Interesting that George Osborne was considered on 'Oik' by the rest of the bullingdon boys - clearly they felt he wasnt the full-blooded package.
Or what about someone like David Davis?
Born in 1948, Davis was raised on a council estate in South London. After a grammar school education, he went on to gain a Master's degree in business at age 25, and went into a career with Tate & Lyle.
Lets say he became the head of the tory party instead of cameron (incidentaly, the above background may have had a factoring into why he didnt get the job). Would he have ever been allowed in to make the necessary all-powerful links with law-makers, lords, police, business, etc.?
I expect that the core aristocratic-link network is being infiltrated slowly by 'oiks' - but its probably going to be a very long process before bloodlines lose their significance - especially as long as the royal family are allowed to exist.
There probably is a growing greying between upper class and upper-middle class, but not as much as in, say, the States. Anyone know about the rest of Europe? How much comparable is a british upper class to that say of Sweden? or Germany? Or Italy?
P.S. regarding an oxbridge education, this is no longer any sign of toff-quality. Oxford's intake of kids from comps is up to just under 50%. the question is once you get there what circles you move in/are allowed in.