Claremont McKenna in California boasts top CEOs and political consultants among its alumni.
Sitting in leafy acres, the $86,500 a year top-rated campus enjoys state-of-the-art learning equipment including £650 ergonomic chairs.
It is known for its active party scene and relatively lenient policy on alcohol.
Perhaps that’s what attracted Rishi Sunak and his wife to donate $3million dollars to it – it reminded them of Downing Street.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise how out of touch Mr Sunak is, but this donation is a timely reminder.
What makes it doubly sickening is what is going on in our own schools and colleges – indeed, in Mr Sunak’s own constituency of Richmond. Leyburn Primary is having to fundraise for computers. Some of its machines are 15 years old. There aren’t enough to go around.
Or other schools, where we hear of pupils not being provided with basic equipment, or turning up hungry or without proper clothes.
Surely, if Mr Sunak wanted to invest some of his family fortune, those places would be a good start?
When asked about the donation, a source close to the PM said he and his wife give money to a wide range of causes and charities.
Admirable. But why a wealthy college in the US rather than some of our own desperate institutions?
For someone who is so passionate about education that he’s willing to invest a chunk of his cash in it, maybe Mr Sunak should do more to sort out the schools budget in the UK and end the teachers’ strikes.
Perhaps he has an eye on the lucrative US college speaking circuit when his time is up.
Maybe his legacy in the States is more important than his work here.
The motto of Claremont McKenna is the Latin “Crescit cum commercio civitas”.
Translated into English: Civilization prospers with commerce.
Translated into politics: Money makes the world go round.
Show you care
The coming week is National Carers Week and MPs are using it to draw attention to the horrifying levels of pay some of the most dedicated people in the land are enduring.
Many people who look after their loved ones are on poverty-level income.
This is not good enough. A full-scale review should be brought in immediately.
Mine’s a treble
Even travel disruption couldn’t dampen the celebrations of Manchester City fans as their team lifted the FA Cup yesterday.
Let’s hope their journey to Istanbul is smoother as they head to Turkey on Saturday for what will hopefully be the final piece of a historic treble.
