In a startling revelation that exposes the double standards within political circles, former Labour Deputy Leader Tom Watson has confessed he stopped sending his own children to state schools after witnessing the "staggering hypocrisy" of his parliamentary colleagues.
The ex-MP, who served as deputy to Jeremy Corbyn, admitted he could no longer bear the contradiction between politicians' public statements supporting comprehensive education and their private decisions to enrol their children in selective or private institutions.
The Westminster Education Divide
Watson described how he became increasingly uncomfortable with the disconnect between what politicians preached and practiced when it came to their children's schooling. "I saw the most incredible hypocrisy among my parliamentary colleagues," he revealed, highlighting how many would passionately defend state education in public while making entirely different choices for their own families.
This political doublespeak eventually led Watson to reconsider his own position, despite his long-standing commitment to state education principles.
A Personal and Political Dilemma
The former Labour heavyweight explained that his decision wasn't taken lightly. Like any parent, he faced the difficult balance between political ideals and what he believed was best for his children's future.
"When you're in that position yourself as a parent, you realise the enormous privilege you have of being able to choose," Watson stated, acknowledging the advantage his position afforded him compared to most families.
The Broader Implications for Education Policy
Watson's confession raises important questions about the credibility of education policymakers who don't experience the system they're responsible for shaping. His experience suggests that many in Westminster operate with a "do as I say, not as I do" approach to schooling.
This revelation comes at a time when education policy remains one of the most contentious issues in British politics, with ongoing debates about funding, standards, and equality of opportunity.
The former deputy leader's candour provides rare insight into the personal conflicts that can arise when political principles collide with parental responsibilities at the highest levels of government.
