A Tory MP Declares He Doesn't Believe In 'Nationalising Children' And People Are Very Confused

A Conservative MP has made clear he doesn’t believe in “nationalising children” in an apparent attack on proposals to extend free school meals for the poorest over the holidays.

On Wednesday, MPs voted against a measure spearheaded by England football star Marcus Rashford which called for the scheme to be extended over school holidays until Easter 2021.

The Manchester United player told politicians to “stop stigmatising, judging and pointing fingers” after Labour’s motion was defeated by 261 votes to 322, a majority of 61.

The debate preceding the vote was marked by Conservative MPs criticising the Rashford-led campaign because of its association with “celebrities”.

Perhaps the stand-out comment came from Bassetlaw MP Brendan Clarke-Smith, who said he did not believe in “nationalising children”.

He told the Commons: “Where is the slick PR campaign encouraging absent parents to take some responsibility for their children?

“I do not believe in nationalising children.

“Instead, we need to get back to the idea of taking responsibility, and this means less celebrity virtue-signalling on Twitter by proxy and more action to tackle the real causes of child poverty.”

The comment, to put it charitably, raised eyebrows.

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