It's the character, stupid

John

How many of the liberal elite pooh pooh religion and Christianity in particular yet want their children educated there because of the standards. It just shows the hypocrisy of their cause.

Ian C

He said something along these lines in his last interview on the Andrew Marr show. The impression given was that he was trying to make the "active citizens" point rather than defend tyhe undefensible. An example of how careful politicians have to be - in this case perhaps, his response being taken in a context different to that which he had interpreted the question. Your point is made Melanie but I think this may be a case of the media creating a story rather than there being one.

Geoff Miller

These patent truths have been known for a very long time. However the politicised feminisation of education has deliberately worked to the disadvantage of boys so as to tilt the playing field towards girls. Boys are discouraged from behaving like boys, female traits are praised whilst male traits are derided. Male role models in education, esp. primary, have all but been eradicated. Subjects have been made female friendly and male interests denied. The outcome? Boys have been cut adrift from education. Their energy, dynamism and risk taking behaviour smothered. Their health damaged, life prospects reduced and a rise in their disengagement from society. Well done all you Liberals. What was obvious for years to anyone with an ounce of common sense was incomprehensible to you. Lets just hope you "bump into" a group of feral boys one dark night and reap your rewards - unless, like Jacquie Spliff MP, you have your minders with you

David

Unfortunately we live in the post-modern age. One of the features of this age is that truth is irrelevant, always. Is your political dogma based on a lie? Don't worry, we'll make repeating the lie compulsory at school and nobody will notice. Do you want to advertise a new product? Well don't even think about saying whether the product is better or worse than any other one on the market, sell it as part of a cool, fashionable lifestyle. Hypocrisy is the greatest virtue of the postmodern age. Truth is its greatest vice.

Tas Walker

The other take-home message comes out of this question: 'Why are the Christian church schools better?' Is it because they have more money? Better students? Perhaps it is because the secular philosophy of the government does not work.

Richard

Just about all Christians "pretend" to beleive to some degree thats what makes it such an easy going religion - keep on pretending!

Verity

Melanie makes a very apt point. Cameron, a politician, should not be seen defending lying under any circumstances. There were other ways to address this ... other language ... but I fear Cameron is not quick witted enough to consider the consquences and talk at the same time. I also wish he would stop trying to be American, using words like "kids". Senior American politicians don't talk in cheap slang. They say "children" or "young people". Richard, what is your source, please, for your extraordinary statement?

Tas Walker

Richard: I suggest you go to a Bible believing church and talk to some of the folk who belong. You'll find that genuine believers really do believe.

claudia apicella

iF HE LIED, I SAY 'IF' as i did not hear him nor see the interview, he is doing what all the NULABS have done for years beginning with BLIAR the biggest liar of all. No more moral compass exists it seems with anyone, especially the so-called 'honourable gentelemen' of the government.

Nick

But Melanie, we can't all afford to send our children to St Paul's. This fact probably escapes you seeing as you think such schools cater for the 'middle classes'rather than the elite.

Nick

But Melanie, we can't all afford to send our children to St Paul's. This fact probably escapes you seeing as you think such schools cater for the 'middle classes'rather than the elite.

Hereford

Well let's face it. If our politicians stopped lying and told the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth: "I/We don't give a fig about you prols, I/we are in it for the power and the money and, frankly, we will sell every one of you into slavery if that's what it takes to maintain our position as a political elite." They would never get elected. The problem is that the very people who are attracted to a political career are the last people you can trust to run your country for the benefit of the population.

Nick

But Melanie, we can't all afford to send our children to St Paul's. This fact probably escapes you seeing as you think such schools cater for the 'middle classes'rather than the elite.

David

And if he'd have criticised them, you'd have condemned him for slating had working parents only trying to gain the best education they can within a poor system.

Frank Pulley

You don't have to shout it three times, Nick, we heard you the first time. (I thought these comments were invigilated!)

C Powell

Oh get real! Parents try do their best for their children and are forced into unpalatable choices / beggaring themselves to get their children a decent education because the State has proved so woeful at the task. And what do we get from Labour and its apologists: endless blame on "middle-class" parents, our desire to help our children, our aspirations etc. We're made to feel like some sort of social criminal for doing what's praiseworthy and normal in most other sensible countries. I'm fed up with being blamed for all the ills of society just because I try to make sure my children are well-brought up, properly educated and able to become decent members of society. At least Cameron didn't (on this occasion) give the impression that we're somehow worthy of contempt for trying to do the right thing. I'd like a politician who's on our side for once, who says that aspiration is good, that parents who want the best for their children are good parents (whatever their class), who speaks up for the decent, silent but increasingly fed up majority. Labour won't do it - indeed are in the process of trying to dismantle what few good schools there are and will then move onto universities, nor will the Liberal Democrats so Cameron is better than nothing.

Alan

Dave - what do you say to the child whose future has just been stolen because someone else's parent cheated to get a place at the school?