Grammar Schools and the lowest common denominator

New Labour have been accused often of moving more and more into Tory territory as their 10 years in office have passed. What they have not taken on however is the understanding that many centre right believers have that not everyone is that same, and hence they can legitimately be treated differently. The underlying tendency of socialism to bring the achievers down whilst trying to drag the underachievers up have the overall effect of bringing the average downwards.

Grammar schools are not for everyone, and they do offer opportunities to a limited number, but this still improves the average level of education in the country. This misguided idea of fairness being everyone at the same level is not only unrealistic but dangerous. We should be using the schools which excel as examples of the ways success can be achieved, not criticising the way they got to where they are.

The unwillingness in all parties to deny the existence of a two tier system is strange, and it damages the chances of closing the gap between those who have and those who don’t. This is as true in healthcare provision as it is in Education. Both sectors could improve overall service provision by encouraging and subsidising an increase in private provision, but the lack of political will to embrace the issue for fear of losing the populist tabloid support hinders the advancement of education and healthcare.