Old School Tie Club alive and kicking: Workers Party Youth on the UK’s elite class
Although comprising only 7% of the UK population, people who went to public schools are overrepresented in elite jobs. Almost two thirds of senior judges and top brass at the military have been to public school. Slightly more than half of all senior diplomats and members of the House of Lords attended fee-paying schools as did half of all senior journalists. Similarly, only 1% of the population have attended Oxford and Cambridge universities and yet high percentages of people in powerful and well-remumerated elite positions are drawn from this tiny Oxbridge pool. The Sutton Trust is to be welcomed for regularly compiling data on elitist Britain. We note, however, that while the reports discusses 'social capital', 'cultural capital', amd business capital, capitalism - the sytem whose workings give rise to and sustain these inequalities - is left unmentioned.
Odhrán Cassidy from Workers Party Youth said the privately educated are tightening their grip on some of the most powerful and influential roles in Society according to the report.It seems that those in the most important positions are five times as likely to have attended private schools than the general population, showing it is still possible to buy advantage. The social mobility charity says it is a disgrace that most of the top jobs in the country is still being dominated by privileged people. Mr Cassidy added this privilege extends to FTSE 100 chairs, newspaper columnists, and BBC executives.
Workers Party youth says the list of those from privileged backgrounds reaches across every aspect and structures of society. That makes decisions and shapes opinions and is growing. Social mobility does not exist in sphere of influence or power.
Mr Cassidy finished by saying people from working class backgrounds whilst making up the majority of citizens cannot hope to break the stranglehold of privilege that operates under the capitalist system.
The idea of equitible social mobility within the capitalist system is a myth that most people don't buy. Polling by the Sutton Trust in 2024 showed that the general public think that class differences are as large, if not larger than in the past. 83% thought that there is a big class gap in Britain today with 63% saying it is either bigger or the same as 50 years ago.
Odhrán said that only a socialist system of society can bring about the changes needed. That will allow all citizens to thrive and fulfil their full potential in all aspects of society . Socialism offers inclusion , not the exclusion and elitism that currently exist under capitalism.
September 19th 2025