‘Theresa May is to press ahead with plans to bring back grammar schools despite a cabinet split over the pace and scale of the reform. Justine Greening, the education secretary, has raised concerns about the prime minister’s plan to lift an 18-year ban on new grammars, according to a confidential document. The proposal should be downgraded to one of several options for reform, Ms Greening believes, and help for disadvantaged pupils should be guaranteed. A senior official from her department also voiced fears that it would be blocked by parliament. Mrs May is determined to allow new state schools to select some pupils by academic ability, a senior government figure told The Times, and will continue with the reforms. Expanding selective education is to be presented as central to her push to improve social mobility, with details to be announced next week.’ – The Times (£)
>Today: John Glen MP in Comment: Grammar Schools. If you back streaming within schools, why oppose streaming between them?
‘Theresa May has slapped down one of her most senior Cabinet ministers after he said it is “very improbable” that the UK will remain a member of the single market if the country is to regain control of its borders. The Prime Minister’s spokesman said it is not right to be “putting all your cards on the table” and claimed David Davis was setting out “his opinion”, not government policy, when he spoke in Parliament yesterday. Mr Davis told the House of Commons that it is “a simple truth” that if the UK was forced to accept free movement of people it would be unlikely that the country could remain in the single market.’ – Daily Telegraph
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Comment:
>Today: ToryDiary: Over three-quarters of Party members support the Hard Brexit option recently backed by Davis
‘Construction is soon to begin on a “big new wall” in Calais following a surge in the number migrants trying to get across the Channel, the Government has announced. The 13ft (4m) high concrete barrier will be funded by Britain at a cost of £2m, and will stretch over a half a mile (1km) along the main dual carriageway approaching the ferry port. Work is expected to begin as soon as this month. The measure was confirmed on Tuesday by the immigration minister Robert Goodwill, who said: “The security that we are putting in at the port is being stepped up with better equipment. “We are going to start building this big new wall very soon. We’ve done the fence, now we are doing a wall.”’- Daily Telegraph
‘There is no way that the opposition forces, moderate or otherwise, will end their struggle, because they fear that by laying down their weapons they could leave Assad in charge. Assad is the single most effective recruiting sergeant for Sunni militias of every kind. It is Assad who has stoked and exploited the hideous death cult of Daesh. That is why the entire international community is committed, at least in principle, to getting rid of the Syrian dictator. Even the Russians have accepted that there must be political transition. But then the Russians are also employing their military muscle to prevent him from losing and to keep him in power. When the Russians are asked to explain this seemingly indefensible conduct they reply with one stubborn question — the question with which we began: What then? What follows Assad? It is a question whose potency derives from the Iraq war, and the total failure of the West to prepare for the consequences of removing Saddam. We unseated a Baathist strongman, and chaos ensued.’ – The Times (£)
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>Yesterday: ToryDiary: The Child Abuse inquiry may yet need to be redrawn
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‘Nicola Sturgeon has been accused of placing a “lead weight” on Scotland’s economy after announcing her government will draw up plans for a second independence referendum that are ready for “immediate introduction”. Unveiling her programme for government for the coming year, the First Minister announced a £500 million Scottish Growth Scheme to help companies cope with the fallout of the Brexit vote. She said the three-year scheme represented “an exceptional response to an exceptional economic challenge” but then confirmed she will also consult on a draft Referendum Bill that can be tabled instantly if she concludes independence is Scotland’s best option.’- Daily Telegraph
>Today: Henry Hill’s Column: Davidson attacks as Labour and Lib Dems withdraw support for SNP
>Today: Alex Morton’s Column: The Left builds third party support. If May can’t do so too, her government will fail
‘Keith Vaz is facing further humiliation after the Labour Party turned on him in the wake of the sex scandal which led to him resigning as chairman of the Home Affairs select committee. Mr Vaz, a Labour MP, on Tuesday stepped down from the paid Parliamentary position after a Sunday tabloid claimed that he paid male prostitutes for sex and offered to take poppers and pay for cocaine. However, Jeremy Corbyn then cast doubt on whether Mr Vaz will be allowed to continue as an elected member of Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee. Mr Vaz has insisted he will remain a member of the NEC. However, when asked about the scandal surrounding Mr Vaz, the Labour leader said his position will be “discussed next week”. A number of backbenchers, including Labour members, are also privately calling for Mr Vaz to resign as a Labour MP.’ – Daily Telegraph
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Editorial:
>Yesterday: LeftWatch: Another split is opening among Labour MPs – this time over Brexit