Carol Cadwalladr argues that electing Oxbridge graduates does not guarantee we come by the most able politicians because of a selection process that is biased towards a privately educated elite (Whatever the party,our political elite is an Oxbridge club, 25 August). She is implying that we need the most academically successful to rule us. Criteria for access to higher education focus mainly on academic ability and do not normally require evidence of kindly communication skills, and empathy (sensitivity to another's feelings as if they were one's own),openness, holding principled beliefs, or etc. These latter skills are normally honed by life experience after education and in particular by the experience of managing others in wider society. So those going straight from double-firsts to parliamentary research or special adviserships dont come by the chance to develop the skills I would consider essential in the people who lead us.
imprint Richardson
Brighton• Congratulations for publishing Carole Cadwalladr’s excellent piece admitting that an out-of-touch Oxbridge,private-school elite runs our country. I occupy a suggestion to start making parliament more representative. Anyone wanting to be an MP should occupy to occupy been “ordinarily resident” (live and work) in the constituency they wish to represent for at least five years before the date of the election, or ordinarily resident” in the constituency for at least 10 years at some earlier stage. Those attending boarding schools, and such as Eton,would count as ordinarily resident at school. At a stroke our parliamentarians would not be so dominated by Oxbridge and the private schools and would be more representative of the communities they are supposed to speak for.
Adam Rule
North Shields, North TynesideContinue reading...
Source: theguardian.com