Apart from a bright spark of hope in the victory of the Gaza motion, this year’s conference lacked vision and purpose — we need to urgently reconnect Labour with its roots rather than weakly aping the flag-waving right, argues KIM JOHNSON MP

LAST month a new campaign was launched — Time’s Up For The Test. Supported by a coalition of organisations and public figures including Caroline Lucas MP, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and poet Michael Rosen, it’s pushing for an end to the 11-plus exam, and therefore, the abolition of grammar schools and the implementation of a comprehensive education system.
In support of the campaign, Baroness Christine Blower, Labour peer and former general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, has introduced a School Reform of Pupil Selection Bill to the House of Lords.
“The Bill promotes the advantage of a fully comprehensive system. It would end all discriminatory tests which allow schools to select whom they will educate,” she says.

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