Is the class war over? In terms of the "old" class system, yes, argues Danny Dorling in this week's cover story (page 24). There are still divisions, he says, but these are now determined by wealth.
Considering all the fuss over the Eton education of many leading Tories, one might suppose the old class system to be alive and kicking. Yet Dorling is correct to point out that class diminishes as men increasingly aspire to appear as Ubiquitous Bloke. Fusty strictures for gentlemen such as "never wear brown in town" mean nothing to anyone under 50. And what does the old school tie signify if no one wears ties any more?
Yet the social markers of previous centuries cast long shadows. Trevor Phillips has just called for his Equality and Human Rights Commission to be given powers to address the class divide. The NS's Kevin Maguire continues his hard-hitting investigation into whether George Osborne bought his Bullingdon Club tailcoat while at Oxford or - the shame! - hired it.
If class as we knew it is disappearing, one should admit that its hideous unfairness also produced some wonderful eccentrics, such as the Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava, whose farm near Belfast has won a contract to supply organic yoghurt to Sainsbury's. Asked recently which market she hoped to target, Lady Dufferin, a member of the Guinness family, replied: "I haven't a clue: I've never been shopping." Good riddance to class, but hats off to her.
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