“The English think they are free. They are only free during the election of Members of Parliament.”
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
After months of speculation about the date of the UK General Election the Prime Minister decided that (after a quick chat with the King) it will be held on Thursday 4th July. Cue a media frenzy, a rain-soaked politician and a protester playing a previous election theme tune. Things can only get better. It isn’t just the UK who will have an election, 72 other countries will go to the ballot box during the course of the year. Democracy, despite the many threats against it, is still alive.
A General Election gives us the chance to hear what politicians want to do before they are restricted by the realities of office. We hear the plans that politicians have, particularly those that are made by those seeking to take power: such promises are easy to make on the political stump and can prove a little more difficult to deliver. Over the years there have been many promises made, once rather memorably carved on large blocks of stone, and at other times explained in detailed manifesto promises. Many politicians favour the pledge card approach, a few key points or promises outlined on a handy pocket-sized card.
As a British School we follow a national curriculum set by the Department for Education so what can be said during the election campaign can find its way into our classrooms more quickly than we might imagine. Tony Blair memorably put education at the heart of his campaign in 2001 with his “triple E” speech in which he pledged to make Britain “a learning society”, although it would seem in this election education will be less central.
Imagine for a moment what you might put on an election pledge card to improve education. I’d be keen to see something on exam reform, a lessening of mental pressure on young people and reductions to university costs. A good start. Whatever politicians decide it would be encouraging to believe that our future leaders would place the needs of young people at the heart of all that they plan to do. Politicians have the incredible privilege to lead a country and their vision should be that of leaving the place better than they found it. We can hope.
Earlier in the week I was telling a group of people that the BSP is a school that aims to produce young people who will go on to be leaders in their communities, wherever they might be. Whilst this election may not have an educational focus, I hope that as our young people grow into the leaders we need them to be they will ensure that educational opportunities are spread as widely as they can be. Their support of the school charity shop in aid of schools in Cambodia suggests that they are being influenced to think of the bigger picture, such broad and inclusive vision is encouraging to see.
Nicholas Hammond
Headmaster
