Cameron ‘blinded’ by Blairism
David Cameron was today accused of being blinded by Blairism, as the grammar school row refused to die down.
Just a day after the shadow chancellor, George Osborne, proclaimed that Tories were the natural “heirs to Blair”, Graham Brady, the Tory frontbencher who quit over the issue, attacked Mr Cameron for supporting the outgoing prime minister’s education policies and “refusing” to accept evidence that shows grammar schools raise standards.
Mr Brady resigned as shadow Europe minister earlier this week after being “severely reprimanded” for condemning the suggestion by the shadow education spokesman, David Willetts, that academic selection did little to help social mobility.
Writing in today’s Daily Telegraph, the Conservative MP for Altrincham and Sale West, said: “Labour and the Lib Dems have long been blinded by ideology on the issue, but they have now been joined by the Tories.
“Declaring their support for the education policies of the departing PM, the Conservatives have refused to weigh up the evidence on schools - even ignoring the party’s own policy review group.”
In the article, Mr Brady also criticised the Tory vow to give parents increasing choice over schools under a Tory government, while flatly ruling out the prospect of more grammar schools for communities who want them.
“While proclaiming a commitment to diversity, ‘localism’ and choice, the party is telling parents that, if they want for their children is an academically selective education, then tough. Unless of course, they can afford to go private.”
Mr Osborne was put on the spot at a Policy Exchange event yesterday when he outlined Conservative plans for public services.
Much to the annoyance of many within Conservative ranks, Mr Osborne said Mr Cameron shared significant common ground with Tony Blair over public service reform objectives, though the two parted company on the methods needed to deliver them.
This included giving parents a stronger “voice and choice” over schools for their children, with money following pupils more directly, in the same way that NHS money now follows patients to their hospital of choice.
There would also be more opportunities for organisations to set up new schools in response to local parents’ wishes.
However, Mr Osborne was forced to admit this choice would be circumscribed, since parents would not have the option of seeing new grammar schools erected, and academic ability would no longer be a criteria for selection.
The Conservative party is seeking to persuade voters that Mr Cameron is the natural successor to Blairite policies, while the Labour leader-in-waiting, Gordon Brown, would lurch the party back to the left.
