Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has launched a fresh attack on Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, accusing her of being a "disgrace to people who grew up on a council estate" and blaming her VAT policy on private school fees for widespread disruption. Speaking at a Politics UK event on Monday evening, Badenoch criticised Phillipson's record, citing 40,000 displaced pupils and a shortfall in promised teacher numbers.
Badenoch's Accusations
Badenoch stated: "Look at Bridget Phillipson, for example, there are 40,000 pupils who have been displaced because of her policies." She claimed Phillipson had promised 6,000 new teachers but instead saw a reduction of 2,000, calling it "failure" and "incompetence." The Tory leader also accused Phillipson of ruining lives and jobs, including at heritage schools and academies.
Badenoch directly targeted Phillipson's background: "She grew up on a council estate. She's a disgrace to people who grew up on a council estate. That is not an excuse for failure. Brilliant people grew up on council estates and have done a lot better than her." She added that Phillipson should "feel bad" about her performance.
Parliamentary Clash
The comments follow a heated exchange in Parliament last week, where Badenoch told Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer that Phillipson "taxed private schools to pay for more teachers but the number of teachers has gone down." She called the Education Secretary a "spiteful class warrior" and suggested Starmer was "let down by her incompetence." Sources confirmed the two politicians later exchanged hostile words in the division lobby.
Previous Controversy
In a Spectator interview last month, Badenoch compared Phillipson's VAT policy to the actions of a "Gestapo officer," referencing Nazi Germany's secret police. Phillipson responded on LBC, calling Badenoch "perpetually angry" and "getting worse every week." She said: "If I was going to say something, it would probably be pretty foul-mouthed, so it's best to rise above it."
A Labour source defended Phillipson: "When you're living rent free in the Tories' heads you know you're doing something right. Every vicious remark by Kemi Badenoch alienates her further from the public who despise this sort of performative nastiness." The source added that Badenoch offers "nothing except the same division and grievance peddled by Nigel Farage," while Phillipson offers "hope and opportunity for the 93% of children in our state schools."
Impact of VAT Policy
Badenoch has repeatedly claimed that the imposition of VAT on private school fees led to 40,000 pupils being displaced due to school closures or parents unable to afford fees. She also highlighted a failure to deliver the 6,500 extra teachers promised in Labour's manifesto, noting there are now 2,000 fewer teachers than when Labour took power.
Bridget Phillipson has been contacted for comment but has not yet responded.
