The Oxford stranglehold continues
October 26th, 2005-
When are grads of other universities going to get a look in?
The first stop on the David Davis campaign trail was to his old university - Warwick - a move designed to make the point that he was not part of the Tory Oxford “mafia” which has been dominating leadership battles for decades.
A month ago when Cameron seemed out of the race it looked as though the Tory showdown would be between Clarke of Cambridge and Davis. Then I was commenting that “…the one almost sure thing that you can predict about the next General Election is that Oxford University’s stranglehold on UK politics will be broken… For the first time since Stanley Baldwin in 1935 an election looks set to be won by someone who was educated at a University other than Oxford. The only exceptions in the past 70 years, Churchill and Major, were not graduates.”
For it’s not just Tory Oxonians who have dominated - the same has happened with Labour as well. The University has had an amazing run of success starting with Attlee winning in 1945 & 1951; Eden in 1955; Macmillan in 1959; Wilson in 1964, 1966, and twice in 1974; Heath in 1970; Thatcher in 1979, 1983, 1987 and Blair , of course, won in 1997, 2001 and 2005. This comes to 15 out of 17 General Elections since the war.
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Gordon Brown, who showed his enormous interest in Oxford during the Laura Spence affair, might note that you have got to go a very long way back to find a general election when an Oxonian was beaten in a General Election by someone who went to another university.
Whenever, like Hague-Blair in 2001, Oxford leaders have gone down in a General Election it has been to another Oxonian.
Tory leadership battles have also been dominated by the University. The only time when an Oxford contender has been beaten by somebody who wasn’t was in 2001 when Michael Ancram came bottom in the first MP ballot and Ian Duncan Smith (Perugia) went on to victory.
So the emergence of Cameron means that British politics is reverting to type and a big question at the 2009/10 General Election might be whether Gordon Brown can break this.
Leadership Betting
Best betting exchange prices; Cameron 0.15/1: Davis 6.2/1
Best bookmaker prices; Cameron 1/10: Davis 11/2:
IG’s Binary spread-market. Cameron 82-90: Davis 10-18
Mike Smithson
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Quite right too! Take that, Tabman
I’d check the election years quoted Mike
Did IDS actually attend the University of Perugia? And didn’t Major defeat Oxford graduate Heseltine in 1990?
1 - just think how much better the country would have been since the war if someone from a proper University had been running it
Andy 2. Typo - changed.
Lorcan 3. IDS has Perugia on his Who’s Who entry.
Tabman 4. You mean a Cambridge grad like Michael Howard or Norman Lamont?
3 - I think he’s talking general elections rather than inter-party feuding. If you are talking along those lines Major also beat John Redwood.
.
4 - Do I detect a little bias? Though I would have gone for a change of union with Clarke I think Oxford has created the better politicians. Perhaps due to PPE being more of a solid subject that the wishy-washy nonesense coming from the SPS department.
5 - IDS has no qualification from the University of Perugia. He attended Universita per Stranieri, Perugia. A bit like Oxford Brookes isn’t Oxford. You should read Dod’s rather than Who’s Who for politicians *sniff*
I think IDS went to a language school there. The guardian ran some stuff about him faking his CV by claiming to be a graduate of Perugia University when in fact his relationship was akin to Archers at Oxford. He had driven through the town at speed.(NB. Michael Cricks biography of Archer is as funny as a biography gets)
The answer to the headline; 2009
“Michael Cricks biography of Archer is as funny as a biography gets”
Now that I have to agree with.
5 - Or Ken Clarke?
6 - being politics graduates doesn’t make people better politicians. Cambridge has far better maths, science, economics and engineering courses and I move that it would be better for the country if we had politicians who’d actually had a proper career doing something, rather than spouting forth as a lawyer!
10 - I realise my second point rather contradicts my first
5/6/7. When IDS attened the Universita per Stranieri in Perugia, that school wasn’t considered a real university. It was more like a “scuola superiore”. It’s considered a real university just since 1992. (17 Frebruary 1992, law number 204)
10 - HAHAHA. Nice catch though
David, are you a Tab?
