I agree with C-flat and Greg. Ms Abbott has consistently attacked other members of her party for putting their children before their socialist principles but has now done the same thing herself. When she made these attacks on others she was already a mother and, in her position would have been aware of the parlous state of the local schools. The fact that black children, in particular boys, do not do well under our wonderful system is not a brand new phenomenon. What sort of politician is she that she did not think, before sounding off, 'what would I do in their position?' Ms Abbott actually added to the furore by stating that she 'couldn't recall' one of the attcks she made, although it was during a televised broadcast, which is still available. Nice lady.

If I could have afforded it I would have sent my children to fee-paying schools and I would be paying for medical treatment I need rather than waiting my turn on an NHS list. I don't resent the people who can do this as, on the whole they are paying twice, once into the state system via taxes and rates and then out of their own pockets for services which they are NOT taking from the state. These people are, to a degree boosting the state system, so where's the problem?

These days I find it difficult to ally myself to any political party as, from recent experience, they all come out the same. But, LH, I would suggest that criterion 1 needs to be 'those who do not want the job' as all our wonderful politicians would be falling all over themselves to be put on the list otherwise.