Put frankly, I am not in the slightest bit impressed by the resignation of Shadow Europe Minister Graham Brady, and I will gladly tell you why. Yes, I concede that it was more than likely that the minister in question ‘jumped before he was pushed’ – especially considering reports that he would be dropped in the summer reshuffle – but this is in no way indicative of an attempt by David Cameron to stifle the debate over grammar schools, nor to ruthlessly suppress dissent; such suggestions are juvenile at best…
Moreover, Mr. Brady is quite undeserving of the labels of being ‘honourable’ and ‘principled’ that have been lavished upon him. As I doubt very much that his impending removal from the Shadow front bench was due to his ‘fierce’ opposition to the recently announced education policy, or for that matter his attempts to ‘reopen the debate’ as certain pundits have suggested, but more his sheer incompetence.
Let us place this in perspective; he effectively tried to provide unequivocal evidence for the continuing relevance of grammar schools by demonstrating the 7% difference between the ability of pupils to attain five A*-C GCSE passes in areas dominated by grammar schools, and in those that are not - data that incidentally only made it to page six of the Times, not exactly groundbreaking. Surely the most obvious explanation for such statistics is that areas in which grammar schools are situated are far more affluent; affluence (as David Willets rightly identified) being highly significant to academic achievement! It is precisely this lack of ability that makes me quite relieved that Brady has resigned – particularly considering the complexity of the situation that we face in Europe.
There is certainly a meaningful debate to be had over academic selection, but Graham Brady made no potential contribution to it.
P.S: I wonder what would have happened had we realised the significance of David Willets’ remarks on grammar schools when we met him last… the mind boggles…
29/05/2007 at 21:04 |
I have issue with this post on a few levels, as i’m sure you will be unsuprised by Ross, after all I am “inexorable”. As I have mentioned in a post I am disappointed by his resignation as I believe party loyalty for someone of his position is paramount particularly in times of electoral uncertainty. However I do believe Mr Cameron has to accept a small portion of the blame as I elaborate in the post. However I believe to term Mr Brady as “incompetent”is completely wrong. I do not believe it is our place to deem him incompetent as he has a rather impressive C.V! He was the Tories youngest MP in 1997, and he has been a passionate supporter of his local schools which I am informed are excellent. Further from 2001 to 2003, he was Shadow Minister for Schools, prior to his promotion to the front bench he was an active back bencher serving on the Education and Employment Select Committee and first became involved with the Conservative party when, aged 16, he joined the campaign to save the local grammar schools.
This is an issue clearly close to his heart and I applaud the strength of his conviction. Moreover you criticise his statistics, it is well documented that in areas with no selection, 42.6 per cent of GCSE pupils get five or more A* to C grades in subjects including maths and English. This rises to 46 per cent in partially selective area and 49.8 in wholly selective areas. Whether or not these results are groundbreaking is another matter but it is indicative that selection more often than not produces wholly better results. I believe this whole issue has been blown out of proportion with Tory turning on Tory and the party showing itself not in its finest colours. I do agree he has not neccessarily been as forthright or passionate in his job as Shadow Europe Minister but to deem him “Incompetent” is grossly-over exaggerated. I do apologise for the extended rant and await a lambasting!
P.s Prat is spelt p-r-a-t not p-r-a-t-t!
29/05/2007 at 21:55 |
“Whether or not these results are groundbreaking is another matter but it is indicative that selection more often than not produces wholly better results”
Ahem… I accept that my first remark in this particular sentence was perhaps a little flippant, but as for Mr. Brady’s much vaunted statistics my point still stands; you may wish to consider re-reading it before you post your next critique… Whilst I am well aware of his record, it doesn’t overshadow this particular misjudgement – which I’m sorry, does suggest that he’s a ‘bit of a prat’ (notice the spelling correction). However, I take your point that this affair has been rather shoddily handled.
29/05/2007 at 23:36 |
Round of applause Mr. Brady, just when Gordon Brown is going to take over and show a united party.
What does our front bench man decide to do, but resign over an issue that was broken almost 2weeks ago. Simply ridiclous, why did he not resign then? Pathetic if you ask me.
He has dragged it out and made the party look like it is arguing within itself.
29/05/2007 at 23:56 |
Tom, i completely agree! I admire his principles but i do question why he has risked jepardising party unity by resigning now. I suppose his only defence is one doesn’t resign a front bench position lightly and Camerons grammar school salvos have come thicker and faster over recent days which could have been the final straw.
Ross, i am glad that you accept some of my criticisms however i believe to call him a prat is still over-exaggerated. A little naieve may be more appropriate. Anyhow at least we all seem to agree the situation has been poorly handled by all parties!
30/05/2007 at 00:08 |
Only a bit of a prat…
30/05/2007 at 11:37 |
I know post looks like I’m criticising Graham, but I believe he has been a strong spokesman on Europe. The thing about this particular bit of *modernisation* is that the issue doesn’t even cleave cleanly between the left and right of the party. For example, a Tory teacher who I would consider far to the left of me tells me that he sent a letter to Willetts last week.
31/05/2007 at 19:17 |
If I recall correctly, a member of CP, Anthony Hopkins I think pushed Willetts pretty hard on Grammar schools then. If I remember correctly he said that was in the past, exactly re iterating what Cameron had been saying.
So why Brady only worked it out now, makes me wonder?