The Minister’s Wife asks that I publicise* this petition.
It being the time of year for robust intellectual political discussion the length and breadth of Britain (discussion that somehow allowed Evan Dando to spend last night wandering Canal Street in search of Eric Pickles), why not?We, the undersigned, call on Her Majesty’s Government to accept in principle that it will make school libraries, run by properly qualified staff, statutory and to prepare the necessary legislation in consultation with the appropriate professional associations and trade unions.
A fine and noble aim, to be sure. Just the sort of thing we should be doing to ensure that future generations don’t all grow up with the sole aim of performing for Kyle and Cowell.
And, I’m confident, precisely the sort of thing Posh Boys Dave and Gideon (educated, funnily enough, in expensive schools with enormous libraries) are planning to unleash on The Oiks the minute they move into Downing Street. You have until 11 December to sign up to be ignored by our leaders. I would encourage you to do so. Of course, I note that the Minister’s Wife does not actually appear to have signed the petition herself (although it seems her mother, my mother and 4,524 others have)… (* I can’t help but feel the Minister’s Wife perhaps overestimates the Ministry’s reach. Nevertheless I’d like to extend a personal hello to each and every one of the nine people who stopped by yesterday. In fact, I could probably afford to buy each of them a pint.)