The problem is Nick, she could have said it was poorly phrased and apologised. In stead she starting spouting a load of guff about how she was talking about the British Empire. That's why it became a bigger story than arguably it should have. Not so much the initial tweet, plenty of people have cocked up in 140 characters but her piss poor response.

Been done to death? ok then. Austerity has been done to death, UKIP (who I abhor)has been donme to death, the NHS done to death. So lets not talk about those either eh?

For the record, I have no problem in principle to people sending their kids to private schools. The system should be tweaked but as I say, in principle no problem. However as you have raised it, don't you find it odd someone so vehemently against private education should chose to use it?

Shadow Health Minister Diane Abbott has apologised for any offence caused by comments she made on Twitter, after claims they were racist.

She said she had not meant to generalise when she wrote: ''White people love playing 'divide & rule'".

It was a response to criticism of media use of "black community leaders" after the Stephen Lawrence murder trial.

In a statement, Ms Abbott said: "I apologise for any offence caused.

"I understand people have interpreted my comments as making generalisations about white people. I do not believe in doing that."
[Link]

When was colonialism? - during the 'empire years' One would expect, as a black person, Abbott to havedifferent perspective on this period of time to a white person.

The NHS is in crisis, there is an on off junior doctors strike; austerity is recently being seen by some conservatives for what it is and the effects are wide reaching. I'm sure there was some news about UKIP yesterday. These things are complex and fluid.

Whenever Abbott is in the news , like being picked as shadow home secretary (possibly a mistake on Corbyn's part as her reputation seems shot)- the same single events are trotted out as ammunition against her.

What can you tell me about Abbotts position on anything? Probably nothing because the media play the person.

She wanted the best for her son. I am vehemently against grammar schools yet my son goes to one because that was his preferred choice and the one myself and Mrs Gusset thought he'd do well at. I'm not going to impede my sons ambitions - that would be bad parenting - but it still doesn't stop me from wanting all schools to be great schools where people of all backgrounds can go and flourish without selection beforehand.
We are all hypocritical in one respect or another. But we need to function as best as we can in the society we exist. Someone against nuclear power isn't going to cut off their electricity because that's where the power is generated from are they?

Edited by nickgusset (07 Oct 2016 7.27pm)

Her apology was only after she realised what a s*** storm it caused

Black people have a different perspective, no problem with that but then equally that should be accepted when it's the other way around. Providing of course the argument is put forward in the right manner.

It is a lot harder to select where your electricity comes from compared to your child's education. Of course parents want what is best for their children, it would appear however that some don't want others to have the same choice.

I listened to Diane Abbott the other day after the governments announcement that there would be more doctors. She rather obviously criticised the government but when asked what Labour would do she couldn't say. It does make it hard to form an opinion about her beliefs.

I'm sure it was a Thatcher government that stopped new grammars from opening.

Nick, what do you think of the Palace academy?

I know... You couldn't make it up! Mind you I'm sure I saw on some front page that Blair was going to be in charge of Europe.

I do listen to the podcast from time to time and generally enjoy it though sometimes it lacks a bit of direction and drifts. You are actually quite good on it

Anyhow the point of me asking is simple, why is it ok to streamline gifted sportsmen & women but not the academically bright? Surely whatever gift a child has, they should have the opportunity to flourish in said discipline?

100 per cent agree.

My mate, though, cleverly has managed to coach his son into the local top grammar school by hiring the right out of school tutors because he can afford to in order for his boy to pass the tough entrance exam.

The more academically gifted but not so well off would perhaps not be lucky enough to have that advantage.

I'm assuming loads of parents who can afford it do it too. Get their not so bright kid into the good school.

Big chest and massive boobs

[Link]

I'm sure that plenty do it and that's a flaw in the system. As with my sports analogy there should be a "scouting system" that doesn't rely on someone's ability to pass a test.

My daughter is not particularly academic, she has danced since she was 4 and is at a school with a performing bias. She had to audition to get in as we are on the far side of the borough. She will never be good enough to dance professionally but she is getting a good grounding in the various disciplines including stage lighting, make up, sound etc. She would like to do professional make up when she is older. I am not sure she would have found something she is so passionate about at a normal comp.

..very soon children will be plugged into a computer, the computer will decide where they go.