Blackpool truce holds

All those waiting for the latest instalment in the great grammar schools row are going to have to wait a little longer. The rumours that Graham Brady, the frontbencher who resigned over the issue, had come to an agreement with the leadership not to reopen the row this week have been confirmed by a very mild piece he has written in the Telegraph this morning.

After a few paragraphs attacking Labour for its failings on education, Brady turns to grammars schools: 

“Everyone knows I don’t see eye-to-eye with the leadership of the Conservative Party over grammar schools.

I strongly believe that they are one of the most effective vehicles of social mobility in our country. 

This is important but it is a difference of opinion that should not overshadow areas of agreement – giving head teachers real power to remove disruptive pupils from their school; stopping the closure of special schools so children are not treated as if they are all the same; giving civic groups the freedom to set up their own good schools in areas which desperately need them; pushing on with the city academy programme.”