have enjoyed has displaced any guilt.
His three children, who are now all in their teens, had private secondary educations in Berkshire and Vince says the success they have enjoyed has displaced any guilt.
"I think you can still be a true Labour supporter and send your children to private school. Look at the MPs. They are the biggest hypocrites."
"I think you can still be a true Labour supporter and send your children to private school. Look at the MPs. They are the biggest hypocrites."
My party's beliefs or my child? Or both?
My party's beliefs or my child? Or both?
Of course, many parents believe a state school education is the best and most enriching one, so you can respect both your principles and your children at the same time.
Of course, many parents believe a state school education is the best and most enriching one, so you can respect both your principles and your children at the same time.
Fiona Millar, a former adviser to Cherie Blair who is also a governor at a school in north London, believes the benefits of a good state education are vastly underestimated.
Fiona Millar, a former adviser to Cherie Blair who is also a governor at a school in north London, believes the benefits of a good state education are vastly underestimated. And the actions of Labour ministers like Mrs Kelly send a bad signal.
But the "choice" of private, selective and faith schools which some parents have access to has damaged the state system.
But the "choice" of private, selective and faith schools which some parents have access to has also damaged the state system.
"Once you take all these kinds of routes out of the equation, you are left with the state system without the motivated children and the articulate parents," she says.
"Once you take all these kinds of routes out of the equation, you are left with the state system without the motivated children and the articulate parents," she says.
"You need the mix. If there are some kids who believe it's cool to learn, that can have an impact on the children."
"You need the mix. If there are some kids who believe it's cool to learn, that can have an impact on the children."
Parents who move their children out of state provision are not only damaging it but they are acting mistakenly because well-supported, academically-able children do just as well in state schools, she says.
Parents who move their children out of state provision are not only damaging it but they are acting mistakenly because well-supported, academically-able children do just as well in state schools, she says.
Sending your child to a school you would abolish is not necessarily hypocritical Dr Adam SwiftPolitical philosopher
Sending your child to a school you would abolish is not necessarily hypocritical Dr Adam SwiftPolitical philosopher
But it may not be so simple as to condemn parents that switch, says political philosopher Dr Adam Swift. He believes parents who believe in the state sector could use the private sector while wishing they did not have to.
But it may not be so simple as to condemn parents that switch, says political philosopher Dr Adam Swift. He believes parents who believe in the state sector could use the private sector while wishing they did not have to.
The hypocrites, Dr Swift says, are those who say it is always bad to buy an education but buy their child one anyway.
The hypocrites, Dr Swift says, are those who say it is always bad to buy an education but buy their child one anyway.
But the real issue, he believes, is whether parents who go private believe they would vote in favour of a system that permitted them not to do so.
But the real issue, he believes, is whether parents who go private believe they would vote in favour of a system that permitted them not to do so.
"Sending your child to a school you would abolish is not necessarily hypocritical," he says.
"Sending your child to a school you would abolish is not necessarily hypocritical," he says.
But that does not mean they should not feel bad about their privilege, and they should try and impose change from without.
But that does not mean they should not feel bad about their privilege, and they should try and impose change from without.
"Those benefiting from the existing unfairness should do more, not less, than others to bring that improvement about," he adds.
"Those benefiting from the existing unfairness should do more, not less, than others to bring that improvement about," he adds.
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