An honorable but futile resignation...

take the strain...

pic courtesy Daily Telegraph on-line

Graham Brady has resigned. A noble but pointless gesture. Why? Because it will do nothing to change Conservative Party policies regarding grammar schools and it will deprive the front bench of one of its best intellects. I read his resignation letter with some sadness as I always rated him enormously. I first met him when he put his name go forward to be considered as the candidate for the Conservatives in the Southampton Itchen constituency in 1992. He wasn't selected but bounced back as the MP for Atchingham & Sale, an area known for the excellence of its state run grammar schools.

The New Statesman article was pushing it a bit but Brady probably didn't deserve the death by a thousand cuts before he resigned. Leaking that Cameron was 'furious', that he was 'dressed down' by Patrick McLoughlin, his chief whip, 'in the strongest terms' for his 'totally unacceptable' breach of party discipline and that he stood 'no chance' of remaining in his post past the summer really left Mr Brady with no choice. He had to go. As the Spin doctors told the press Mr Cameron had decided not to dismiss him instantly for fear of making him a martyr, Mr Brady was doing some spinning of his own, releasing figures to show that grammar schools benefited all pupils in the surrounding areas, not just those attending the local grammar... but Mr Brady must have known by then it wasn't a battle he was likely to win. Public opinion will never countenance the building of a new generation of grammar schools, ever. In 18 years of Tory government, the Conservatives made one serious attempt to create a new grammar school; in the leafy suburbs of Tudor Grange in Tory Solihull. When the proposal was put to parents it was roundly defeated by over 80% ending the dream of a new generation of grammars. As I have attended public meetings for the new schools competition in Southampton, all the indications are that public opinion has not changed unless it has hardened if anything, in opposition to grammars.

What a shame he has gone. What a pointless spat.