Labour may not have met all its manifesto pledges but thanks to swine flu, at least the party has achieved one long held, if unofficial, objective - the closure of Eton College.

The bastion of privilege is the latest in a string of independent schools to be hit by the virus.

Is it down to weak immune systems, expensive holidays or the fear of rich lawyer parents suing? Internet conspiracy theories abound, with Liberal Democrat youth forum members expressing particular glee at the toffs’ plight.

One suggested it was “because they’re all pigs snaffling the food/money/wealth at the trough of capitalism, oppressing the poor”. Someone better tell their leader Nick Clegg, former pupil at the notoriously working class Westminster School.

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