A teenage supporter of Jeremy Corbyn who has been accused of hypocrisy on social media for accepting a scholarship to Eton has told his critics that he will use his education to “go out and tackle injustice”.
Sixteen-year-old Hasan Patel, a self-described socialist and avid supporter of the Labour leader, has accepted a £76,000 scholarship to study at Eton College, whose former pupils include Princes William and Harry, Boris Johnson and David Cameron.
Patel, who has amassed a large Twitter following criticising the Conservative government, said the response to the news has largely been supportive, but admitted that some had accused him of hypocrisy.
Several months ago, Patel criticised Eton’s “absurd and corrupt” charitable status, tweeting that it gave the school an unfair advantage over state schools struggling with budget cuts.
Private schools such as Eton will save £522m in tax over the next 5 years thanks to their absurd and corrupt charitable status. Meanwhile ‘peasants’ like me who attend ordinary state schools have teachers spending their own money on basic equipment such as glue sticks.
— Hasan Patel🌹 (@CorbynistaTeen) August 27, 2018
“I can understand why people would say I’m hypocritical because I’m allowing myself to benefit from this education,” Patel said. “But I’m trying to build a better life for myself. I think Eton has resources to educate me to give me better life chances so I’m well equipped to go out and tackle the injustices that pervade society.”
Patel said he was shocked to find out he won a place at the school. “I sat down for a few minutes and tried to process it. It hit me and I was really excited,” he said, adding his parents were incredibly pleased for him. “My dad was really happy. He told me when he was in India he didn’t get to go to college because he couldn’t afford it. He moved to the UK to get a better life for himself and his family,” he said.
In response to claims he was a “champagne socialist”, he pointed out: “My free school meals don’t serve champagne.”
I’ve been called a “champagne socialist” because I’ve been offered a scholarship to Eton College.
— Hasan Patel🌹 (@CorbynistaTeen) January 21, 2019
1. I’m Muslim. Most of us don’t drink.
2. My free school meals don’t serve champagne. 🤷♂️https://t.co/psRsg6xDPN
Nonetheless, he said that accepting the scholarship had not changed his views of private schools, which he still believes give people an unfair advantage in society. When asked whether private schools should be abolished, he said he did not know. “I wish I knew the solution myself. I don’t have a plan set up. I do know that state schools aren’t given the resources they need at the moment to succeed,” he said.
He described the application process for the scholarship as “daunting” – he had to complete three entrance exams and eight interviews over two days. “Just the whole idea of Eton as a place scared me. I didn’t think I would be good enough,” he said.
Saeed Hussain, Patel’s headteacher, said: “Hasan is an incredible inspiration to his peers and an exceptional young man, with huge potential. Hasan’s scholarship serves as a reminder to all of us that it does not matter where you come from or who you are, if you are determined then you will succeed.”
Patel was told by many supporters to not let Eton change who he is. “I can see why they’d say that. A lot of people see Eton as a training ground for top bankers and elite professionals. They think my politics would change because I’d be under quite a lot of pressure to conform,” he said, but adds there’s no reason to worry. “I doubt I’ll ever become a Tory.”
In fact, he’s looking forward to the debates. “I might end up taking a few students along to a local Labour party meeting,” he said.
