We now have a modernising, classless political consensus consisting of a non-socialist New Labour party and a pro-capitalist New Conservative party, neither of which is much concerned to conserve the historic institutions. While in the old days socialists argued, very reasonably, that it was the duty of the state to improve the conditions of the lower classes, and Old Tories argued, also very reasonably, that it was their party's duty to maintain the privileges of the upper classes, today all the parties agree, or pretend to agree, that it is the job of the state to do away with class altogether, regardless of the fact that our political institutions grew out of that class system and have depended on it ever since for their health and strength.

So what would the ushering in of a classless society really signify? Essentially, the end of the tradition of linking power and wealth to the ideal of selflessness. What began as a reforming movement to abolish class consciousness is, therefore, in danger of ending up as a movement to abolish class conscience.