Home » Conservatives »
Just a reminder of Consvervative Party policy
I had a short argument today with someone at school whose basic point of view was that it was hypocritical of me to both attend a Grammar School and support a Political Party which “does not support Grammar Schools”.
Aside from the fact that I cannot stand hypocrisy, this highlights one very important, widely accepted fact (amongst sensible politicians): newspapers cannot be trusted to convey the full truth (particularly, in this instance, the Telegraph).
So, following on from my rant when the situation flared up last month, I thought I would briefly detail the Conservative Party policy on Grammar Schools. And if you are reading this, Ali, this is just for you…
In Medway*, the policy is simple. The Conservative-run Council fully supports Grammar Schools and selective education where entrance is based on merit.
This does not mean that non-selective secondary schools in Medway are to be neglected. The policy also reflects the importance of such schools, and encludes ensuring that high and wide-ability schools offer the widest choice of subjects, to (along with Grammar Schools) gain specialist status and reflect that in staffing and facilities.
Nationally the message is much the same. Support for Grammar Schools still exists and recently David Cameron also commented that, in areas where enough parents wanted them, new Grammar Schools would not be ruled out.
The Conservative Party has not given up on Grammar Schools, the message, manipulated by the media, was simply that non-selective secondary schools would get as much support, and that City Academies would remain, under a future Conservative Government.
If you would like to know more, please feel free to check out the links below or email me.
*The full Medway policy can be read on the Gillingham & Rainham Conservatives website.
**David Cameron’s statement can be read on the Conservative Party’s National website.
Leave a Comment
Posts
Comments
-
John M Ward: Yes, that's spot-on. This latest bid is the only way left to (re-)gain city
-
Alan W Collins: Tristan - in your rush to party politics you seem to have missed the entire
-
Tristan: Sorry; his bonus is not a contractual obligation despite the Tory Party spi
-
Alan W Collins: David - to the best of my belief (and I'm sure John Ward can correct any in
-
David Radlett: Not sure now which wombat was to blame for losing city status in the switch
Social
Read UsRSS Feed
Follow Uson Twitter
Find Uson Facebook
Alan W Collinson Linkedin
Alan W Collinson Picasa
Alan W Collinson Youtube
Awards
No Estuary Airport
3 Comments
Firstly,I do not read the Telegraph, I read the Daily Mail. I know, I’m sorry, but I can’t help it. Secondly, whilst Medway appears to be free from closure, you said that nationally, it could happen. Wouldn’t it be harder to reopen new grammar schools later on (once we’ve realised what an amazing idea they are)than to merely keep the ones we have running. I am not going to spend the rest of my life in Medway and should I ever have a family, I would rather send them to grammar schools than pay for private education.
Ali, thank you for your comments.
Firstly, I try to keep up to date with as many newspapers as possible (English and Spanish), mainly through their websites. Usually, though, my first point of call is the Telegraph, which many people frown upon. The only thing I will say about your choice of newspaper: don’t apologise. It is you who reads it, not those who criticise you, so don’t be ashamed of any of your choices (or indeed beliefs).
As for your second (probably more important) point. You said “Wouldn’t it be harder to reopen new grammar schools later on … than to merely keep the ones we have running” and I couldn’t agree more.
I would just like to remind you that it was this present Labour Government who tried (and in many cases succeeded) in closing down Grammar Schools. Their aim was to abolsih all Grammar Schools, and they were on target until they realised that they would lose the electoral support of people like you and I (not that they would ever get my support) and abruptly halted.
As for the national picture. You seem to have missed the point a bit. I said that the policy was that “in areas where enough parents wanted them, new Grammar Schools would not be ruled out.” This is indeed the case, and where population demographics change in areas which currently have Grammar Schools, new Grammar Schools would be considered.
I am somewhat dismayed that you seem to have already decided not to spend the rest of your life in Medway, but I certainly do agree that you should not need to pay to get a good education for any children you may have.
So, may I just be absolutely clear about the Conservative policy: no existing Grammar Schools are for the chop!
Alan
Quoting from your response to Ali:
“I would just like to remind you that it was this present Labour Government who tried (and in many cases succeeded) in closing down Grammar Schools. Their aim was to abolish all Grammar Schools…”
Yes, I recall this, including lobbying by Kent Labour MPs (which I still have on file) trying to get Kent and Medway to abandon (i.e. close) our Grammar Schools.
I do understand the present policy to give new initiatives such as Academies a chance to get results, which obviously won’t be for several years. Then will be the time to evaluate them, without having muddied the waters by hugely expanding the number or size of other, older, styles of schools in the meantime.
That seems to me to be the fairest and least dogmatic way forward.