A curious, but perhaps predictable, response was quoted in the BBC's coverage of last week's anti-war walkout and protest by school students. A deputy head of one school fulminated against, you guessed it, the irresponsible behaviour of the protesters. And said, in the deeply minatory tones of deputy heads everywhere, that they "will be in a lot of trouble when they get back".
You can hear the guffaws. Young people take direct political action in a cause they feel passionately about, and a pompous adult issues fine-sounding but wishy-washy threats. Big trouble. Big deal.
The opposing point was well put by one 14-year-old from Birmingham who wagged off school to join the demo. Jacob Hunt Stewart told the press that his dad believes he is mature enough to make his own decision about taking part in a protest. Since his dad is Lord Hunt, health minister and member of the cabinet, this is particularly heart-warming news. Good on them both.
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