Parliament is too middle class.

[Kaz]

The professions - the law, medicine, even journalism and television, those last two rather worryingly I feel - are becoming more and more middle class again. Only better off parents can afford to support their children through the unpaid 'internships' that seem to be required these days at entry level..........

I was reading a very interesting book in Waterstone's the other day "Chavs - the Demonization of the Working Classes" (sorry I can't remember the author's name) and it was eye opening

[cromwell]

Owen Jones?
He writes for the Independent newspaper.
Y-e-e-e-es.
At one time a bright working class kid could get a grammar school education, free university education and onwards and upwards into the professions. Not now.

[Kaz]

Yes that was him

Absolutely - 40 years ago a bright but poor child had the world at his/her feet. That is no longer true, sadly David Cameron weasled out of his promise to reinstate grammar schools

[Workingman]

Let us also remember that quite a few of those who failed the eleven plus could also get a second chance once in the world of work. We had polytechnics and specialist colleges in those days and for those with the brains the chance of HND/HNC or RSA certification could lead on to management or a degree.