Government reshuffle

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

The formation of Academies can have some other side effects, such as the possible (unwanted?) transfer of land and other assets from public ownership to private bodies. This is very undesirable (IMO) and developers have certainly noticed this.

Unlike with other privatisations, the assets are transferred free of charge. It's monstrous.

[I'm a bit peeved with the software that keeps auto-uncorrectling my "privatisations" to an OUP/USA/Ancient Greek alternative.)

[jean]

"He" is a "she".

But that is not as quote from me. Take the matter up with the Guardian.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

hmmmm Gove might just be a bit of a distraction:

IDS stays in post

Murdoch will approve the lack of greeness

looking forward to the era of Gove FU Fixer ...

[Dave2002]

Unlike with other privatisations, the assets are transferred free of charge. It's monstrous.

Absolutely - it's completely scandalous, and I guess it's going on all over the country.

Also, though - although the academies are supposed to have almost complete autonomy, the local authorities still have some responsibilities to ensure certain standards are maintained, and in addition, if they wish, can charge for services which were previously provided as part of the package with the education authority. Educational psychologists and other experts (e.g legal) could work out expensive for schools which need them.

[P. G. Tipps]

"He" is a "she".

Doesn't matter in these enlightened times, surely ...

[Ferretfancy]

Two points:- 1. Edward Heath was Chief Whip before becoming Prime Minister, and look what that led to ! Gove is an ambitious man.
2. The spider Duncan Smith is still sitting in his web.

[MrGongGong]

hmmmm Gove might just be a bit of a distraction:

IDS stays in post

.

Why is it that I always read that as IBS ?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Gove may be out but Tristram Hunt gave him a ringing if unintentional endorsement in a TV interview.

[Dave2002]

Two points:- 1. Edward Heath was Chief Whip before becoming Prime Minister, and look what that led to ! Gove is an ambitious man.
2. The spider Duncan Smith is still sitting in his web.

Heaven help us if Gove follows Francis Urquhart's progress [I couldn't possibly comment!]. I'd rather have Boris - though that's only marginally better than having a hole in the head. At least he's entertaining, as noted in Outnumbered by a visiting German.

I don't expect IDS will make too much impact.

[jean]

Gove may be out but Tristram Hunt gave him a ringing if unintentional endorsement in a TV interview.

When? Where?

[Richard Tarleton]

The nation's badgers will be waiting with bated breath to see how the replacement of the appalling Owen Patterson with Liz Truss affects them. The bit about her in this interesting Guardian article does not fill one with confidence. "Conservative Environment Minister" is an oxymoron, though it sounds as if the main job of the new team will be to stay out of trouble ahead of the election.

[aeolium]

It is possible that the new Science minister, Greg Clark, may be a supporter of homeopathy since he signed an Early Day Motion some years back supporting the availability of homeopathic medicines on the NHS:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-28317883

Since that EDM was also signed by the current NHS minister, Jeremy Hunt, it may be that homeopathy is gaining acceptance in the echelons of government (with royal patronage to boot).

[amateur51]

The nation's badgers will be waiting with bated breath to see how the replacement of the appalling Owen Patterson with Lynn Truss affects them. The bit about her in this interesting Guardian article does not fill one with confidence. "Conservative Environment Minister" is an oxymoron, though it sounds as if the main job of the new team will be to stay out of trouble ahead of the election.

Well that prospect is quite enough to bring Paxo back out of retirement.

[Richard Tarleton]

I unfortunately referred to Liz Truss as "Lynn", unfortunately my correction has not carried tho' to Ams's quote. Apologies to the excellent Ms Lynne [sic] Truss for the confusion.

[Dave2002]

It is possible that the new Science minister, Greg Clark, may be a supporter of homeopathy since he signed an Early Day Motion some years back supporting the availability of homeopathic medicines on the NHS:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-28317883

Since that EDM was also signed by the current NHS minister, Jeremy Hunt, it may be that homeopathy is gaining acceptance in the echelons of government (with royal patronage to boot).

Seems like a really bad move then - to replace a very competent and able person by someone with perhaps questionable beliefs - or maybe not beliefs, but simply convenient tolerance for political purposes of those who hold very dubious views. Another case of Cameron showing excellent judgement. :-)

I really hope we can credit Greg Clark with more critical judgement than suggested.

It may be that when the EDM was signed that there had not been a detailed assessment of homeopathy, but there certainly has been in recent years, both based on the claims of the processes (!) involved, and on results with patients.