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No wonder the Whips objected so strongly to my letter to Grimsby Heads. The "Tool Kit" for Labour MPs shows what I should have done to sell the Educashun White Paper.
We should call meetings in the school with Head, Governors, and parents and tell them that the reforms will:
- Put parents at the heart of running schools
- Tailor tuition to the needs of each individual child
- Reform schools to give them the freedom and flexibility they need
- Give teachers a positive right to discipline
- Give local authorities a strong new role.
Who could possibly object to any of that? Motherhood and apple pie had to be omitted because we’re talking about kids under 19 threatened by an obesity epidemic.
It then goes on; In << SCHOOL NAME >> you know the hard work everyone puts in to improve results by <> and transform the <>.
Great stuff. Followed by simple instructions "Prepare the room in good time". Then a series of talking points, "How can we tailor schooling to give every child the best education?" (short of sending them to Eton) and "What can we do to give parents more say in your child’s education" or "How can we deal with failing schools?" (short of nuclear weapons).
Then, finally, Triumph. The follow-up Press Release: "Parents give schools plan the thumbs up". MP rushes back to Westminster to give Ruth Kelly the good news. "I have no doubt that they will get their message will be heard (sic) in Westminster loud and clear". There’s even a quote provided to prove it: "<> a parent at the event said "The government’s plans are really ambitious. I’m pleased they want to give parents control ... but I was even more pleased the <> MP and the head bothered to take time out to listen to my views". Democracy Works!
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This will be the Pushy Parents Charter; Education of the Middle Class, for the Middle Class, by the Middle Class, giving all who can afford to use it the same right to choose as the Blairs have used so effectively.
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Calls to the Headmaster’s study have begun for the 49 rebels with blood on their hands. Not yet for Bob Marshall Andrews. He asked for written notification of the points to be discussed and for his note taker to be present.
The first three called in agreed vigorously with Bob Ainsworth’s view that the party was damaged by splits and suggested that that best way to avoid this was to consult the party and stop forcing on it things it doesn’t want. Reports are that Bob was baffled.
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The Great Hearts and Minds campaign has begun. Everyone can now get a personal meeting with Ruth Kelly, or even Tony, to design the Pushy Parents White Paper. I’ve asked for both. Tony doesn’t know the difference between explanation (which he’s brilliant at) and consultation, which he can’t be expected to understand because he’s so right. Ruth seems to have taken on an HMV role. |
