BOOKSHOP BARNIE WITH PETER HITCHENS: ‘A REVOLUTION BETRAYED’

This popular session filmed at the Battle of Ideas is a bit different as there is no panel, it's Peter Hitchens discussing his book on education with masterful questioning by Austin Williams and an enthusiastic audience.
In his latest book, A Revolution Betrayed: How egalitarians wrecked the British education system, Peter Hitchens describes the misjudgements made by politicians over the years that have led to the increase in class distinction and privilege in our education system, exploring the history of, and contemporary conditions at, independent, grammar and comprehensive schools. He argues that by trying to bring about an educational system which is egalitarian over the years, politicians have created a system which is the exact opposite.
The speaker is:
Peter Hitchens - columnist, The Mail on Sunday; author, A Revolution Betrayed: how egalitarians wrecked the British education system
The chair is: Austin Williams - director, Future Cities Project; honorary research fellow, XJTLU, Suzhou, China; author, China’s Urban Revolution; convenor, Critical Subjects Architecture School
This discussion was filmed by volunteers working with Worldwrite at the Battle of Ideas festival 2023. Please help ensure the charity is able to edit a further 32 debates by hitting the THANKS button above and donating whatever you can afford.

[@importantjohn]

Great to see Ray Winstone and Peter Hitchens together. Two of my favourite people.

[@malcolmboyd3503]

Brilliant comments by Mr. Hitchens

[@eddyk2016]

Peter needs to have his own podcast or his own channel, history & politics and current affairs. That would be very popular

[@edwardcatt2399]

I don’t think he’d consider it necessary. He already (rightly), considers his own books as a collective tome chronicling the provenance of Britain’s economic and social decline so he’d basically just say, ‘Read what I wrote twenty years ago!’ . . .

[@eddyk2016]

@@edwardcatt2399 I disagree with that. I think it would be good if he made documentaries, instead of just seeing him on a panel format arguing with others. Maybe just him. I would like him to write his memoirs, time he spent in Russia, he is, despite being very cranky, a decent chap

[@edwardcatt2399]

@@eddyk2016 - I actually don’t find him particularly ’cranky’, but I see where where you’re coming from. He has a polite but firm assertiveness about him for sure.

[@eddyk2016]

@@edwardcatt2399If you look up the word cranky in the dictionary, you will see Peter’s face.
Yes, he does come across a really decent man. He’s very honest. What I really admire about him, is that he is the complete opposite of a people pleaser. He has given me the spur, to speak my mind and never, agree to the ideology or views of the mob/sheep

[@persona8991]

Where was this?

[@lee4171]

Definitely not Scotland.

[@SagaciousFrank]

​​@@lee4171, that much was clear.

[@GreenOilBike]

Here is a question: Is the end goal Inequality, but not inequality based on if your parents can afford private school or a house in a good school area...etc.... but Inequality based on 1) How intelligently born you are. 2) Testosterone / progesterone levels : Which define how long and hard you can work.
This is a better and fairer form of inequality for sure. SN

[@charlieweaver6322]

Whose end goal are you talking about?

[@qqyoung2899]

All societies are unequal and always will be.

[@Rootle2]

It's about equality of opportunity. Everyone should have the chance to achieve their personal highest potential

[@GreenOilBike]

I agree, 100% Equality of opportunity is important. Playing Devil's advocate, it's still an inequality, just based on intelligence etc instead. Which is better for sure.@@Rootle2

[@goldenboy06]

Yes…the great tragedy of inequality of ability. Very costly for those without any.

[@Daniel-gb3en]

The guy hosting this is rather irritating.

[@MrMjp58]

The host is chirpy, but trying too hard.