Upper-class darling of the metropolitan elite

Michael Collins says Harriet Harman’s drive for equal rights has resulted in the divisive identity politics that so alienates traditional working-class Labour voters

EVEN BEFORE HARRIET HARMAN married the trade unionist and Labour MP Jack Dromey, she felt the need to tone down her accent. Born on Harley Street to a barrister mother and doctor father, she was educated at St Paul’s Girls’ School. Her family tree extends from illustrious politicians to the descendants of high-profile peers: Neville Chamberlain is in there, along with numerous countesses and earls; David Cameron is a relative; Boris Johnson’s godmother, Lady Rachel Billington, is her cousin. Johnson is central to what is likely to be Harman’s last major role as a parliamentarian (our longest-serving female MP is retiring after 40 years) as chair of the House of Commons Privileg-es Committee investigating “Partygate”. The forthcoming hearing could bury what remains of Johnson’s reputation. Politically, he is the antithesis…

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The Critic (Digital) - 1 Issue, November 2022

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