Labour’s apparent shift on free schools

As I wrote on Friday, there is a sense that some on Labour’s benches want to soften the party’s education policy. It seems that the first subtle shift may have come over the weekend. Total Politics’ Amber Elliott reports on a Fabian Society meeting where Andy Burnham apparently dropped his blanket opposition to free schools. Amber writes:

‘Speaking at the Fabian Society conference at the weekend, Burnham signalled that he is not against free schools such as the one former-No10-strategist-turned-teacher Peter Hyman is setting up.

Labour blogger Anthony Painter tweeted from the conference: “@andyburnhammp supports Peter Hyman’s free school as a Labour alternative to the Tory concept. But also says whole system matters #Fabians.”

Labour councillor Jessica Asato added: “Burnham suggests he is not against free schools such as the one Peter Hyman is setting up. Just a concern for the effect on the community.”‘

This is far from a Damascus moment, but it seems that Peter Hyman and the like have forced the party leadership’s hand to an extent.