I believe in meritocracy that is not limited to academic excellence.

“Meritocracy” means “an elite group of people whose progress is based purely on ability and talent rather than on class, privilege or wealth” (dictionary.com).

I was utterly dismayed when I read that what I’d “tweeted” had been twisted and slanted to create a very different picture.

Yesterday’s Daily Mirror stated “A Tory election candidate has exposed her party’s elitism – by insisting Labour is wrong to give ordinary kids the chance of a university education.”  I wrote and believe no such thing. I believe passionately that everyone, regardless of wealth, privilege or class should be encouraged and given the opportunity to go to university if it will enhance their lives and help them to achieve their goals and ambitions. I do not believe however that university suits everyone and I feel that many young people would benefit more from learning a skill via apprenticeships or other vocational course.

Currently, our students have to pay a great deal of money to gain their degrees at universities and many cannot find a job at the end of it. Often, they leave uni saddled with a debt of over £16,000, with a degree that whilst possibly academically challenging is of little value to future employers and thus they have difficulty in finding a job. Yet those who choose to leave school, acquire a skill and start to earn a living are made to feel as though they’re second class citizens.

Everyone in society is valuable, worthy and can earn a living without necessarily needing a degree from a university to justify their existence.

I am saddened that Labour MP, Jessica Morden has made unfounded accusations of class elitism against me and my party.

I am from Pentre in the Rhondda Valley and grew up in a typical terraced house with an outside toilet. I went to the local primary school and then to the local comprehensive school. I grew up in a Labour held valley where many people aspired to and achieved a university place. After leaving school a great number chose to apply for work in any one of the then thriving factories (under a then Tory government). Those factories used to produce the majority of clothes for Marks and Spencer’s…yes, they DID used to be made in the UK and there were valuable employment opportunities. We weren’t starting out in life saddled with debt. We wanted to enhance our life chances through study or skill learning and via the grant system were given every opportunity to do so freely.  Everything was dependant on ability only.

We must not let young people feel failures in society just because they don’t go on to university and acquire a degree. We have a duty of care to all of our young in society, to ensure we provide every learning opportunity to prepare them for the future to which  they aspire, enjoy and succeed within,  whatever that may be. University or apprenticeships.  Earning a living is worthy. We will always need electricians and we will always need scientists. One is as important as the other in our society.

As for the host of other inaccuracies in the Mirror report and the Western Mail, e.g. my music etc.,that can wait for another day. This time I’ll give the reporter 3/10 for effort. 
“Could do better”