Grammar Schools And Integrity

MP slams 'absurd' grammars policy

Graham Brady

Tory MP Graham Brady, has quit the frontbenchers and said that the party was picking a fight with ordinary families over the ending of its support for new grammars. But, 'call me Dave' Cameron (Tory leader) wrote in The Sunday Times: "Modernity matters because if we allow ourselves to be marooned on the wrong side of social and cultural change, the result is simply irrelevance and opposition."

He added: "When [if] the dust [ever settles] has settled on the grammar school debate it will be equally clear that our distinctive approach - more setting in schools, head teachers' control over discipline and a big expansion in opportunities for new schools to open - is robust."

Michael Gove - October 2012

The scale of grassroots revolt against Cameron's education policy is underestimated and dozens of councillors in areas with grammar schools have threatened to stand as independents at the next election, according to the Sunday Times. In what opponents dubbed a "humiliating U-turn," David Willetts (Conservative education spokesman) said a Tory government would consider opening new grammars in areas which already had them, if population changes justified it.

If population changes justified it

That will be an easy one to dodge - in the future. They never will justify it, of course.

Tim Montgomerie of the unofficial Tory website 'conservativehome' said Tories:

"are unhappy with the grammar-schools policy,
but also at the way the whole affair has been handled"

Ex-frontbencher Mr Brady continued his high-profile assault on Mr Cameron's policy in an article for the News of the World and called on Mr Cameron to reverse the decision and allow new grammars if parents want them. The Altrincham and Sale West MP wrote:

"First, accept it's absurd to claim grammar schools stop kids from poor families getting on in life and second, make it clear that a Conservative government will listen."

"We don't need to promise 'a grammar school in every town', but we should make it clear that if people want one we won't stand in their way."

Don't overlook it's in Cameron's interests, and his favoured minority, to deny opportunity to the general masses (working classes). It makes it easier to secure good tenure for potentially inadequate individuals.
Mr Brady, a former grammar school pupil himself, apparently accused the party leadership of trying to close down the debate and was reprimanded by the Conservative Party's chief whip (whipped into shape) and told to stick to his Europe brief.

Toe the party line, or else...

"Last week I was told if I wanted to keep my job I had better shut up about education," he said,"but I decided it was more important to tell the truth about something I passionately believe in."

Trying to make sure all 'spin' goes around the same way isn't working, but

integrity is alive and well

in spite of Cameron

Others, including shadow attorney general Dominic Grieve, have also defended grammar schools.

Cameron's been rumbled, at last

But that's in theory only.

Cameron was thought to have the best policies for schools (!) and the NHS (!!), according to the poll carried out on 30 and 31 May. But, I wonder about the result today. Should be different, shouldn't it?

5th June 2007

Gordon Brown was seen best on the economy (!!!), tax (!!!!), and the so-called war on terror (!!!!!).

War is Terror

He was rated to make a better premier by 45% (43% for Cameron) and the more competent by 54% (29% for the Tory leader).

Which would your choice be for a friendly family pet: a Pit Bull Terrier or a Bull Mastiff (no muzzle necessary).

Some choice