13 - It’s not a term I would use but I am. I graduated in that ridiculous wishy-washy nonsense SPS.
A Tory doing SPS? I didn’t think it was allowed!
There do appear to be a proponderance of Tabs on this site… Maybe thats the difference - people from the other place actually go into politics, people from Cam simple waste there time talking about it…
15. what’s SPS?
14 “When I were a lad” SPS was Part II only, hence you had to move to it from some other Tripos. Two of my best friends (one a Telegraph journo, the other a Prof of politics at Birmingham) moved to it from Economics and NatSci respectively. Both were COLS
Andrea: http://www.sps.cam.ac.uk/
17 - Social and Political Sciences.
Of course, if Miliband (Corpus) were to be the next leader of the Labour party, then it wouldn’t matter…
19. ah, ok. Here “Political Sciences” has a the reputation to be an “easy” course. Sociology has a even worse reputation!
22 - Same reputation here. And it’s not erroneous either
18 - there’s a Part I now. But “Changing to SPS!” is still a common expression of frustration by natural scientists, economists etc.
22 - graffiti written over toilet roll dispenser in University toilets;
“Sociology Degree - please take one”
Incidentally, the Business Degree at Bath University was known as DBA (Degree in Business Administration). At this mainly sciences University it was usually referred to as Do B*gger All.
18 - COLS?
The only people I know from Cambridge who are actively climbing the greasy pole were lawyers. My SPS friends are generally appearing in reality TV shows or writing novels in Paris! We’re lazy by nature.
25. Tabman, when somebody asks me what do I study at university, I’m always afraid to reply. The usual reaction is “ah, ok, so you actually don’t do nothing………
26 Cambridge Organisation of Labour Students. Perhaps it doesn’t exist anymore. In the late 80s this was the preserve of the black polo-neck-wearing, round-spectackled, spikey-haired, Lenin-cap-sporting, Socialist Worker-selling left winger.
27 - No offence Andrea, but the amount of time you must spend perusing this website seems to suggest they might have a point
23/25. Students who who study Socilogy are in the grea great majority left winger here. is it the same in UK?
(when I say lef winger, I mean I look moderate among them!)
Did Kinnock go to Oxford? I thought he went to University in Cardiff so the 1992 election was a completely non Oxbridge election?
29.
(it’s not my fault if we’ve few hours of lessons this month)
Mike (Smithson), If the typo to which Andy was referring was the incorrect year (1951) in which Attlee won, then it doesn’t appear to have been changed. Of course, Labour won narrowly in 1950 but lost to the non-graduate Churchill in 1951. This is my pb.com public service announcement of the day
Neil Kinnock went to University College of Wales, Cardiff and got a BA industrial relations and history in 1966.
So Oxford couldn’t win in 1992!
31 - Badge of honour Mr Disraeli sir
That full crimson DPhil gown is just so brash, isn’t it? Cambridge’s discrete crimson tabs is much more subtle
My girlfriend did social policy at uni. Made her a raving lefty. I think the courses should carry a government health warning.
o/t but on a previous thread, Roger said he wanted a competition on the worst breasts in the house of commons. Can this be organised?
37. And what was that you were saying about sexism Roger?
37 - easy: Nick Soames
off the thread - In this morning’s Sun :
“The more we see of David Cameron the more we like. He had a privileged upbringing, but he’s a regular family man. He understands the pressure Sun readers feel to make ends meet. And he’d rather put the Great back in Britain than be popular. We challenged him to address five vital issues. His answers show he is heading in the right direction.Maybe, just maybe, there’s a light at the end of the Tory tunnel.”
supporting the winner, as usual…
37. Prescott?
37 - “o/t but on a previous thread, Roger said he wanted a competition on the worst breasts in the house of commons. Can this be organised?”
I should think so. Who will present Nicholas Soames with the trophy?
39 - LOL, I was interrupted while typing and Tabman beat me to it.
40. and trying to move him on the right…..just to support Labour next time.
