New intake boosts number of Tory MPs educated at state schools

A NEW intake of Conservative MPs in former Labour heartlands has increased the number of state-educated Tories in the Commons.

Only 41 per cent of the current crop of Tory MPs attended a private school, compared with 45 per cent in 2017 and 48 per cent in 2015.

Data analysed by the Sutton Trust found that of the 173 MPs who went to independent schools, 11 went to Eton, including Boris Johnson and Jacob Rees-Mogg.

Mark Fletcher, who unseated Dennis Skinner and became the first Conservative to represent Bolsover since the seat was created, said the Tories won in traditionally working-class areas on Thursday because Labour had stopped listening to people in their heartlands.

“I’m absolutely delighted that some of the people I know well have been elected because I know they are strong representatives of working-class people in the North and in the Midlands,” he said.

“That is basically what I have wanted the Conservative Party to be forever, and I have no interest in massaging statistics and trying to make the party better on paper but not actually being representative of those areas.

“I feel in terms of quotas and things, it’s about merit. If good people are coming forward from whatever background then we’re lucky. I just want good people elected into positions of power.”

Mr Fletcher attended the Ridgewood School in Scawsby, Doncaster, a state comprehensive. His A-level studies were interrupted by the death of his mother, after which he lived alone while completing his studies.

During that time he won a place at Jesus, Cambridge, to study Land Economy.

“I was the first member of my family to go to university, so it was a very proud moment for my dad,” he told The Sunday Telegraph. telegraph.co.uk/ brexitbulletin she would have bridge, for sure.”

Sir Peter Lampl, founder of the Sutton Trust, said despite working-class Tory newcomers, the educational background of the new House of Commons as a whole remained similar to the previous parliament.

“There has been a small increase in the numbers of MPs educated at comprehensive schools,” he said.

“However, MPs are still four times as likely to have been to an independent school than a state school and three times as likely to have been to a grammar school than to a comprehensive school. If Parliament is to truly represent the nation, it is crucial we act on a wide range of fronts so that talented people from all backgrounds have the opportunity to become MPs.”

The research found that 70 per cent of Labour MPs attended comprehensive schools, compared to 41 per cent of Conservatives.

Thursday’s new intake, who will be sworn in this week, is also the most ethnically diverse set of MPs in history to be elected to the House of Commons.

The election boosted the number of MPs from an ethnic minority background from 52 to 65, bringing the proportion to a tenth.

The increase brings the figure closer to the proportion of people from an ethnic minority among the electorate, which stands at 12 per cent.

This election was the first time at a general election that more ethnic minority women were elected than men, with 37 women and 28 men being elected.

The number of female Conservative MPs increased from 67 to 87 this week while the Labour Party now has more female MPs than male.

Of Labour’s 203 MPs in Westminster, 104 or 51 per cent, are women. The party had a record high number of women MPs in 2017 when 119 won seats. Female MPs also outnumber males in the Liberal Democrats, where seven out of the 11 parliamentarians elected this week are women. approved of

Cam

The Conservatives have held Guildford, Surrey since 2005 but came under considerable pressure from the Lib Dems, who threatened to oust them. Anne Milton, the former education minister, had been the Tory MP for Guildford since 2005 but

Lunchtime on Friday – and butcher David Jackson and florist John Robinson, both 70, are still excited about the first Conservative victory in the town in more than three decades. “People voted Labour because their mams and dads did,” says Mr Robinson. “Labour were for the labourers, but now they’re for themselves.”

Mr Jackson leans into the open window of Mr Robinson’s stall. “They’re complacent and aloof,” says Mr Jackson. “That’s what they get: booted out.” By comparison, new MP Peter Gibson is the son of a local nurse and shipwright. Until recently the 44-year-old was managing director of Coles Solicitors. He lives 30 miles away in Thirsk with partner, Gareth. “Peter Gibson came in and thanked everybody at 10am,” says Mr Jackson. “I don’t think anyone’s done that before. I said, ‘We want had the party whip removed in September after she voted to block a no-deal Brexit. She stood as an independent on Thursday but won 7.4 per cent of the vote. Despite panic in Tory quarters, Angela Richardson, pictured, won the seat with 26,317 to Zoe Franklin’s 22,980. The Conservatives lost almost 10 per cent of this place revamped.’ He’s sympathetic because his partner was a butcher.”

This isn’t Conservative heartland but Mr Gibson is a new brand of Tory. He started on the campaign trail at 12, delivering leaflets. The walls of his small office are lined with portraits of the last 13 Tory leaders, plus Winston Churchill. Locals pop in to give him the thumbs-up, ask for his email address and gift him more prosecco. “It’s marvelous we’ve got a new MP,” says town centre campaigner Tori Gill, whose bag’s slogan is “I’m dead posh, I’m from Darlington” (

Local butcher Stephen Roddy calls his win “brilliant”. “Look at the state of the market,” he says, pointing at empty stalls. “We’re all fighting hard.” Mr Gibson is eager to help. But first, a long sleep and cuddle with his Jack Russell – called Clemmie, after Churchill’s wife.

Cara McGoogan in Darlington their vote share while the Lib Dems increased theirs by more than 15 per cent – leaving just a five per cent difference.

The constituency’s backing for Remain in the 2016 referendum (56.2 to 43.8 per cent) was behind the sudden surge. Residents say canny tactical voting by traditional Labour

Get Brexit done. The three words repeated daily from every Conservative platform and in every speech by Boris Johnson. And here, where the Labour Party’s red wall crumbled, they are the promise to which the Prime Minister is being held. For many of those who switched, resolving Brexit is top priority. “Brexit is the main thing,” said Tony Usherwood, 80. “That’s what Boris Johnson needs to focus on so we can move past it.”