David Cameron under fire for calling government support for educational trips to Auschwitz a "gimmick"

Saturday, 23 February 2008 12:00 AM

Conservative party leader David Cameron has come under fierce criticism after calling a government policy to fund trips to the Auschwitz concentration camp "a gimmick".

In a speech yesterday, Mr Cameron claimed that the government had announced a number of other shortsighted policies. A press release later issued by the party contained Trips to Auschwitz as one of the 26 policies he disapproved of.

Previously the government announced it would allocate £4.65 million towards funding trips by students to the detention centre run by Hitler's Germany. The Tories have criticised the programme saying schools were expected to carry a part of the costs.

Board of Deputies of British Jews president Henry Grunwald expressed surprise over the opposition leader's comments.

He said: "The board of deputies does not get involved in party politics but we are surprised and disappointed that David Cameron should in any way have used the word gimmick in connection with visits to Auschwitz."

Holocaust Educational Trust chief executive Karen Pollock said the issue of organising visits to Auschwitz should not be used to "score political points".

Defending Mr Cameron's comments, a spokesman for the Conservatives said: "School trips to Auschwitz are a brilliant idea. However, by announcing these trips without providing the necessary funding the government has - in classic fashion - hidden the detail in the small print.

"Under a Conservative government these trips would be funded in full and schools would not have to find £100 per pupil from their budgets," he added.

Schools secretary Ed Balls also criticised Mr Cameron's statement on the trips.

"This is a truly disgraceful remark by David Cameron and he should apologise immediately for the offence he has caused ... In trying to make this issue into a matter of party politics, David Cameron has shown once again that he not only lacks judgment but also a basic sense of decency," he added.

Serious about politics?

City University London

Dedicate one year of your life to getting to the heart of current issues in global politics. Our courses allow you to specialise in development and policy-making, international relations, and political journalism and communications.

    Tags:

Special event coverage

ESRC logo

Festival of Social Sciences: Celebrating the Social Sciences

Evidence-based policy should not be a radical concept. It needs to be celebrated.

ESRC logo

Festival of Social Sciences: 2 languages: 2 brains, 2 minds, 2 cultures?

As part of the ESRC Festival of Social Sciences, the Deafness Cognition And Language Research Centre (DCAL) hosted an event exploring the powerful benefits of bilingualism in spoken and sign languages, for hearing and deaf people alike - benefits that reach hearing and deaf people alike.

Opinion Former Events

NHF: Leaders’ Forum and Exhibition 2012

This flagship event is a forum for chief executives and chairs of the housing sector to network with each other and learn from a range of high-profile and inspirational speakers from media, political and housing backgrounds. It takes place in Park Plaza Victoria, London.

TACT: Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): how to support affected children

Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an incurable lifelong condition arising from brain damage caused by maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy. The effects may include physical, mental, behavioural and learning disabilities. However, if diagnosed, the right strategies can transform the lives of those affected. This new Guardian Social Care Network half-day seminar in association with TACT Fostering and Adoption will explain the condition and show what can be done to help.

bpas: Abortion in the US: Popularity, Politics and Practice

We often hear of the ‘Americanisation’ of abortion politics in the UK, but unpicking the substantive threats to women’s reproductive rights in the US can be a challenge. The 2012 bpas public lecture will explore the current state of abortion politics in the US and, at a time when abortion appears increasingly politicised in the UK, reflect on what lessons can be drawn by those keen to protect women’s reproductive autonomy elsewhere.

Cogent SSC: UK Nuclear Skills Awards - 22nd March 2012

The UK Nuclear Awards is steadily becoming an anticipated annual event in the Nuclear calendar. The National Skills Academy for Nuclear and Cogent Sector Skills Council are preparing to hold their fourth collaborative Skills Awards Evening for the industry.

BSIA: Information Destruction Exhibition and Conference

This one-day event is targeted at professionals operating in the information destruction industry, and aims at keeping delegates updated on recent developments in their sector, providing an opportunity to network with fellow professionals, whilst offering access to an informative exhibition and a comprehensive conference programme.

Take the Gold Challenge for St Dunstan's

We provide lifelong support for blind and visually impaired ex-Service men and women. You can help give more blind heroes an independent future by taking the Gold Challenge

Newsletter sign up

By signing-up you agree to the terms of use and privacy policy.

Unsubscribe