Labour wants 'elites for all'

Clarke: 'Let's not attack the bogey of elitism'

Education Secretary Charles Clarke has hit back at claims by Labour leftwingers that the party is creating an 'elitist' society.

Many on the left fear ideas such as university top-up fees and Foundation Hospitals will create a two-tier society, barring access to the best education and healthcare to all but the wealthy and well-connected.

But in a robust defence of New Labour's "meritocratic" philosophy, Mr Clarke said elites were a "fact of life".

From Linford Christie to Paula Radcliffe, the English football team to Steve Redgrave our great sports people are by definition parts of an elite

Charles Clarke

The education secretary said he would rather be operated on by an elite hospital consultant than a "second-rater".

And government should not be about smashing elites, but making sure everyone had access to them.

In an article for the education department's website, the privately-educated Mr Clarke said he wanted a society where everyone had a "fair crack" at joining an elite.

The education secretary's comments are clearly aimed at Labour left-wingers such as former health secretary Frank Dobson, who earlier this month attacked Tony Blair and his advisers for promoting "elitism".

Mr Clarke writes: "Elites are a fact of life.

"All of our international sporting teams are elites.

'Aspirations'

"From Linford Christie to Paula Radcliffe, the English football team to Steve Redgrave our great sports people are by definition parts of an elite.

"In the artistic world, the nation's great performers in the theatre, as popular singers or film stars are all parts of an elite."

Similar elites existed in the worlds of politics, the media and business, Mr Clarke went on.

"Our mission is to do what we can to ensure that people from all walks of life get the chance to join these elites and that elites use their knowledge to benefit others.

Are Mr Milburn's plans elitist?

"As secretary of state for education and skills I see one of my greatest responsibilities to be to offer to every citizen the chance to be part of an elite judged on merit.

"To do this, we must provide educational opportunities to fulfil their aspirations which, as appropriate may give them the chance to be part of the elite which is right for them," Mr Clarke said.

He concluded: "Let's not attack the bogey of elitism; let's do what we can to break down the divisive artificial barriers which still do exist in so many parts of our society."

In an article for The Observer earlier this month, Frank Dobson said ideas like university top-up fees, where students would be charged more to attend top universities, made many Labour supporters question their commitment to the party.

Mr Dobson also attacked his successor Alan Milburn's plans for Foundation Hospitals.

'Perpetuating'

He told The Observer singling out hospitals "for special privileges and extra resources" would allow them to offer higher salaries and attract scarce staff from other parts of the NHS.

"So the gap between the best and the rest will grow," he said.

He went on to attack Tony Blair's advisers who "having done well themselves in the heavily-rigged lottery of life" sought to "perpetuate and exacerbate the inequalities of the English education system".

"The more successful members of society are the ones promoting this elitism," Mr Dobson said.