I’m thinking of starting a political campaign. The idea is to draw attention to the rapid decline of one of the most treasured groups in British public life. Once a vital force in the Labour movement, they are now the political equivalent of an endangered species. The campaign will be called ‘Save Our Trots’.
Take the efforts of my local NUT rep, Nick Grant, to whip up opposition to the West London Free School. Grant makes no bones about being a Trotskyist — he’s out and proud, as it were — and therein lies the problem. Because everyone knows he’s a member of the Socialist Workers Party, few locals take his political views seriously.
If Grant had infiltrated a respectable organisation like the Labour party and perfected a mild, disarming manner, he would be a formidable opponent. As it is, hearing him rant and rave against ‘middle-class Acton parents’ is a little like watching a jihadist launch into an eye-popping rant against the state of Israel.
Two months ago I appeared before Ealing Council’s education scrutiny panel to answer questions about the West London Free School and debate with both Nick Grant and Mandy Golding, the head teacher of Acton High School.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in