Isabel Hardman Isabel Hardman

Starmer commits to oracy classes for children

(Photo: Getty)

Keir Starmer is giving another speech on one of his five missions (remember them?) today. The Labour leader has a lower bar to meet with his five pledges than Rishi Sunak. While the Prime Minister has to achieve things like halving inflation by the end of the year, the Labour leader just has to stick to his policies all the way to the election manifesto. On current form, that’s enough of a challenge, but today’s announcement on smashing the ‘class ceiling’ is a particularly personal interest of Starmer’s, which gives it a better chance of survival.

In a speech in Kent, Starmer will commit to oracy being a key element of the national curriculum. His argument is that young people need the skills to express themselves, writing in the Times that ‘an inability to articulate your thoughts fluently is a key barrier to getting on and thriving in life.’

Isabel Hardman
Written by
Isabel Hardman
Isabel Hardman is assistant editor of The Spectator and author of Why We Get the Wrong Politicians. She also presents Radio 4’s Week in Westminster.

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