Balls’s independent thinking

The news that Ed Balls is to scrap the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and replace it with an independent body prompts two thoughts. First, Mr Balls is showing real promise as the man in charge of the nation’s schools, and will be kept on his toes by his splendid Tory Shadow, Michael Gove. This is an excellent measure, and one that might just save the debauched currency of public examinations from slipping into Weimar oblivion. Mr Balls was the co-author with Gordon Brown of the decision to hand control of interest rates to the Bank of England: he understands that trust follows when politicians step aside.

Second, the proposal illustrates the injustice of Opposition politics. Damian Green, when Education Spokesman for the Tories, suggested exactly this in the wake of the Tomlinson inquiry into A level standards. He was given short shrift by the  Government. But that was New Labour.