During yesterday’s PMQs Boris Johnson made a comment that left many at home tearing their hair out.
He twice said that the children of wealthy parents can afford private tutoring; because their parents work hard!
Boris Johnson twice says that children of wealthy parents have access to private tutoring “because of their parents’ hard work”.
— Ben Kentish (@BenKentish) June 9, 2021
PM: “The kids of well-off parents – thanks to their hard work – have been able to rely on private tutoring. What the government is now doing is coming in on the side of all the other kids who don’t get access to that tutoring.”
— Ben Kentish (@BenKentish) June 9, 2021
Even for a man who flew into the G7 summit in Cornwall, rather than getting the train, to discuss climate change, this was a very insensitive comment.
G7 meeting
Ahead of the G7 meeting the PM was told he must ‘respect the rule of law’ by fully implementing post-Brexit arrangements for Northern Ireland, by EU leaders.
Charles Michel, the president of the European Council, said the behaviour of the prime minister was of increasing concern to EU member states. “It’s paramount to implement what we have decided – this is a question of rule of law,” he said.
Johnson is to hold a trilateral meeting with Michel and the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, in Cornwall.
Also president Biden ordered US officials to hand Boris Johnson an unprecedented diplomatic rebuke for endangering the Northern Ireland peace process over Brexit, it has emerged.
Beauty spot
So it hasn’t been the greatest start for the PM and the Cornish weather has also scuppered a trip by US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Boris Johnson to a coastal beauty spot.
The two leaders were due to meet at Saint Michael’s Mount, a castle on a tidal island off the coast of Cornwall, for their talks ahead of the G7 summit.
Reports suggested their wives, Carrie Johnson and First Lady Jill Biden, were also due to have a tour of the island while the leaders discussed issues including Brexit, the coronavirus pandemic and climate change.
Reactions
1.
The greatest myth of British politics is that those who have the greatest advantages have earned them. I certainly haven’t and neither has Johnson. https://t.co/RQ9iKv9juw
— Sam Freedman (@Samfr) June 9, 2021
2.
Millions of people who have kept us going through last 16 months – healthcare workers, bus drivers, supermarket staff, delivery drivers – can’t afford private tuition.
— Real Britain (@realbritainros) June 9, 2021
I guess they should have worked a bit harder. https://t.co/zPK5jNPU9T
3.
Grafter. https://t.co/ULjN8p2dOx pic.twitter.com/rG7PqvQPfS
— 🥛🇬🇧Michael Govern Ready🇬🇧🥛 (@mikegove12) June 9, 2021
4.
Some parents can’t afford tutors for their children, but Boris Johnson thinks children should simply choose wealthier parents, like he did.
— paul bassett davies (@thewritertype) June 9, 2021
5.
Johnson’s assertion kids of wealthier parents enjoy private tuition “because of their parents’ hard work” reeks of snobbery.
— Kevin Maguire (@Kevin_Maguire) June 9, 2021
Does the PM think lower paid cleaners, bus drivers, shop workers, nurses, etc don’t work hard?
6.
Especially big slap in the face for low-paid, hard-working nurses and carers etc whose wages are controlled by Johnson https://t.co/dmhBLswyfW
— James Felton (@JimMFelton) June 9, 2021
7.
Well, this is just massively offensive to the millions of parents working their arses off to put food on the table. 56% of people in poverty in the UK are in working families. It’s just utter bollocks to think that only the rich work hard. https://t.co/94RN70KeQi
— Daniel Sohege (@stand_for_all) June 9, 2021
8.
Well, this is just massively offensive to the millions of parents working their arses off to put food on the table. 56% of people in poverty in the UK are in working families. It’s just utter bollocks to think that only the rich work hard. https://t.co/94RN70KeQi
— Daniel Sohege (@stand_for_all) June 9, 2021
9.
If you can’t afford private tuition for your children, it’s because you don’t work hard. Apparently. https://t.co/H35dfOvrwD
— James O’Brien (@mrjamesob) June 9, 2021
10.
Constant narrative that wealth is the result of hard work.
— mika dehaan 💙 (@emmdeeaitch) June 9, 2021
Not wealthy? Aww what a shame you didn’t have the common decency to work harder.
Absolutely revolting attitude.
11.
Rich coming from a ‘rich, Etonian boy’ who can’t afford his own child care, wall paper, settees, furniture or food.
— Pauline Snaith 💙 (@SnaithPauline) June 9, 2021
12.
We have to remember that when a Tory MP talks about achievement through hard work, what they really mean is privilege of birth.
— ChEng (@Madam_Im_Adam78) June 9, 2021
Related: ‘Find you courage BBC’: Clip of Johnson promising seamless trade between GB and NI goes viral
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