A left-wing SNP candidate whose children are educated privately is considering sending her kids to a state school.
Ash Regan-Denham made the claim during a political question and answer session in the constituency she hopes to win for the Nationalists.
The high profile Yes campaigner is the lobbyist for the socialist Common Weal think tank, whose motto is All Of Us First.
She has described the organisation’s ethos as a rejection of the “survival of the richest, winner takes all mentality”.
A Common Weal working paper on education backed removing charitable status from private schools, “with the ultimate goal of rendering them redundant”.
She was recently selected as the SNP candidate for Edinburgh Eastern, where she will go head-to-head with Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale.
However, Regan-Denham – despite having impeccable left-wing credentials – sends her own children to an elite private school.
An SNP spokesperson responded to the revelation at the time by saying that it was a “private matter”.
The issue came up recently at a “democracy day” event at Portobello High School, which is one of the state schools in the seat.
Regan-Denham, Dugdale, Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie, and Green MSP Alison Johnstone were put through their paces by young people.
After being asked by a pupil about choosing private education, Regan Denham said she was moving to Edinburgh soon and would consider a state school.
She currently lives in an “earth sheltered passivhaus” in the Borders she helped built.
If she makes the switch, the candidate will have four secondary schools to choose from in the constituency: Portobello; Holy Rood; Gracemount; and Castlebrae.
Tory MSP Murdo Fraser said: “Clearly the charge of hypocrisy is one that this SNP candidate is struggling to counter. She cannot now seem to bring herself to defend her children being educated privately, and is hinting that she might change her mind.
“The chickens are coming home to roost for another left-winger who talks a good game, but who acts in a different manner for her own family.”
Ewan Aitken, a prominent Labour member in Edinburgh, said: “State education in Scotland remains outstanding, despite facing challenges. It is a wise choice for any parent.”
An SNP spokesperson said: “Ash is fully supportive of the SNP government’s education record and our ambitious plans to reduce Scotland’s educational attainment gap. Her family’s education is a private matter reflecting family circumstances.”
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