This article is more than 3 months old
To distract from its mishandling of the pandemic, the UK government has found a new target. But the public don’t buy it
Reception class at Manor Park school and nursery in Knutsford, Cheshire, on 5 November. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA
Reception class at Manor Park school and nursery in Knutsford, Cheshire, on 5 November. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA
Thu 17 Dec 2020 13.32 EST
Last modified on Thu 17 Dec 2020 16.30 EST
Since time immemorial, Tories have conducted culture wars against teachers, from their gay people-bashing, section 28 days to Michael Gove’s assaults on “the blob”. This week Gavin Williamson has been forced to retreat from his recent eye-catching ban on schools using material from groups with “a desire to end capitalism”, likening it to the “endorsement of illegal activity” (such as the internal market bill?). Anti-racism, environmental and other campaigners threatened a court case, so now “the wording of the guidance is being reviewed”.