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Voting at 16, writing to Ruth Kelly and talking to headteachers.
Tuesday
Vote at 4.00 on lowering the voting age to 16 (or 12, whichever comes soonest). As we flow through the arches, a posse of New Women is flowing the other way. "The Whips don't want us to vote". Which, of course, made me more determined to vote. For 16. Afterwards, a loyalist lady told me she hadn't really wanted to vote. She was for 16 but hadn't really made her mind up. Now she thinks she's against it.
Wednesday
Comments coming in on my proposed letter to Ruth Kelly (see Education Row on this site). Most approve. Some think it's too rude. Chris Dixon gives the best critique – she likes the discipline and easier getting rid of incompetents and doesn't mind the Schools Organisation Committee going but dislikes the rest. Nearly all do.
Campaign Group discusses the proliferation of anti-Blair groups – Compass, True Labour, Real Labour, Tony Must Go (Please) etc. They should join us but won't because they think we're disciples of Pol Pot. Or is it Mao? The only really useful development is the alienation of the Trade Unions by the government. Hung on until 7.00 for a vote - which doesn't take place.
Thursday
Martin Salter resigns as PPS at Education. Can't stand the effort to muscle the Bill through. Jack Hayward and Ron Bridge emerge chortling and triumphant from the Public Administration Committee hearings on the Compensation for Civilian Detainees of the Japanese. They've won hands down. Don Touhig tells the Committee he's looked into it. The Department's a shambles. They're right. Defence is wrong and he'll make a statement in the next three weeks. Hopefully coughing up. Marvellous. I've been arguing this for four years and three Ministers – Moonie, Caplin – now Touhig, all of whom swore blind the Department was right. Thank God for Select Committees. Will they now refund Ron Bridge's legal costs?
My request to take a photo outside Number 10 has to be referred to the Political Office. By the time they say Yes it's too dark.
Friday
Busily consulting Heads and as many teachers as I can get hold of on the Education White Paper (EWP). But what am I consulting them about? EWP will have to be much altered to become a Bill or they won't get it through. Cameron is now indicating that he'll support it – as he should because we've stolen their manifesto. Tony must agree to delay and debate because to alienate the Party on this means all the other pending major decisions - Nuclear, Polaris, Pensions, Europe - are screwed up. Cowley's law of rebellion says that it's catching and once caught gets worse. Possibly leading to dissentomania and, if the whips have their way, rigor mortis. |
