There are intriguing manoeuvres on the education front today. Michael Gove has written a
letter to Andy Burnham, calling on his counterpart to guarantee to protect the Academies programme. There’s nothing unusual in this: politicians are always writing pointless letters to each
other. But the timing of this one is quite significant, coinciding as it does with former Blair spinner Peter Hyman’s decision to create a free school, with, it is understood, the tacit support
of Andrew Adonis.
As I’ve written before, Burnham has forsaken his reforming instincts. Convinced that Gove is a weak link, he has not seen the need to leave ‘old Labour’s’ comfort zone on education. Now the mood seems to be turning against him.
The public are interested in Gove’s radical ideas. You Gov polling in January suggested that a majority back the Academies programme and the introduction of a baccalaureate.
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