37. Could I post Glenda’s breast in “Women in Love”?
5 Mike - You missed the Attlee one also. He won in 1945 and 1950. 1951 was Churchill.
…as John O pointed out
40. Reading that, I can’t help but think of Bernards line in yes prime minister ‘Sun readers don’t care who runs the country as long as shes got big tits’
43 -
scary!
47-”as long as shes got big tits’ ”
http://www.political.co.uk/annwiddecombe/images/out60.jpg
“My girlfriend did social policy at uni. Made her a raving lefty.”
I don’t suppose you could get her to contribute to this site could you Woody? It could really do with a lefty and a female. It’s starting to get like Whites.
About the breast competition. there aren’t enough Tory female MP’s to make a quorum!
48. Tabman. He’s one of your followers! He’s learning well.
50. Nah, I’ve managed to turn her off politics.
At least your breast competition isn’t sexist.
49 - “over-shoulder boulder holder”
52.”At least your breast competition isn’t sexist.”
becuase men are winning it?
37 - isn’t that a bit chicken and egg?
Could Tony win the “hottest shirtless hunk in Westminster” comeptition?
http://www.queerclick.com/images/tonyblair.jpg
“50. Nah, I’ve managed to turn her off politics”
She’s become a Tory?
56. I’ve a sneeky feeling that Tonys head has been superimposed onto that body. A little like a closet Tory has been imposed onto the labour party as leader.
50 - there are 17 Roger! Enough for any quorum I think.
58. Woody, I’m still trying to find Dinky’s nude calendar!
57. She realised what an unrealistic position the left take.
59 - so, who do you vote for Rik?
34 surely Rik?
I think TB is known to be a gym addict (several hours a day).
64 and a cosmetic addict too……
63 - not necessarilly roger - remember what killed Patsy Calton.
64. The head on that picture is out of all proportion to the body. I think he’s had to spend some time in the gym after the election where he had to eat his ‘favourite’ food, fish and chips and all those ice creams he shared with Gordon.
66. I’m not following you anymore. what’s the topic now?
61 - Even my real lefty friend who works for charidee has become more mild since growing up. She now says she can “do naive idealism” with the best of them but doesn’t believe it anymore.
Fatty Soames is only 18st or so I reckon there must be a bigger MP. Bring back Sir Cyril.
40 - I think The Sun/Times will fall behind the Tories under Cameron once the dour Scot takes over.
70. so the tories will be the usual righ wing party with the right wing support of a right wing newspaper (the Sun)?
49. I’ve actually had the pleasure of meeting Widdy: she was the guest of honour at my school prize day. Her breasticles are indeed monumental.
Do the Lib Dems have any fat MPs anymore? With Cyril Smith and Clement Freud they must have had the heaviest average MP.
73 - I don’t remember Clement Freud being fat, but maybe he had a dramatic diet at some stage. I can’t think of anyone of Smithian proportions in today’s party.
73 - Not properly fat but David Howarth and Sarah Teather are what you might call “homely”
74. I’m only commenting on him as he is now. Don’t remember him in Parliament.
P.S I’ve just had an e-mail from the Cameron camp with some shocking terrible news.
71 - Getting Murdoch’s papers on board was the expressed aim of the whole New Labour machine. Losing them will be a major blow.
74 - I’ve never MET anyone of Smithian proportions. But he’s a great guy who would never ever ever have lost his seat in Rochdale (which says a lot).
76 - terrible news? Is Helen Clark backing DC?
Oxford has been startingly successful. Even before that, the last losses by Oxonian leaders belonging to the two main parties were Asquith in the 1918-23 elections, and Gladstone in 1922, and, each time, the leaders they lost to (not counting 1923) - Bonar Law, Lloyd George and Disraeli - were non-graduates. Therefore, the only hope for Labour if Cameron wins, following the uni rule, would be to choose a non-graduate for leader.
76. I feel a shaggy dog story coming on….
78. The Venerable Helen’s support is a “must” if he seriously wants to win the election!
62 - Tabman I try to avoid such public statements!
