John McDonnell - fee paying scholar to Marxist

If it was so straightforward why the subterfuge?

The UK spokesman for the De La Salle order, which operated the school until 1995, told the Mail: ‘St Joseph’s was an ordinary private boarding school. It was in the business of educating boys, not training them to be priests.’

Bill Moss, 88, was head of English at St Joseph’s throughout the time McDonnell was there. He, too, was puzzled by the suggestion any boy was receiving training for the priesthood at the school.

‘He (McDonnell) would have received a standard education like everyone else,’ said Mr Moss. ‘I never heard of any other kind of course. It was a Catholic school, but there was no religious training as such.’

There’s no subterfuge. That article explains how and why it was paid for and by whom.

If only the financial affairs of all politicians were so transparent.

I went to a private school, but my parents didn't pay a penny for it. I sat the 11+ and was just sent there. I hated it, but didn't have any choice.

McDonnell was born in 1951. Local authority and church grants were quite common in the 1960s. I know of a number of Catholic boys who were sent off to Catholic schools paid for by the church.

The school McDonnell went to for two years wasn't/isn't a public school or posh. The only reason I'd even vaguely heard of it was because it had a reputation for physical and sexual abuse, which I hope McDonnell escaped.

I think I'll leave the green-eyed monsters to it!

St Joseph's was a second/third rate school.

I don’t think that many people are getting their knickers in a twist about this. There’s bigger fish to fry - Johnson refusing to be scrutinised on climate change etc- sending his Dad in his place - far more important.

If only we’d all been educated at a minor private school - then perhaps we’d have been able to spell Pinocchio and Mr Johnson Snr would be a happy man.

Does it really matter where he went to school, what it cost etc, etc? Why concentrate on the minutiae when the whole of politics is such a mess at the moment? This thread seems rather vindictive to me.

I think it is nonsense. You said it yourself, children are not responsible for the choices their parents make.

If you are born privileged, with all that comes with it- you can either say I will continue to make sure I remain rich and privileged.- or I will use the excellent education I got to tra and do my bit towards a fairer society. Think of Tony Benn too.

Good post Jura

It's all fine, I don't care where he was educated but

Why they to hide it? Is there something he is ashamed of?

I thought he was from Manchester, not Liverpool. btw, listening to the accent

Try not they

this thread probably proves why...

I would have more respect for him, jura and momb if he said that he had a private education which helped him on his way in life and that he wants the same opportunities for all children.

And why pretend to come from the North when he does not?

If he is dishonest about his past where else will he be dishonest?

Jeremy has never tried to hide his privileged past, has he jura?

He was born in Liverpool and his family moved to Wast Anglia when he was a boy.

Perhaps, like many of us, he believes that good state education for all should be what we should aspire to? We can speculate but ultimately only he knows why.

In terms of dishonesty though, I think the medals for Best Liars go to the other side of the House. Let’s focus on the bigger issues - after all, if we (and the Queen) can’t trust the Govt how can we rely on them to take us forward through one of the most important and challenging periods in recent history.

East Anglia

Um, red herring

I thought this thread was about McDonnell

It's not a thread about who is the biggest liar.
It is questioning why he is hiding his past.

''And why pretend to come from the North when he does not?''

because he does ...even if he moved away at some point. We are not all born bred, educated, worked, died - in the same hole- thank goodness. Oh and some of us can switch accents as we please, quite naturally, depending on context. If his family moved, they are likely to have kept their accent- at least in the home context- quite natural.

some of us can switch accents as we please
Really?
Yes, my DD is an excellent mimic
And could give Rory Bremner a run for his money!!
But in everyday life she speaks normally.

A Northern accent is an asset in some careers.

Yes really - my Kent accent is more pronounced at times, other times I sound more Scottish. If you’ve lived in different parts of the country as a child and an adult I think it’s quite common.

It’s not red herring - this thread is about whether or not he, as a politician, can be trusted. I have rightly pointed out that in the overall scheme of things there are far more important things to focus on. Out of all the things, why pick on this - and why present it as “fee paying scholar’ when he wasn’t?

If I was going to start a thread about untruths I’d get my facts straight before I typed the title.

Calli ''But in everyday life she speaks normally.''

what does 'normally' mean. I always speak 'normally' - but my 'normal' is not the same for different context and people- quite .... yes, normally.

No fault or problem in being sent to a fee paying private school. But to hide the fact for political ends ?

Yet more pious hypocrisy from these Labour leaders. Just shines a spotlight on their lack of principles and judgement.

oh dear, you do repeat yourself - and totally ignore replies. Night.

talk about bee in t'bonnet

Very Northern, jura

I've never heard a Scot sound anything other than Scottish (various according to areas).