[Ed R.Marley]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01l9zfm

The story of two boys with a dream to scale the heights of Oxbridge university politics, the fabled nursery slopes for Westminster.

Both Chris Monk, 19 and Joe Cooke, 21, are passionate about politics and have been Conservatives from a tender age. Now they face an academic term that could make or break their future political careers. Despite the three-piece suits and plummy vowels, both are state-school educated and see themselves as outsiders in the Oxbridge social and political scene.

When Joe tries to effect change and bring about reform in the society, he comes head-to-head with 88 years of tradition. Will he eventually turn his back on a life in politics? And will Chris have the knowhow to impress the members of the political elite he aspires to?

On BBC2 right now. A chance to see the next crop of Tory gimps

[johnnybgoode83]

If they are outside the normal Eton and Oxbridge circle, they may not be so bad.

[Hackneyshamus]

Downight bleeding frightening

[CABLEDUDE]

I'm watching it now on iPlayer, it's like a bloody sitcom

[Dave Hawk]

Originally Posted by johnnybgoode83

If they are outside the normal Eton and Oxbridge circle, they may not be so bad.

The late Earl of Stockton was educated at Eton and Oxford.

In the last month of his life, he mournfully observed:

"Sixty-three years ago... the unemployment figure (in Stockton-on-Tees) was then 29%. Last November... the unemployment (there) is 28%. A rather sad end to one's life".

[Drunken Scouser]

Originally Posted by Dave Hawk

The late Earl of Stockton was educated at Eton and Oxford.

In the last month of his life, he mournfully observed:

"Sixty-three years ago... the unemployment figure (in Stockton-on-Tees) was then 29%. Last November... the unemployment (there) is 28%. A rather sad end to one's life".

I think Harold MacMillan was almost a socialist. He was an early Keynesian, authored 'The Middle Way', (a book that contemporary social democrats would be hard-pressed to disagree with) opposed appeasement, (unlike many Tories who saw Nazism as a protection against socialism creeping in from the East) agreed with many of Attlee's nationalisations and is believed to have said when Labour were elected in 1945 'Though I deplore that uneducated men shall lead us, at least the poor shall be cared for.'

He could have easily fit into the moderate side of the Labour Party, had it not been for the cultural differences created by his aristocratic background.

[CABLEDUDE]

Originally Posted by Drunken Scouser

I think Harold MacMillan was almost a socialist. He was an early Keynesian, authored 'The Middle Way', (a book that contemporary social democrats would be hard-pressed to disagree with) opposed appeasement, (unlike many Tories who saw Nazism as a protection against socialism creeping in from the East) agreed with many of Attlee's nationalisations and is believed to have said when Labour were elected in 1945 'Though I deplore that uneducated men shall lead us, at least the poor shall be cared for.'

He could have easily fit into the moderate side of the Labour Party, had it not been for the cultural differences created by his aristocratic background.

I agree, he very nearly joined the Liberals I believe, and would've fitted in well alongside Beveridge, etc.

[GreatGodPan]

Originally Posted by Hackneyshamus

Downight bleeding frightening

Agreed - and simultaneously sad.

That these two ex-comprehensive school Oxbridge students felt they had to reinvent themselves before they could be accepted by the Conservative elite at those establishments says a lot.

The facade oh-too-easily crumbled, as when Oxford Joe broke down in tears when talking about his background and the insecure young man came to the fore.

The Cambridge guy was, as you say, rather alarming - his gullibility in believing they had "lost" his self-nomination to the committee was a joy to behold.

A fascinating programme I thought.

[Tassium]

Saw a bit on iPlayer and was too much like watching 'You've Been Framed'

In that there is the same sense of horror at what unfolds.


What sort of person is interested in politics at such a young age? The sort you don't want interested in politics.

[tysonstorm]

Originally Posted by Tassium

Saw a bit on iPlayer and was too much like watching 'You've Been Framed'

In that there is the same sense of horror at what unfolds.


What sort of person is interested in politics at such a young age? The sort you don't want interested in politics.

Especially to want to join the Tory Party. I'd wonder where I failed in life if my kid wanted to be a Tory.

I suppose the old boys network and the elitist attitude of power and wealth is something that attracted them to the Tories. Plus those lads look like the sort who'd wet the bed at the thought of hard graft.

I must admit that Joe kid reminded me of: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeLSNzEorbI

[angarrack]

I ended up liking both of them. Both marvellously eccentric. The politics was irrelevant really. It was all a bit of a lark in which each was playing a role, not to be taken too seriously.

[Verence]

To my mind the Cambridge guy looked a bit like a young Boris Johnson

[Nessun Dorma]

Originally Posted by Verence

To my mind the Cambridge guy looked a bit like a young Boris Johnson

Spot on...that is exactly what I thought when I clicked on the link. I thought it was BoJo as a young man.

Yet another chinless wonder climbing the greasy pole. Although these two went to a state school, I very much doubt it was a comprehensive in Tower Hamlets or Moss Side. More likely akin to a grammar in the leafy villages of Buckinghamshire or Cheshire.

[redhatmatt]

The BBC documentary on narcissistic personality disorder was very informative, I hope that we have more documentaries on dealing with mental illness in young people

[DuckSeason]

I've always been sceptical of bias accusations against the BBC, but after watching this was basically a party political broadcast for the Labour Party.

[Verence]

By way of a follow up how about doing a documentary about two young aristos trying to get positions of influence in left-wing political societies at two northern universities??

[redhatmatt]

Originally Posted by Verence

By way of a follow up how about doing a documentary about two young aristos trying to get positions of influence in left-wing political societies at two northern universities??

What Northern Universities do members of the shadow cabinet come from then? Or is broadly the same independent school-> Russell Group University that members of the conservative cabinet come from?

[Verence]

Originally Posted by redhatmatt

What Northern Universities do members of the shadow cabinet come from then? Or is broadly the same independent school-> Russell Group University that members of the conservative cabinet come from?

Point taken..