Brian Cullen

Our low expectations

Today’s Times tells the heart-warming story of Alex Griffiths who was kidnapped as an infant and has now achieved an A and two Bs at A-level to win her place at university.  The story certainly has the feel-good factor, but one part struck me as depressing:

“Her mother, Dawn Griffiths, a nanny from Middlesbrough, was paid £110,000 for the story, but rather than spend it, she put all the money into a fund to give her daughter the education that she never had. The sacrifice – which allowed Alex to attend a private boarding school with fees of more than £6,000 a term – paid off.”

Sacrifice? Alex’s mother’s decision to spend the money on education was certainly laudable.  She could have made life much more comfortable for herself with the money – in fact she lived in council housing while she saved the money.

But it’s her decision (not any sacrifice) we must praise – she seized an opportunity that most never get presented with. 

Get Britain's best politics newsletters

Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.

Already a subscriber? Log in

Comments

Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.

Already a subscriber? Log in