Columnist Peter Hitchens has defended remarks made by Kemi Badenoch, describing Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson as a "spiteful class warrior." Hitchens contends that the description, which drew criticism, is "perfectly accurate" and "mild" when compared to historical political insults, such as Nye Bevan's characterization of Tories as "lower than vermin."
Hitchens wrote in July 2024 that Phillipson was the "chilly public face of the spiteful tax raid on independent schools," which he described as one of Labour's "nastiest policies." He argued that this tax was designed to target the middle class and appease Labour members who oppose independent schools.
Furthermore, Hitchens noted Phillipson's actions to "weaken protection of free speech in universities." He expressed doubt that she would defend liberty if the government pursued state press regulation, and speculated she would not embrace a "Spiteful Class Warrior" T-shirt, as it would be "true" and thus not witty.
In addition to his comments on Phillipson, Hitchens touched on other political matters. He recalled debating Andrew Burnham, the current premier, at the Cambridge Union in March 2013, where Burnham defended the New Labour movement and the Blair government's invasion of Iraq.
Hitchens also raised concerns about the case of an American airman accused of a crime against a British woman on British soil. The case was investigated by U.S. military police and tried in a U.S. court-martial, which Hitchens suggested makes Britain appear like an "American colony." He stated that the extradition treaty between Britain and the U.S. has long been considered heavily biased towards America.
Finally, Hitchens questioned the actions of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle in abruptly ending a discussion raised by Tory shadow leader of the House of Commons, Jesse Norman. Norman was raising questions about the conviction of Lucy Letby, stating there was "no witnesses, no CCTV footage, no forensic evidence and no confession." Hoyle cut Norman off mid-sentence, citing time limits, despite allowing a lengthy exchange on the same case between Steve Barclay and Wes Streeting after Letby's conviction in September 2023. Hitchens found the Speaker's reaction to Norman "unfortunate."