Salford-born Graham Brady caused intra-party tension in 2007 when he resigned as shadow Europe minister, after a policy dispute with Cameron in which the Tory leader attacked the grammar school system. In an article for the New Statesman, Brady defended selective entry and challenged the notion that grammar schools impede social mobility.
Since resigning from the front bench, he has continued to champion grammar schools, winning the support and esteem of many senior Tories, as well as the public. He is now a member of the Commons Treasury select committee, and a favourite to be elected chairman of the 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers after the next election – a position that could make him even more influential.
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