Yvette Cooper explains why Labour will put VAT on private schools because, "That's what Labour is about, that's what Labour believes in" I know of at least one couple, lifelong Labour voters who will not be voting Labour based on this one policy alone, as the additional cost would... mean they cannot send their children to their current private schools Labour will squeeze the middle classes in this way, but Labour will not tax the rich 🤷‍♂️show more

Every school should have the same standard of offering, from teachers to activities, etc. That successive governments have failed to invest in schools to create this widening divide is awful I would prefer that the bankers bonus cut be reversed and that money be spent on funding schools, than squeezing those in the middle classes who can just about manage Labour have chosen this culture war, allowing bankers to get richer, instead of taxing them, leaving us to have this conversation We all want the same thing, better standards in state schools, so that the differentiation between state and private is non existent

Average private school fee is £15,000 a year. Tell me what average middle class family can afford that? Only 7% of kids go to private school that’s hardly the squeezed middle.

You see no one jumped to SEN kids defence when public schools funding was cut after we left EU. But as soon as it’s private schools everyone loses their shit. Well you can fuck off with that one. I think Labour is doing the right thing, if you can afford private schools I’ll think you’ll be ok.

really what is it about the rich were loaded but why should we pay VAT .. it the private sector school send your kid to a state school… PRIVATE IS EXACTLY THAT PRIVATE .. ALL PRIVATE SECTOR ARE SUBJECT TO RULES

All children are entitled to a decent education, so I'm afraid that your friends will just have to suck it up. And if this one policy turns them into Tories (I know you weren't specific), then that's probably what they were all along.

They aren’t Labour voters then. Labour stands for all people not just self interest. If they no longer vote for Labour because of a policy that is designed to help all people then they aren’t Labour voters they are conservatives

How come the additional Tory costs on tax, mortgages, weekly shopping - plus Tory advice to families struggling to pay to get a better job or a 2nd or 3rd job - are overlooked but a rise in private education costs causes "lifelong" (ahem) Labour supporters to withdraw support?

I’m a lifelong Labour voter and won’t be voting for them specifically on this issue. It actually disgusts me as it vindictively targets working class people who choose to send their kids to fee paying schools to improve their child’s life. It is those decent parents and their poor children who will be forced into whatever comprehensive has a space. The mega wealthy will just pay extra fee regardless, it’s the most elitist policy I could imagine.

Why should the electorate front the bill though?