Boris: ‘At last, an Oxbridge for my mates!’


by Sunny Hundal    
June 6, 2011 at 11:17 am

London’s occasional Mayor Boris Johnson writes his weekly comment piece for the Telegraph today praising the idea of “a new Oxbridge for people who can’t get into Oxbridge“.

In the past, writes Boris, his mates had complained there was, “some kind of secret Pol Pot-style persecution of the children of the bourgeoisie” as they couldn’t get into Oxbridge.

I mean, just think of the people being massacred! Oh wait…

He goes on to say:

“Top dons to create new Oxbridge” was a headline to gladden the heart of many a grieving parent and frustrated academic. In fact, the whole thing is such unambiguously good news that I scarcely know where to begin.

He goes on to say that the newly created university will feature a “large proportion” of undergraduates who will get reduced fees or get full-scholarships, but its not explained who will fund this.

But at least Boris’ mates will no longer complain of “Pol-pot style persecution”! I’m sure the Cambodians will attest to how bad that was…


---------------------------
     


About the author
Sunny Hundal is editor of LC. Also: on Twitter, at Pickled Politics and Guardian CIF.
· Other posts by
Filed under
News


33 Comments || Add yours below

  • We have a tight comments policy aimed at fostering constructive debate.
  • We believe in free speech but not your right to abuse our space.
  • Abusive, sarcastic or silly comments may be deleted.
  • Misogynist, racist, homophobic and xenophobic comments will be deleted.
  • Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy.


Reader comments


1. Aidan McSmith

Oxbride in first line haha

2. Ellie Cumbo

WaIt, so..he’s saying rich kids who aren’t good enough to get into Oxbridge have somehow been denied their natural right to go to a top university of their choice?!

He goes on to say that the newly created university will feature a “large proportion” of undergraduates who will get reduced fees or get full-scholarships, but its not explained who will fund this.

From the article you link to.

he and his colleagues want to see 30 per cent of undergraduates receive some help with their fees, and a large proportion will have full scholarships, funded either charitably or from the fees of those who can afford to pay.

So either from donations/endowments, or from the University’s fee income. Seems reasonably straightforward.

4. Chaise Guevara

Much as private education annoys me, this probably isn’t the best time to be complaining about it. If this development even mildly broadens the scope of people who can get into prestigous universities, it’s probably a good thing in the short term.

5. Luis Enrique

but its not explained who will fund this.

err …. it’s a private university. Safe to assume, I think, that it will fund assisted places out of its revenues.

Interesting take on it here from Mary Beard. Both supportive and critical.

http://timesonline.typepad.com/dons_life/2011/06/is-graylings-new-college-a-new-oxbridge.html

A ‘new Oxbridge’? Isn’t that what the rest of the Russell Group were supposed to be? Still, it could be worse: Durham isn’t a member of the RG, and now they’ve been displaced by some kind of private Brains Trust University charging double the maximum whack of £9.000 a year. How many hours of Niall Ferguson’s valuable time that will buy you between his other engagements, TV appearances, book deals and liberal-baiting is anybody’s guess.

funded either charitably or from the fees of those who can afford to pay.

Doesn’t say what proportion this will be.

Are they really saying other students will subsidise the large proportion of scholarships? Rubbish. What charitable groups have said they will chip in? As I said, none of this is clarified – its just a vague commitment at the moment

Are they really saying other students will subsidise the large proportion of scholarships? Rubbish.

Jesus Sunny. How do you think private schools pay for bursaries and scholarships? Out of fee income (as well as charitable donations and endowments). How will a private university pay for bursaries? Out of fee income (as well as charitable donations and endowments). This isn’t hard.

What charitable groups have said they will chip in?

None, but they wouldn’t have to. It’s the donation that’s charitable, not the donor. Are you just going off on auto-opposition mode again, without taking the time to understand what you’re opposing? Bad habit that.

10. Luis Enrique

Sunny,

I don’t understand – it’ll be a private business, why is the idea that it will provide some discounted and/or free places out of its own resources self-evidently “rubbish”, in your view?

[When private secondary schools provide assisted places isn't that often simply funded out of the school's own pocket?]

why is the idea that it will provide some discounted and/or free places out of its own resources self-evidently “rubbish”, in your view?

I thought it would be obvious. Education costs far more. Even the Professors themselves admit it. So they’ve chosen to go independent and have costs paid by students themselves – hence the 18k fees.

In order to have a high proportion of scholarships / subsidies – they need external contributions. I highly doubt that the richer students can subsidise the poorer ones if they’re just paying 18k.
Tim J is living in cuckoo-land where things will work out magically just by wishing it. I’m willing to bet money the actual proportion of scholarships will be much lower than projected.

12. Mr Grunt

When Boris speaks it sounds like he is regurgitating a dictionary that he has eaten for breakfast.

I think that Boris also wallows in the thought that he sounds sophisticated and that makes him safely feel that he is number one, above everyone else.

Bloody Toffs.

13. Chaise Guevara

@ 12 Mr Grunt

“When Boris speaks it sounds like he is regurgitating a dictionary that he has eaten for breakfast.

I think that Boris also wallows in the thought that he sounds sophisticated and that makes him safely feel that he is number one, above everyone else.

