The School Environment That Normalised Racism
Fresh allegations of racism and antisemitism against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage during his time as a teenager at Dulwich College have emerged, painting a disturbing picture of 1970s British public school culture. According to multiple former pupils who attended similar institutions during that era, such behaviour was not only common but often condoned by school authorities.
First-Hand Accounts from Former Pupils
One former public school student, who attended a boys' school similar to Dulwich College at the same time as Farage, described racist behaviour as completely normalised. As a combined cadet force participant, he witnessed regular antisemitic incidents, despite being the child of a refugee from the Nazis. He admits to sometimes joining in with the antisemitism, something he now deeply regrets.
The former pupil highlights how teachers at the time frequently dismissed Farage's behaviour as mere "high spirits" or "naughtiness" rather than addressing its racist nature. He argues that private schools designed to train young Englishmen for empire-building remained deeply racist institutions even into the 1980s.
His school maintained a quota system limiting Jewish pupil numbers, while his German teacher routinely humiliated the only Muslim student in his class publicly. He emphasises that Farage was products of an environment that not only tolerated blatant racism but equipped pupils with the confidence and charm to make others feel inferior while still admiring them.
Widespread Racist Culture Across Institutions
Another former student from one of Britain's top public schools during the same period confirms this culture was widespread. He recalls constant racism directed at Jewish, Indian, Pakistani, and African origin students, who faced daily abuse including antisemitic slurs and the N-word.
The political climate within these schools reflected concerning trends. During a mock school election in 1979 when Margaret Thatcher became prime minister, the National Front emerged victorious. Controversial figures including Patrick Moore and Enoch Powell received warm welcomes and applause for their inflammatory speeches when they visited the school.
These accounts suggest that understanding Farage's alleged behaviour requires examining the institutional context that shaped him and many others from similar backgrounds. While schools may claim they have changed, critics argue the damage was done to generations educated in environments that reinforced superiority and normalized discrimination.
