Tory Party interns forced to complete 'privilege walks' to understand white middle class advantages
A supporter's Conservative rosette
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Tory Party interns have been made to complete “privilege walks” to highlight the career advantages of the white middle class.
Interns are getting quizzed on race, gender, sexuality and disability in an attempt to help CCHQ staff identify whether they are more fortunate than their colleagues.
The exercise reportedly takes place outside the Margaret Thatcher boardroom and is run as part of a workshop led by charity the Patchwork Foundation.
The Tory Party itself was not responsible for the activity - as the Patchwork Foundation is an external organisation.
Participants in 2021 and 2022 were asked to line up before being read a series of questions and statements, The Telegraph has revealed.
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The intern who took the most steps forward was deemed the “most privileged”.
Other activities included being taught table manners and basic political trivia.
The Conservative Party internship programme lasts six weeks during the summer.
Participants can also volunteer at the Tory Party conference.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:Despite 2021 and 2022 interns taking part in the so-called “privilege walks”, it is understood that the 2023 cohort were not asked to participate.
A Conservative spokesman said: “Patchwork Foundation development days are run alongside, but are separate to, the CCHQ internship.
“These meetings are run solely by the Patchwork Foundation and are not influenced by CCHQ.”
A spokesman for the charity said: “As part of the Patchwork Foundation’s delivery of CCHQ’s internship programme, the organisation has delivered skills training relevant to the interns’ work placements.
“We continue to iterate our offer based on feedback and consultation with participants and the CCHQ team to ensure sessions are in line with workplace best practices and tailored to the young people taking part in any given year.”
It has been reported that the interns were paid for the development days and could not refuse to attend.
A number of conservative-leaning commentators have criticised CCHQ over the programme.
GB News contributor Darren Grimes said: “Conservative Party interns have been asked to complete ‘privilege walks’ to highlight the career advantages of the white middle class.
Nile Gardiner suggested the Iron Lady would have been appalled by the 'privilege walks'
GB NEWS“If you want to know why nothing has changed in the open assault of identity based politics, there’s your answer. This is racism. Plain and simple.”
Nile Gardiner, who previously served as an aide to the Iron Lady, added: “This is insane. Margaret Thatcher would have been appalled.”
Other institutions have also reportedly adopted so-called privilege walks in recent years, including the BBC and the Oxford University Poverty & Human Development Initiative.