Bloody Toffs.”

Do you have anything to contribute, or are you just going to throw lazy, anti-intellectual snobbery around?

Its private, but its using UCL facilities and resources. So its detrimental to UCL. I dont understand how people can argue this might improve the scope of students at elite unis when the fees are double that of others. Will the Government offer student loans for it?


Reactions: Twitter, blogs
  1. Liberal Conspiracy

    Boris Johnson: 'At last, an Oxbridge for my mates!' http://bit.ly/kJ5U6p

  2. Mabel Horrocks

    Boris Johnson: 'At last, an Oxbridge for my mates!' http://bit.ly/kJ5U6p

  3. Mr Edd B

    Boris Johnson: 'At last, an Oxbridge for my mates!' http://bit.ly/kJ5U6p

  4. sunny hundal

    Boris Johnson's friends say their kids not getting into Oxbridge is "Pol-pot style persecution". He agrees. WTF? http://bit.ly/kJ5U6p

  5. Stace

    If Ken Livingstone stays quiet & Boris Johnson keeps talking, he's got the Mayor job in the bag: http://bit.ly/kJ5U6p

  6. Stace

    If Ken Livingstone stays quiet & Boris Johnson keeps talking? Ken's got the Mayor job in the bag: http://bit.ly/kJ5U6p

  7. Luke

    Boris Johnson's friends say their kids not getting into Oxbridge is "Pol-pot style persecution". He agrees. WTF? http://bit.ly/kJ5U6p

  8. Aaron Stebbings

    Boris Johnson's friends say their kids not getting into Oxbridge is "Pol-pot style persecution". He agrees. WTF? http://bit.ly/kJ5U6p

  9. Mancunian Candidate

    Boris Johnson: 'At last, an Oxbridge for my mates!' http://bit.ly/kJ5U6p

  10. Andy S

    Boris Johnson's friends say their kids not getting into Oxbridge is "Pol-pot style persecution". He agrees. WTF? http://bit.ly/kJ5U6p

  11. Lynn

    Boris Johnson's friends say their kids not getting into Oxbridge is "Pol-pot style persecution". He agrees. WTF? http://bit.ly/kJ5U6p

  12. Rob

    Boris Johnson's friends say their kids not getting into Oxbridge is "Pol-pot style persecution". He agrees. WTF? http://bit.ly/kJ5U6p

  13. Bakka

    Boris Johnson's friends say their kids not getting into Oxbridge is "Pol-pot style persecution". He agrees. WTF? http://bit.ly/kJ5U6p

  14. Pucci Dellanno

    Boris Johnson: 'At last, an Oxbridge for my mates!' http://bit.ly/kJ5U6p

  15. Martin Eve

    Boris Johnson: 'At last, an Oxbridge for my mates!' http://bit.ly/kJ5U6p

  16. John Jameson

    Boris Johnson's friends say their kids not getting into Oxbridge is "Pol-pot style persecution". He agrees. WTF? http://bit.ly/kJ5U6p

  17. Nick H.

    Boris Johnson's friends say their kids not getting into Oxbridge is "Pol-pot style persecution". He agrees. WTF? http://bit.ly/kJ5U6p

  18. Stella K

    Boris: ‘At last, an Oxbridge for my mates!’ | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/ME6dkvp via @libcon Grrrr!!

  19. Daniel Pitt

    Boris Johnson: At last, an Oxbridge for my mates! http://t.co/vo72lIX #ConDemNation





  • We have a tight comments policy aimed at fostering constructive debate.
  • We believe in free speech but not your right to abuse our space.
  • Abusive, sarcastic or silly comments may be deleted.
  • Misogynist, racist, homophobic and xenophobic comments will be deleted.
  • Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy.

 
Liberal Conspiracy is the UK's most popular left-of-centre politics blog. Our aim is to re-vitalise the liberal-left through discussion and action. More about us here.

You can read articles through the front page, via Twitter or RSS feed. You can also get them by email and through our Facebook group.
RECENT OPINION ARTICLES




62 Comments



15 Comments



23 Comments



10 Comments



24 Comments



19 Comments



16 Comments



83 Comments



203 Comments



85 Comments



LATEST COMMENTS
» LondonJ posted on Workfare - what does the evidence show?

» pagar posted on The real agenda behind Telegraph's abortion investigation

» the a&e charge nurse posted on The real agenda behind Telegraph's abortion investigation

» Watchman posted on The real agenda behind Telegraph's abortion investigation

» Flowerpower posted on The real agenda behind Telegraph's abortion investigation

» Chaise Guevara posted on Job snob? No, I've got the T-shirt

» bluepillnation posted on Job snob? No, I've got the T-shirt

» Hannah posted on The real agenda behind Telegraph's abortion investigation

» Robin Levett posted on The real agenda behind Telegraph's abortion investigation

» Chaise Guevara posted on The real agenda behind Telegraph's abortion investigation

» Lee Griffin posted on The real agenda behind Telegraph's abortion investigation

» Robin Levett posted on The real agenda behind Telegraph's abortion investigation

» Robin Levett posted on The real agenda behind Telegraph's abortion investigation

» Dave posted on The real agenda behind Telegraph's abortion investigation

» Shatterface posted on Workfare - what does the evidence show?