“The language of priorities,” Nye Bevan declared, “is the religion of socialism”. Labour’s 2017 manifesto prioritised the abolition of university tuition fees (at £11.2bn, it was the most expensive pledge).
Shadow education secretary Angela Rayner was one of those who was sceptical of this choice. At Labour’s pre-manifesto Clause V meeting, she expressed her dismay at the lack of priority awarded to early years funding (which evidence suggests makes the greatest difference to life chances). For Rayner, it is Sure Start, which she describes as having “rescued” her, which deserves the greatest attention.
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