The NEU kept children and teachers safe during the pandemic, yet we are disgracefully slandered by the politicians who have truly failed our children by not funding a proper education recovery programme — here’s what is needed, explains KEVIN COURTNEY

EARLIER this month the Guardian reported that the Tories hope to win Labour seats at the general election “with a tough stance on law and order.”
This follows a string of tabloid-friendly announcements by Boris Johnson’s government in October, including extending sentences, creating 10,000 new prison places, increasing police numbers and giving the police more stop-and-search powers.
Polling indicates these proposals may have widespread public support. An August 2019 YouGov poll found that 75 per cent of people support increasing stop-and-search powers, including 61 per cent of Labour and Liberal Democrat voters.

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