There are intriguing manoeuvres on the education front today. Michael Gove has written a
letter to Andy Burnham, calling on his counterpart to guarantee to protect the Academies programme. There’s nothing unusual in this: politicians are always writing pointless letters to each
other. But the timing of this one is quite significant, coinciding as it does with former Blair spinner Peter Hyman’s decision to create a free school, with, it is understood, the tacit support
of Andrew Adonis.
As I’ve written before, Burnham has forsaken his reforming instincts. Convinced that Gove is a weak link, he has not seen the need to leave ‘old Labour’s’ comfort zone on education. Now the mood seems to be turning against him.
The public are interested in Gove’s radical ideas. You Gov polling in January suggested that a majority back the Academies programme and the introduction of a baccalaureate. This has enabled Gove to proceed largely unimpeded, in stark contrast to Andrew Lansley. As Fraser has noted on several occasions, the development of academies continues apace. And this week has also seen further reforms of the curriculum to discourage some pupils from taking vocational courses.
Elements of the Parliamentary Labour Party are beginning to recognise that Burnham is encumbered with obsolete ideas. Last month, the reform-minded backbencher Pat McFadden wrote a subtle essay for Progress urging a change of direction. Also, the quiet accumulation of rumours has created the impression that some senior Labour figures are growing frustrated at Burnham’s inability to wound Gove, who has recovered impressively from his early debacles over the Building Schools for the Future fund. Burnham is beginning to look isolated.
UPDATE: The Labour Party has been in touch to say that the leadership has total confidence in Andy Burnham.
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