Academies Bill [Lords]

Malcolm Wicks Excerpts

Monday 19th July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Michael Gove]

I consulted head teachers, teachers, and parents, and I also took the trouble to consult the electorate at the general election; the proposal was in our manifesto, and received a great deal of support. Following the general election, I was fortunate enough to find out that the proposal received support from not just my right hon. Friend the Member for Yeovil, but my right hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Hallam (Mr Clegg) and my many other hon. Friends on the Liberal Democrat Benches.

[Malcolm Wicks (Croydon North) (Lab)]

rose—

[Michael Gove]

I am happy to give way, but then I must try to make progress.

[Malcolm Wicks]

Does the Secretary of State feel that there will be any need for locally elected education authorities in the future? If so, what will their roles be?

[Michael Gove]

I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for his question. If I may quote, I believe:

“The best local authorities already increasingly see their primary role as championing parents and pupils rather than being a direct provider of education. We need to see every local authority moving from provider to commissioner, so that the system acquires a local dynamism responsive to the needs of their communities and open to change and new forms of school provision. This will liberate local authorities from too often feeling the need to defend the status quo, so that instead they become the champions of innovation and diversity, and the partner of local parents in driving continuous improvement.”

That was Tony Blair in October 2005—once again, an unimprovable argument.