Members of a campaign group opposing plans to apply VAT to private school fees have attacked Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson with personal abuse, accusing her of embracing the tactics of Nazi Germany and branding her ” “cruel pirate.”
A bitter row has emerged over the government's proposed policy which will increase class sizes in state schools amid claims from opponents that some parents will not pay fees when 20% VAT is added in January.
However, Taxes, not education: a series of messages in a private Facebook group run by the campaign organization Parents Against School Fees VAT (ENT) the observerHe launched personal attacks against Phillipson, with some calling for a boycott of one of his constituent events.
More extreme news stories compared the VAT policy to persecution in Nazi Germany. One message reads: “In the 1930s, Germany targeted the Jewish minority based on their perceived privilege. Bridget Phillipson. Like you're chasing 500,000 kids at a private school. Who cares? Firstly, they are only 7% and secondly, they are not Keir Starmer's children.
In response, another member responded, “Well said.” Another chimed in: “No one is 'behind' the top 7% of kids (certainly not like you imply).”
A separate message: “Nazi Germany again?”
Phillipson has also been described as a “horrible woman”, “a bad queen”, “a complete bitch” and “scum”. Plans to meet with “signs” outside a bloc event were discussed, with one member saying: “I hope some people can attend and give 'what' in both barrels.” Another said: “One day you wait [Phillipson] putrefaction.”
The group's organizers said they did their best to moderate comments, but as a volunteer organization that's not always possible.
However, the comments stand out. the observer They are now being eliminated. There is already a post warning members not to post derogatory posts.
“The featured posts do not reflect much of the discussion on the Facebook page, which is civil and focused on the real harm this policy is causing to thousands of families,” said Lavna Tandon, a spokesperson for the group. “We constantly remind our more than 23,000 members to keep posts respectful.
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“We do our best to manage 1,400 comments each day and without dedicated staff it is a challenge. We do not tolerate the language in these posts and work hard to moderate content in line with our values.
“We are also deeply concerned by the divisive stance taken by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and Bridget Phillipson. A State that encourages labor abuse, creates a toxic environment and liberates school-age children.
“We urge the government to end this harmful rhetoric and meet with parents affected by the proposed policy. Despite several requests, we have yet to receive a meeting with the Secretary of Education.
Some users in the group also documented the steps they had to take to pay the inflated fees. One said they had “canceled the RSPB and my National Trust membership”, another said they had given up a kitchen job and a third had “cancelled a new driveway”.
Ministers say money from the VAT increase will be spent on 6,500 new teachers, better support for children's mental health and breakfast clubs for all primary schools.
Opponents of the policy have warned that plans will be rushed and public schools will be strained, children with special educational needs and disabilities will suffer, as will children from military families and those of lesser religious beliefs.
The Independent Schools Council (ISC), which cited the campaign group in some of its social media posts, distanced itself from the irregularities.
“The ISC has no official association with the ENT,” he said. “We do not tolerate offensive or abusive comments; They have no place in this debate. We strongly condemn the use of offensive language in featured comments. the observer.
“In addition to being objectionable, these posts distract from the real and legitimate concerns parents have about the future of their children's education.
“We will continue to raise these concerns in our efforts to urge the government to delay the introduction of VAT on fees and minimize its impact on schools and families.”