82. A clue?
79 - Or to keep Blair… (Oxford is allowed to beat Oxford remember…)
78. Worse than that. Apparently he’s an Aston Villa supporter.
84. They’ve others from Oxford to pick up.
85 - Ugh!! He’s not getting my vote then. Do we know who DD supports?
Though when interviewed by the NOTW he didn’t know who the ngland goalie is so I don’t think DC knows much about footy (as supporting DoL’s losers suggests)
85 - ho ho. We beat Alistair Campbell’s team - you should be grateful!
A couple of pictures of the 2 Davids at the National TV Awards:
http://cache.gettyimages.com/comp/56012207.jpg?x=x&dasite=GettyImages&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=AB27D0502010942195534B1B9E10FCFBB405D40E96892C45AC9EDBE4E6F952F6
http://cache.gettyimages.com/comp/56012201.jpg?x=x&dasite=GettyImages&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=AB27D0502010942195534B1B9E10FCFB7846613DA0829AD2AC9EDBE4E6F952F6
87. Although you can’t choose your politician via their football club. In that case, I’d be voting for Geoff Hoon!!!!!!!!!!!
I believe IDS claimed to support Aston Villa. Why can’t they just leave us alone?
In the current Cabinet, Miliband and Murphy are the only other Oxonians, I think. Nothing like the Wilson Cabinet of 1964, with its nine from Oxford, including seven firsts and one starred first.
89. Well they look very comfortable. I’m not sure how the guy in the second photo (who is he BTW), feels about having DDs arm around him.
mmm. Billie
93 DD probably whispered in his ear “Look comfortable, or I’ll rip your arm out of its socket”.
44 - No, they are surprisingly good in that film!
93. I don’t know who that guy is. The photo’s caption mentioned only DD, DC and Billie Piper (is she better as an actress of what she was as a singer?)
91. IDS is in fact a Spurs supporter and season ticket holder at White Hart Lane. So you can breath easy in Aston.
Football is so 1990s, isn´t it? Cameron’s repuation has taken quite a hit with this news. Nothing like as media savvy as we thought.
94. Just for you David:
http://cache.gettyimages.com/comp/56012215.jpg?x=x&dasite=GettyImages&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=AB27D0502010942195534B1B9E10FCFBB4CE307850EF6984AC9EDBE4E6F952F6
Another one of the Davids:
http://cache.gettyimages.com/comp/56012211.jpg?x=x&dasite=GettyImages&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=AB27D0502010942195534B1B9E10FCFBB7AAB62D6255A20BAC9EDBE4E6F952F6
98 - ah. I googled for celebrity Villa fans and he was (clearly wrongly) labelled as one. I’ll stick with Nigel Kennedy and Floella Benjamin, thanks.
97 - An actress, she wasn’t a terribly good singer. But can I assure Roger that I don’t dislike her music because she’s a female, there are a number of male singers I also don’t like.
My girlfriens was appaled recently when I came home with a Glen Campbell double CD. Honestly some people have no taste - how can anyone not like Rhinestone Cowboy?
98. He is. I remember a clip of him playing 5 a side in a spurs shirt.
99.and what type of sport is so 20OO’s?
101 and Prince Harry.
102. She was a terrible singer. I still remember her “Honey to the Bee” (or something like this). I’m not sure who was the worst in those years: Billie Piper or the BWitched!
99 - No it hasn’t, it’s hardly mentioned in the paper’s at all today. He would have got much more flak if he hadn’t turned up. Who cares what celebrities think - the whole of Holywood hates the Republican party and they haven’t done too badly.
106 “Hunny 2 the B”
Also that classic “Because we want to!”
104 - Cricket.. it’s the new rock n roll.
102 - More of a Don Williams fan myself. Though so roger doesn’t accuse me of sexism I also recently bought a Faith Hill album and not just because she’s gorgeous.
100 - Ta!
104 - In an ideal world it would be darts. I’ve believed for a long time that top politicians should have darts style nicknames. And they should dress like professional wrestlers. If that doesn’t get people interested in politics again nothing will.
