Both kinds of school have a place, and more besides. It needs to be a choice. Education is not ‘one-size fits all’, it’s ‘horses for courses’.
I commit to ensuring that education standards improve, and to back a freeport and eco-innovation enterprise zones.
It is past time that Westminster overcame its queasiness about pressing the devolved administrations on their dire performance.
If I had not been sent to a state boarding school and experienced stable relationships, I would likely have ended up in care myself.
The parents we have most consistently let down are those we have not empowered to demand more for their children. That must change.
Collecting statistics on people’s self-identified racial background is one thing. Having ringfenced funding for one racial group is quite another.
What has been the Conservative Party ‘s response at Westminster to this situation? Incredibly, it has been to offer Wales even more devolution.
The Government must spare no effort to deliver dignified work, up-to-date infrastructure, and state-of-the-art training to these long-neglected communities.
Although Brexit is the headline, the spotlight is on a range of measures aimed at schools, the NHS, the police, and the justice system.
As the Prime Minister said, many people have lent us their vote, and they won’t be so generous next time if we get it wrong.
In this new political battle, the greatest tension will not be left v right or even fiscal
doves v economic hawks. It will be a battle between creativity and convention.
But there remains important unfinished business for the Conservatives to carry out – if we get the opportunity.
Our nagging worry is: what about voters who may not want to get Brexit done, but are nonetheless apprehensive about Corbyn and John McDonnell’s tax plans?
Wales is the only home country to be below the OECD average in reading, maths, and science.
There should be the right to impose an immediate and substantial detention. Heads who don’t maintain order should be required by Ofsted to change their ways.