Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson stated she will transform an insult from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch into a T-shirt slogan, asserting that the label "spiteful class warrior" is fitting if it aligns with efforts to lift children out of poverty.
Badenoch attacked Phillipson at Prime Minister's Questions, accusing her of being a "spiteful class warrior" for proposing a tax on private school fees to fund more teachers in state schools, while claiming teacher numbers have declined. Badenoch later intensified the exchange on social media, stating Phillipson was "sacrificing the future of generations of kids on the altar of your class envy."
In response to the comments on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Phillipson declared, "Next time you see me, Nick, I'll be wearing a T-shirt saying 'spiteful class warrior' - because if being a spiteful class warrior means lifting half a million children out of poverty I'll be wearing that t-shirt with pride." She added that Badenoch had previously compared her to a Gestapo officer and characterized Badenoch's politics as "unpleasant" and "highly personalised abuse."
Phillipson's remarks come amid a broader debate on political discourse. She recently faced questions about hypocrisy after accusing Conservative shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy of racism for his comments regarding a Muslim public prayer. Phillipson had described Timothy's remarks as "appalling racism towards Muslims" and stated he "should have been sacked" by the Leader of the Opposition. Timothy denies his comments were racist.
Sir Keir Starmer defended Phillipson, expressing pride in her role as education secretary. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy also defended Phillipson, emphasizing that his cabinet is largely comprised of individuals educated in state schools and motivated by tackling poverty and extending opportunity, rather than spite.