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More than a fifth of Conservative Candidates went to Private School

The Tories have been criticised over a lack of diversity among their Parliamentary candidates - as nearly three quarters of them are men.

Of those hoping to join Theresa May’s team on Friday, the majority are white males and more than a fifth went to private school - compared to just 7% of the population as a whole.

Labour said the Tories’ selection of candidates ‘stands in stark contrast’ to the demographics of UK voters.

A full analysis of the Conservatives’ 639 candidates shows:

- 28% are women.

- Over a fight (22%) were privately educated.

- 17% went to Oxbridge (compared to just 1% of the general population).

 - A tenth have previously worked in the financial services industry.

- About 15% have previously worked as Conservative Party staff or for Tory politicians.

Theresa May has previously said her party needs to ‘show a different face’ to voters and improve diversity among candidates.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/tories-under-fire-after-analysis-reveals-three-quarters-of-candidates-are-men-and-a-fifth-went-to-private-school_uk_5936ac60e4b013c4816af6bb?ir=UK+Politics&utm_hp_ref=uk-politics&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=dlvr.it

See also: Conservative manifesto launch: Private schools will be forced to sponsor state sector or lose charitable status

‘We all need challenges and adversity in life; being happy all the time is not psychologically healthy.’

Vi Gandhi, Head of Psychology at Trent College, argues that positive psychology and drawing on character strengths gives a young person a toolbox from which to cope appropriately with whatever comes their way.

Recent research by YouGov for The Prince’s Trust showed the number of young people experiencing mental health issues is growing. In a report published in January, the charity found 41% of 2,215 16- to 25-year-olds polled felt more anxious than they did a year ago with self-confidence, including stress related to body image and coping with school/work. This figure was at its lowest in the eight years since their research began.

A follow up report found almost half of these young people said they had experienced a mental health problem but, due to the stigma around the issue, a quarter would not ask for help if they were suffering.

We all need challenges and adversity in life; being happy all the time is not psychologically healthy. Being able to draw on character strengths gives a young person a toolbox from which to cope appropriately with whatever comes their way.

Positive psychology provides a buffer to protect students against challenges that might have been a threat to their wellbeing. Only then can the stigma of mental health be lost and we will have happier students more prepared for the world.

https://www.isc.co.uk/media-enquiries/isc-blogs/we-all-need-challenges-and-adversity-in-life-being-happy-all-the-time-is-not-psychologically-healthy/