110. Fights between half naked MPs…..hum….interesting.
108. I coulnd’t remember “Because we want to!” . Maybe that song didn’t reach us.
110 - eww… Nicholas “Big Daddy” Soames in a leotard….. I’m glad I’m not eating.
102 - Not sure about Don Williams - I’m more of an Andy Williams man myself. If theres a better song than Moon River - I’ve not heard it!
104 - the Wall Game by the looks of it.
110/112. is Chris Bryant allowed to do wrestling wearing his Y fronts?
113 - Sorry should be 109.
110 - Though I guess it would make IDS be able to beat the majority of MPs literally if not poltically.
115 - Only if they were made of lycra!
110. That’s a great idea. If politicians had nicknames, then they might appeal more to the electerate. We’ve got Basher Davis. What is there for Cameron?
118. then his majority will go too up!
109. Wasn’t it easy to buy a Faith Hill’s poster?
(btw her husband is gorgeous too)
119. Cannabis Cameron as some Labour MPs labelled him
Politicians sporting their footballing allegiance came in with Wilson, like many of the modern image-making techniques in British politics - being pictured with celebs and so forth. The two Davids must have been remembering Blair from 1994-1997, when he was a fixture at events like the National Television Awards. I’m surprised Charles Kennedy doesn’t go to more of them: they’re tailor-made for the persona he tries to put across.
119 - Candid Cameron (rather ironically in view of his approach to the drugs question).
122 - OTOH there was Prescott and Chumbawumba.
119 - “And in the Red Cornaaahhhhh - the Eton Flop!!!!”
124 - Yes. It only works when you’re a popular Opposition or at the peak of your governing honeymoon: when you’re not in that position, celebrity land is fickle and a bit of a risk.
Mike - Don’t know if anyone else has already made this comment, but it is slightly misleading to say Duncan Loon went to Perugia University - although you can certainly be excused on the grounds its he who did the misleading!
A double act in the making ?
” Mr Cameron was the one holding the trophy and the pair were both booed as they arrived on stage.
Mr Davis asked his Tory rival: “Should you leave or should I?” To which Mr Cameron replied: “It’s not for us to decide.”
7 - Roger “I think IDS went to a language school there. The guardian ran some stuff about him faking his CV by claiming to be a graduate of Perugia University when in fact his relationship was akin to Archers at Oxford. He had driven through the town at speed.(NB. Michael Cricks biography of Archer is as funny as a biography gets)”
To be fair to Archer he was a member of Brasenose College - he attended the teacher training bit of Oxford University - a genuine university department - and was attached to BNC. So although he wasn’t an Oxford undergrad (perhaps the impression he would like to create), his connection to Oxford is a lot less tenuous than Duncan Loon’s is to Perugia! Don’t trust Crick!
I do think it’s rather good policy for the two Ds to do as much public campaigning as jointly as possible. They can outline their seperate visions while underlining the essential unity of the party.
120 - I genuinely like Faith Hill’s music. And I see what you mean about Mr McGraw. He’s definitely not from the ugly tree.
127 - We’ve been there
128 - The booing was much louder for the announcement of Ecclestone as “best” actor.
131. I could understand what you mean in Faith Hill too
I’ve one of her albums too.
131 It is only real booing if it’s at Peter Crouch level.
OT I see Guido has latched on to the fragrant Jenny Scott today
133. She’s got a skirt on today which will please one of the comment writers.
snot fair I don’t have a TV on near me. I think its punishment for my watching C4 for hours on end over the summer.
Getting back to weighty Lib Dems, David Heath is fairly well built.
136 - Last time I saw Simon he was getting middle-age spread.
136/137. but they aren’t fat.
138 - No this is true. On the Tory side Sir Patrick is “rotund” as is Ken Clarke.
PMQs is so boring that the BBC have come away 10 minutes early.
137/138/139 - If we include members of the HoL then you can hardly miss out Lord Rennard.
139. when you are over 50 year old, it’s easy to become “rotund”.
Gordon is a bit “rotund” too.
The Mirror has a joke a couple of weeks ago about Soames asking if he needs someone else to do group sex.
