Sharp elbows: for or against?
Surely the significance of David Cameron's interview today, in which he appears to condone pretended religiosity by parents trying to get their children into church schools (which has already attracted the first voice in what will soon be a chorus of disapproval), is that it was a gentle telling-off for Michael Gove, his education spokesman?
vCameron is asked for his views on the families accused of playing the system, and says:
“I think it’s good for parents who want the best for their kids. I don’t blame anyone who tries to get their children into a good school. Most people are doing so because it has an ethos and culture. I believe in active citizens.”
Gove was quoted on the subject of some confused research that seemed to suggest that the gap between the achievement at school of the children of rich and poor was widening:
“If you have nominal parental choice over school admissions, but an undersupply of good schools, you will find that the sharp-elbowed middle-class parents get access to excellent schools, but those trapped in deprived areas do not.”
What, then, is Conservative policy on sharp elbows?
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