Thursday, 9th October 2008

The opportunity to address the Political Society at Eton College was an event I had been looking forward to for some time.

It was my first visit to the school and I enjoyed a brief guided tour of the old buildings, finding the chapel particularly impressive. This was followed by a splendid dinner at one of the Houses.
 
The meeting began at 8:45 pm.  Attendance was entirely voluntary, but, when I arrived at the venue, there was standing room only, and the stewards were looking for extra chairs.  A very good start, I thought.
 
I spoke for about 25 minutes on why the UK would be better-off outside the EU, and why, if that Old Etonian David Cameron became Prime Minister, he would hold office, but not exercise any real power.  After that, the questions came thick and fast, and I was enjoying myself immensely:  I told the students that, at the end of the hour, we would conduct our own little referendum on EU-membership; and I encouraged people to put the other side of the argument.
 
When I called for the division, there was a three-to-one majority in favour of leaving the EU.  Perhaps, this helps to explain why Young Independence is now getting off the ground.
 
Afterwards, I asked if David Cameron had spoken to the Society, and the answer came, "No, apparently he is too busy."
 
More likely, in my view, is that he does not want his privileged background to be emphasised.
 
If I had been educated at Eton, I would be very proud of the fact.

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