Parents won’t take Labour’s attack on private schools lying down

As citizens of an orderly state, we allow ourselves to be taxed. We fork out for council tax so that local services function. When it comes to income tax, some may grit their teeth, but we hope it gets funnelled towards the greater good. We accept, though perhaps dislike, ‘sin taxes’ on cigarettes and booze. We don’t pay VAT on virtuous things, such as books, private healthcare and opera tickets, because these should be available to the widest possible audience.

Which brings me to school fees: what could be more virtuous than educating your child in the best manner possible? Well, that’s not the thinking of the Labour party. Sir Keir Starmer will, should he win the next election, slap the Very Annoying Tax on school fees, thus putting your child’s French and history lessons on the same level as a packet of Benson & Hedges.