“Found this a little weird, are the enemy still ensconced in cushy unaccountable positions in Westminster like Partridges and old Pennys? and included a link to this post.”
On Sunday I received this answer
"I think we can get new guidance which emphasises that LAs have a duty to support parents (where they want it) and that spells out the limits of the LAs' responsibilities so that they stop hankering after more powers. Just leaving it isn't an option. I want a stake put through the heart of the whole monitoring/licensing approach so that it doesn't ever get resurrected."
This was my response
"Graham can I blog this, thank you for responding. I will be behind that stake in spirit and person, lol, given half a chance but I feel we need to be on high alert for any attempt to hijack the process by those with their own agenda."
This is the first time I have taken a serious interest in things political and it was through necessity not curiosity. Part of my lack of interest stemmed from suspicion that I would find much of what I learnt disgusting and depressing. I was not wrong.
But I also discovered that it is possible to be a politician and also be quick to understand an issue from your constituent’s point of view, to be intelligent and approachable, to eschew spin and to be accessible beyond my wildest imaginings.
6 comments:
When all's said and done, Graham Stuart is not that close to the levers of power. Close enough perhaps to catch which way the wind is blowing, but not necessarily close enough to do much about it. The powers of select committees are tightly circumscribed. The most important part of his message was 'Just leaving it isn't an option.' This suggests strongly to me that he has heard of plans which are afoot, but does not know the full details. That would explain why he qualifies his statements by saying, 'I think...' I have heard a rumour that the White paper on Education due out in a few weeks will contain something about home education.
A white paper on home education does not mean a new law on home home education Webb hundreds of white papers are issued but very few amount to anything! house commons is full up with white papers and green papers and reports but very rare those things become law!
Whilst it was the case that in the past chairs of select committees may have had relatively little power, this was not always the case; for example Tony Wright as chair of the Public Admin committee was undoubtedly influential. Moreover, the role of the committees has been strengthen, and Graham was elected by fellow MPs as chair and this will give him legitimacy and power that a chair under the old committee system did not easily have.
I think that Graham Stuart is a rising star in Politics. I wouldn't be surprised if we see him as Prime Minister in the future if this stupid system continues.
Long may he shine.
Danae
http://www.threedegreesoffreedom.blogspot.com
Here is a very pertinent heads up from the lists, thank you to the individual who posted this, you know who you are and I would be delighted if you would post here and let people know.
Education Select Committee session on Child Safeguarding:Graham Stuart on the Khyra Ishaq case talking to
Colin Green ("Association of Directors of Children’s Services
Spokesperson on Safeguarding"):
"Q34 Chair [Graham Stuart]: Social services did not follow the
process, though-they did not even know the process. They thought that
if a child was home educated, they did not have a welfare role. They
thought that that welfare role was the home educated team’s job, but
it wasn’t and it never was. It was quite clear in all the guidelines
on home education and on children missing school, yet they were
confused about the most basic functions of their role in protecting
children. How was that possible?
Colin Green: It was possible because people get into a trammelled
mindset in following the process. They thought, "Ah, this is home
education, I have categorised it as that." They did not think about it
in a broader sense, about understanding the meaning of what had
happened to that family and to many of these other challenging
families. Social services did not try to understand why things were
going catastrophically wrong for these children who had been
reasonably well cared for, up to a certain point. People were in their
tramlines, and when you have that mindset and a service under enormous
pressure, with-as we do currently-increased demand, increased
complexity and high expectations, that is when things can go wrong."
Here's the link to the transcript:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmselect/cmeduc/uc465-i/uc46501.htm
I'm a bit lost with the comments here....since when did guidance equal a white paper or new legislation? (although it is sometimes referred to as tertiary legislation esp if it is statutory guidance)
Guidance doesn't involve a white paper does it? Doesn't it have to be published in draft and then consulted on and then that's it? After all the purpose of guidance is to clarify / explain / interpret existing legislation....
I certainly have not heard of any rumour or information regarding any proposed new legislation. I have, however, heard a lot of guff from those currently in opposition in government who are trying to stir things up....
I hadn't realised Simon knew either Graham or those in charge of the "levers of power" enough to say he has no influence....Do tell Simon...? Or is it all conjecture?
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