141. If we include the HOL then it will be spot the thin Lord.
Harriet Harmen thinks Grayling was dreadful. Another humourless dreadful person (can I say this without being accused of being sexist)
141. Widdy and Gwnyeth are rotund too. Abbott’s face is rotund too.
141 - eww. I’d rather forget Chris Rennard
143.”If we include the HOL then it will be spot the thin Lord. ”
The new ones like Estelle Morris
143 - Harriet Harman is a sparkling example of fine wit. Isn’t she Roger?!
I suppose saying Estelle Morris was a ridiculously over-promoted minister is sexist too.
So I better say that Geoff Hoon was (still is, unbelievably) too
146 - I hope that’s the last time two of us write about Baroness Morris of Yardley at the same time.
147. As long as you don’t comment about her dresses when she’s speaking.
149. I think HH looks very smart today. She does have a good dress sense. Unfortunatly that’s where it seems to end.
148. She didn’t last very long. Was she hyped for a better career when she entered the Commons in 1992?
Did she retire because she had no more chances to get front benches jobs or becuse she was fearing to lose her seat?
151. She knew she was going to lose her seat I’d have thought.
148 - A bit of both I’d say
woody662 - I’ve started thinking of him as “50s throwback David Cameron” (as in Mark Lamarr).
154. Nees to be catchier really. I mean Basher Davis sounds great. Straight to the point. Quiffy Cameron maybe.
Also, I can never remember whether it’s Osborne or Osbourne, so I might settle for Osbo.
Woody - Who is this rogue commentator who is a fan of Jenny? He has impeccable taste!
157. This chap http://5thnovember.blogspot.com/
Maybe Davis and Cameron could be the new Cannon and Ball.
159. Which ones which?
Well done Guido - did I ever say how much I enjoyed your website
152 - In fairness, although there is a very good chance Morris would have lost her seat, she would still have “qualified” for an immediate peerage had she done so having been a cabinet minister for a number of years. She has not got a peerage which she would not have got had she fought and lost. So I suspect it was a genuine decision to stand down for personal reasons as opposed to cowardice.
161. Shucks.
having been a cabinet minister for a number of years.
2 to be precise, still 9just0 a number greater than 1. I don’t think that’s enough to guarantees a peerage on ceasing to be an MP. She did some time as a junior minister before and after being in the cabinet.
162/164. ” to be precise, still 9just0 a number greater than 1. I don’t think that’s enough to guarantees a peerage on ceasing to be an MP.”
They gave a peerage to Tony Banks!
I intend on being the first PM to have graduated from the illustrious Queen Mary and Westfield College on Mile End Road.
166 - REALLY? none before?
167. Incredible, isn’t it?
167 - It is. I don’t think my college has an MP since John Wilkinson retired.
166/67/68 etc Could someone answer these question for me:
1) Has Edinburgh University ever produced a PM?
2) Assuming I become Prime Minister would I be the first from the equally illustrious Peebles High School.
164/165 - Probably three years all told 2001-2 and 2003-5. In any event it has been a convention (of sorts) since Wilson’s time that former cabinet ministers who want a peerage get a peerage regardless of seniority, time in office etc (Jonathan Aitken is an obvious exception and of course some haven’t wanted a peerage).
170 - Russell was an Edinburgh University alumni. And you have a former President in the form of Hastings Banda of Malawi too!
If I became PM I am confident that I would be the first from Dorset Institute of HE (now Bournemouth University) and think I would be the first from Bournemouth School. Although Bournemouth School has produced some pretty impressive individuals (Sir David English, Mike Wooldrige (BBC), and Mike Tomlinson).
The first person to make a snide remark in response to Richard’s thoughtful comment at 173 should be ashamed. It requires exceptional self restraint though, doesn’t it?
Lord Russell and Palmerston was Edinburgh (though Palmerston also went to St Johns, Cambridge). Melbourne and Campbell-Bannerman were Glasgow as well as Cambridge.
The chances of DD becoming the first graduate from my uni to become PM look very slim now. My school hasn’t produced a PM yet - it’s best recent pol has been Peter Lilley.
