I’ve always admired Diane Abbott, one of the most left-wing British MPs, though admittedly only for one thing. Many years ago she campaigned against private schools. As a good socialist this comes as part of the ideological package, and Abbott was more than happy to join in the class war against parents who are in a position to educate their children outside the state system.

However, as some readers might remember, when it came to her own school choice Ms. Abbott looked around the local state schools and decided that none of them was good enough for her own progeny. So she sent her son to the City of London School, a private school for boys. Confronted with this hypocrisy, Abbott did the sole thing that I admire her for. She admitted that the double-standard she had been caught in was indeed “indefensible.” She was a hypocrite. She admitted it and moved on.

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It is rare that someone caught in a charge of hypocrisy throws their hands in the air and says, “Yes, I’m a hypocrite.” It reminded me of the old truism that if the men in white coats come along to section you for insanity your worst line of defense is to say, “You’ve got the wrong person. I’m not mad.” Much rarer but more honest is the person who says, “Gosh I’m glad you’ve finally caught up with me. I’ve been a lunatic for years.” My point is that there is something refreshing about honesty. Especially when it is........

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