Cynical, opportunistic Labour shown the door in Crewe and Nantwich
Last week, the constituents of Crewe and Nantwich launched a new era in British politics. For sure, it was a wonderful victory for us and a damning indictment of Labour and Gordon Brown, but I believe that the scale of the Conservative majority was achieved by the positivity and constructiveness of our message, both as a Party and in the personal campaign of Edward Timpson.
Amidst a barrage of negative campaigning, he kept his dignity and allowed the voters to cast their own verdict on Labour's inverted snobbery and dirty tricks. What a shaming exposure in The Mail on Sunday for the young Labour activist posing as a "Toff" to mock Edward, despite having enjoyed a private school education himself. Asked to comment, his former Principal, Dr Martin Stephen, produced one of the best quotes I have heard in ages: "In my opinion everybody should be a toff, because everyone in the country should have the benefit of a decent education.”
I could not agree more. I went to a state school. I support aspiration and opportunity for everyone. I would no more consider denigrating someone for having, by birth, had the opportunity to attend a good private school than I would criticise someone for having been forced, through different circumstances, to attend the worst of comprehensives. That sort of discrimination is a cheap distraction from the need (and our desire) to provide every person, regardless of social background or political affiliation, with the requisite tools for success.
The voters in Crewe and Nantwich have made it very clear that the days when such nonsense would allow politicians to skirt the real issues are over. I am delighted.