My info on high schools is fairly poor but I’m sure the only MP from Wardle High School WAS Lorna Fitzsimons. She’s unlikely now to beat me to Number 10.
172 - Thanks.
173 - The only remotely famous people from my school are Kevin Thomson (Hibs) and Stephen McLean (Sheffield Wed) which is ironic given we were a rugby playing school. Needless to say both had left Peebles Thistle before our infamous 21 - 0 defeat to Cramond!
I need to stop John Bercow or James Dudderidge becoming PM, if I am to be the first from Essex University.
Don’t think we’ve ever produced an MP. But one of the English teachers went on to be an MSP for T,E&L (Ian Jenins) and Catherine Maxwell-Stewart (whose family own Scotland’s oldest continually inhabited house at Traquair) was an ex-pupil who stood for the Labour party, as only befits a local aristocrat!
176. Sat next to Peter Lilley on the bus up to the Imperial in Blackpool. Nice chap. Don’t know why he kept winning slimy git of the week award on drop the dead donkey.
If I become PM, I’ll be the first from my university since John Major.
My family were discussing this last night and concluded that Neville Chamberlain was the last non Oxford graduate to be PM. I have just checked wikipedia and he was at Mason’s College, which subsequently in 1900 became part of the University of Birmingham. Interestingly, according to wikipedia (which I know is not 100% reliable)Chamberlain and Russell (Edinburgh) are the only non-Oxbridge graduates to have been PM.
179 - Hmm, tough task. Why don’t you settle for being the third successive Prime Minister from Essex University?
173 - I forget one celebrity from my school - Christian Bale - the actor!!
174 - James I wouldnt worry I am used to it!
182 - Of course for most of the 19th century there were only those two universities in England.
Sadly I must report that Sion Simon attended my school.
182 - Neville attended Mason’s College because his father, the great Joe, in his role as uncrowned monarch, played a leading role in founding it (and was its first Chancellor when it became a full University). Neville was orginally supposed to be the Chamberlain scion who stuck to trade - Austen, envisaged as the political heir of Joe, was sent to Cambridge.
No one really famous from my old school. The current NW Leicestershire MP went to it though. Nice chap.
Take a look a younger picture of your favourite Tory MP on this link Andrea. http://www.bbc.co.uk/leicester/aroundleicester/politics/mp_2.shtml
187 - He probably bloody well should have stuck to trade
Well joining in the debate - if I ever become PM will I be the first University of St Andrews graduate to become PM? We have had some cabinet minister’s from the university, but not sure about the top job.
We have been around nearly as long as OXbridge!
185. No, there weren’t. I believe Durham, UCL and King’s were all founded in the first half of the 19th century, so for “most” of the century there were at least five universities in England, and another four in Scotland.
190 - but wont you one day have an alumnus as King?!
170. Max, I was in Peebles at the start of last month. A lovely little village it was too. In fact, it was the same trip I went through Kinkell Bridge; I wonder how many other posters’ manors I passed through!
Of course Rik - we are both graduates from the same year at university.
So if I can get to PM and he becomes King - we can have a reall ST Andrews power bloc at the top of UK politics!
194 my brother in law graduated from st Andrews in the mid 80s.
My school doesn’t do famous alumni (yet - unless you count one time Guardian columnist Jessica Aitkenhead, and who was the subject of my first ever post on here!).
195 - I believe she’s now known as “Decca”
194 - It is really pretty, although the people that live there would consider it a town rather than a village! I’m from a small village a bit outside. You’d like Peebles it’s full of Lib Dems! And funnily enough David Steel’s daughter is one of the local councillors. Peebles also has the distinction of being burnt to the ground by the English on not one, but two occasions.
No no St Andrews alumnus has become PM. I think I mentioned the Scottish connections scotland connections at 175 (though three of those also went to Cambridge)
Mike
This thread is boring. Can you close it please?
P.
Seconded.
I am trying to remember the cabinet minister from Major’s cabinet who was a St Andrews alumni. He is now a Lord - was it Michael Forysth?
Mike
Can you confirm that 173 was really Rik and not a P***take?