Danny Dyer lays into Boris Johnson and clique ‘who all went to same school’ in rant on Covid-hit UK
‘The people who went to Eton can’t run this country’: Danny Dyer lays into Boris Johnson and clique ‘who all went to same school’ in rant on Covid-hit UK – and says it’s ‘time for working class people to get involved’ in leadership
- Danny Dyer tore into the privately educated political elite on a morning TV show
- The EastEnders actor said politicians who went to Eton ‘can’t run the country’
- He called for more working class people to come to the political foreground
- It is not Dyer’s first comment on British politics after a previous rant on Brexit
- He laid into former PM David Cameron for calling EU referendum before quitting
Danny Dyer has once again become an unlikely political commentator two years after he famously waded into the Brexit row.
More commonly known for his role on Eastenders, the actor turned politico once again after he slammed Boris Johnson during a passionate rant about the state of Covid-hit Britain.
The 43-year-old said politicians who went to Eton are incapable of running the country and instead called for working class people to get involved in politics and use their ‘real life experience’ to run the country.
His comments prompted criticism from people on social media who accused the actor of stirring up ‘class hatred’ – despite sending his own daughter to private school.
He said: ‘We must learn now that the people who went to Eton can’t run this country.
Danny Dyer has become an unlikely political commentator two years on from wading into the Brexit row after saying politicians who went to Eton are incapable of running the country while speaking on BBC Breakfast
The EastEnders actor made the comments in a passionate rant about the state of Covid-hit Britain
‘They’ve done it, they’ve tried to do it and this small group who all went to the same school, in the same class – it doesn’t work.’
Prime Minister Boris Johnson was privately educated at Eton, as was his predecessor David Cameron.
A majority of British cabinet members serving under the current and former Prime Ministers in the last 10 years have also attended fee-paying schools.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast this morning, Dyer then called for diversity in politics and encouraged working class people to come to the political foreground.
He said: ‘I feel we need some working class peple, people who have lived a real life and people that are in touch with reality to maybe come to the front now and start getting involved in how this country is run.’
It is not the first time the actor has mouthed off about the state of British politics.
He previously called David Cameron a ‘t***’ during a discussion on Brexit, prompting calls for Dyer to step into the political ring himself.
Asked on Wednesday if he would ever consider going into politics full-time, Danny responded that he was ‘too busy’ reeling off his list of commitments including a game show and hosting a podcast with his daughter Danni.
He also referred to his role as Mick Carter in EastEnders, which he called ‘the greatest soap that has ever been’.
Dyer added: ‘Let’s watch the government unravel themselves I think.’
In a further nod to the Covid-hit nation he said: ‘Let’s just try and stay safe and not catch this thing, and I am sure on the other side we will all be better stronger and more considerate people for it.’
The comments come after the actor admitted to blagging free tuition fees at a prestigious boarding school for his daughter Dani.
Other criticised Dyer’s comments, implying that he was stirring up ‘class hatred’
Prime Minister Boris Johnson (left) was privately educated at Eton, as was his predecessor David Cameron (right)
Prime Ministers who went to Eton: List of leaders from same Berkshire school stretches back to 1721
Former Prime Minister Harold Macmillan was educated at Eton
Current Prime Minister Boris Johnson was educated at Eton college and joins a long line of PM’s who went to the fee-paying school.
His predecessor David Cameron also went to Eton, which currently costs around £42,000 per year.
Former Prime Ministers Harold Macmillan and Robert Anthony Eden also attended the Berkshire school, as did William Ewart Gladstone.
The list of PM’s who attended the prestigious school extends all the way back to Robert Walpole, who served as Prime Minsiter from 1721–1742.
And Boris Johnson, like every prime minister since 1937 who had attended university, except Gordon Brown, also studied at Oxford.
Robert Anthony Eden also attended the Berkshire school
In an interview with BBC Radio 1 from 2014, the actor said he used his celebrity status to secure a free term for Dani, then 17, at a private school.
He said he did not often use his celebrity status to bag freebies, but added: ‘I don’t do that, I don’t have to. They clock me straight away. If I get to the realms if I have to say who I am, I don’t bother.
‘I think I got a first term at private school for my kid for free.’
Admitting he would turn on the charm to secure the deal, he added: ‘I just had to show me face, go, ‘Listen I’ve got private schools begging me to come to their school, but I like the look of you.
