Education reform that actually works is one of the noblest, but most thankless, tasks in politics. Noble because it’s necessary, thankless because it doesn’t earn much in the way of an electoral dividend. Polling consistently suggests fewer than 15% of people consider education a top priority.
This is understandable. If you do not have children you are, often, less interested in education than if you do. If your children attend a good school (or, at least, if you are satisfied with the school they attend) you may not care too much about the schools other kids have to attend.
Moreover, since education reform necessarily means telling the educational establishment it has not been doing well enough (despite much excellence, hard work, etc etc) it is a cause guaranteed to make enemies and, worse, hurt people’s feelings.
So it is interesting to read John Rentoul reporting today that Lib Dem research indicates that attacking Michael Gove may be one of the most effective ways for Nick Clegg’s party to appeal to public sector workers who voted Lib Dem in 2010 but are currently disinclined to support the Lib Dems at the next election.
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