The 2015 election has been described as one of the most open in a generation. It seems certain that no one political party will form the government and that there will be another coalition, or a minority government (and not necessarily one formed by the largest party).
While the development and accountability of the English school system is a political issue, and always has been, politicians have much to learn from those who currently manage the system. The voice of local government officers has been fairly quiet during the current debates.
This roundtable will examine the election manifestos for the implications for local government’s education (and children’s social care) functions.
Currently, it seems likely that the ‘balance’ of power may be held by non-English parties, principally the SNP or DUP, with the likelihood that these parties will not be interested in the organisation of the English school education system. It is possible that either (or both) Green or UKIP MPs could be influential in the next Parliament. The likelihood is that there may be a period of two weeks after the election while the parties review their manifestos and work with other parties, either formally in a coalition or otherwise, to put their proposals together to form a Queen’s Speech.
At this roundtable, we will discuss how a locally rooted education service might develop in the next Parliament.