‘It’s got a nice old feel to it this school, I like the uniform. They say, ‘You can certainly have a trial with us, Mr Dyer.’
Dyer’s comments this morning prompted an outpouring of comments on Twitter, with social media users split over the EastEnders star’s comments.
Many disagreed with Dyer, with some implying he was stirring up ‘class hatred’.
One wrote: ‘Class hatred pretty wide these days.’
Others were not so keen on Dyer’s stance on working class people running the country, instead saying the job should go to the best candidates.
Ian James Seale wrote on Twitter: ‘We need the ‘bright kids’ in charge of the country. Education, examination, experience and competence should usually go hand in hand with being a “bright kid”.
‘”Street smarts” have their value and place, but not necessarily within national government and international diplomacy.’
Graham Morby also said: ‘Whilst I agree I also disagree, we need something different, we need people to first understand our political system, understand how it works, and vote based on the party and not the person!
‘Ask many how our system works and they wont know, but they will understand the US system.’
But some were supportive with one user saying: ‘A man with a good heart and clear political perspective. Good on you Danny.’
Another wrote: ‘Eton boys get a kicking from Danny Dyer.’
One Twitter user praised him for being ‘sharp as a tack’.
Peter Woodward wrote: ‘The trouble with this “Eton” brigade in Govt is their priority of looking after their friends and own bank balances with public funds.
‘UK deeper in debt than ever, they are richer than ever, poor are poorer than ever.
‘No-one else has seen any benefit in their 10 years in govt (sic).’
Dave Jameson also posted on Twitter: ‘At last someone on TV speaking sense.
‘This government is to (sic) full of Professional politicians.
‘It needs people that have lived in the real world not in their ivory towers and spoilt world.’
Peter Woodward backed Dyer’s critics of the ‘Eton brigade’ in government
This social media user was not a fan of the thought of Dyer going into politics
Eton School near Windsor in Berkshire costs up to £42,000 per year
Dyer was also inundated with support on social media after his comments on morning TV
This social media user praised Dyer’s ‘clear political perspective’ on Twitter
The EastEnders star gave ‘a kicking’ to the politicians who went to Eton, according to this user
The outpouring of support was similar to the praise he experienced in 2018 after laying into David Cameron over his handling of Brexit
David Jameson said Dyer was ‘speaking sense’ on television over his comments
Derek on Twitter accused the political system of being ‘skewed’ to favour the ‘elite’
Serena also said: ‘This actually makes a lot of sense.
‘We need a more representative parliament and to involve people most affected by specific issues in the development of public policy.’
Dyer’s comments on Brexit were met with a similar response in 2018 when he called Cameron a ‘t***’ for calling the Brexit referendum and then resigning when he lost.
Dyer went viral after he tore into Mr Cameron over Brexit live on Good Evening Britain.
He lashed out at the ex Prime Minister for calling the divisive referendum before ‘scuttling off’ to ‘put his trotters up’.
Dyer then blasted the entire Brexit process as a ‘mad riddle’ – despite voting Leave himself.
Joe Brock wrote on Twitter ‘Brexit negotiations would definitely accelerate if we sent Danny Dyer to Brussels.’
Alex Lowe said on Twitter: ‘Danny Dyer speaks what a nation feels.’
The famous alumni of Eton College
Simon Henderson has been the headmaster of the indepdent boarding school since 2015
Eton College is a prestigious independent boarding school near Windsor in Berkshire.
Viewed as the ultimate in privilege and exclusivity, the 580-year-old school has taught princes, Prime Ministers and other notable alumni, including Prince William, Prince Harry and Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
The £42,000-a-year school was founded in 1441 and was the alma mater of 20 Prime Ministers in total, from William Ewart Gladstone to Harold Macmillan and David Cameron.
Other notable alumni include Bear Grylls and actors Tom Hiddleston, Damian Lewis and Hugh Laurie.
Current Archibishop of Canterbury Justin Welby attended the school, as did MP Hugo Swire who’s wife Sahsa has just published a tell-all book about the government.
Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg was also taught at Eton, and has sent his sons to the school.
Over 400 acres the school has more than 1,000 employees, 155 of them full-time teachers.
Simon Henderson has been the headmaster since 2015.
