The game is up

Michael Gove’s plan to scrap GCSEs and replace them with a beefed-up O-Level are, as Brother Blackburn observed earlier, threatened by the Conservatives’ coalition partners. It seems quite probable that Gove’s proposals will be watered down following the usual “consultation” with the Liberal Democrats.

This will, understandably, vex Tories. Gove’s proposals have considerable merit even if, as always, the advantages of his plans are (partially) offset by their drawbacks. As successive governments have discovered it is difficult to build an education system that is demanding, universal and equitable. There must be winners and losers and the argument is chiefly about defining those terms.

Today’s developments also demonstrate that neither partner in this coalition has a proper understanding of coalition government. If David Cameron’s ministry frequently seems at odds with itself that is because we no longer enjoy a united government. The coalition has ceased to function. It is no team of rivals, rather teams of rivals.