Simon KuperChums: How a Tiny Caste of Oxford Tories Took Over the UK

This book is a wry look at the British ruling class and how, in many cases, their attendance at the University of Oxford facilitated their access to the levers of political power. On p. 3, Kuper notes that since the Second World War, no fewer than 11 out of 15 British Prime Ministers have been to Oxford.In particular, the book focuses on Oxford-educated Tories with public school backgrounds (e.g., Boris Johnson). So far as Oxford itself is concerned, Kuper has some claim to authority, since he was an undergraduate there in the late 1980s/early 1990s.Kuper argues that that people with political ambitions who arrive at Oxford with public school backgrounds tend to have a sense of entitlement, seeing themselves as predestined for the top. The Oxford Union (not to be confused with the university’s students’ union) is a debating society, where proceedings are conducted along lines very similar to those of the House of Commons. Kuper explains that it’s preponderantly Tory students who have been active in the Oxford Union. Consequently, participation in Oxford Union debates has provided useful debating practice for would-be Tory MPs.Regarding the UK’s exit from the European Union, Kuper was evidently on the losing, ‘remain’, side in the referendum, and he attributes Brexit, in good part, to Oxford-educated Tories who resented the idea of a federalized European Union, because it limited the power they would hold on achieving their destiny of heading the government of the UK. However, Britain’s pro-Brexit politicians were by no means all Oxford-educated Tories. Furthermore, whatever their true motives, pro-Brexit politicians caught the mood of a large swathe of the population, many of whom were alarmed by large-scale net migration to the overcrowded UK from mainland Europe under the EU’s ‘freedom of movement’ provisions.

The book offers a fascinating theory that the ruling elite in UK (Cameron, Osborne, Johnson, Gove, Rees Mogg) were all destined for ‘high office’ simply because of their Eaton-Oxford Union pathway. It is mostly convincing and a light read about a potentially deep, heavy subject!

Enlightening for a secondary modern , leeds university and Huddersfield Polytechnic graduate because it provides an incite into an unknown alternative reality from mine. However it is depressing because it reveals the shallowness, small mindedness, incompetence and exclusiveness of OUR ruling class to a degree i was surprised at.Well written and a good read.

Had a quick look and I think the recipient will enjoy it.

Very good description of Boris Johnson's social milieu

Still, a ruling class which looks after it's own interests and is self-perpetuating runs the UK largely for its own purposes. This book targets a group who are mostly part of a well-know, right-leaning clique as a result of where they were educated. Many are in the Tory party, but it points at a wider societal problem.Either way, we end up with a detached caste driven by myths of King Arthur and England's green and pleasant land (which is for their own use, primarily) mis-ruling the country. Solutions aren't offered, but the evidence presented suggests: as long as the rich can pay for their kids to get on to a privileged bandwagon, the cycle of class separation and differentiated opportunity will only continue.This book is not particularly for socialists. It provides evidence for anyone what needs to change for people, wherever they come from, to get to the top. Where we all need them.Interesting, well researched, entertainingly written.

I adore Simon Kuper’s articles but found this a little dull and repetitive after a while. Interesting bits though

Not at all surprisedprised in fact more surprised that the electorate keeps falling for the same awful joke and even worse will defend the Chums blindly.