“The book’s publication coincides with strike action called by the two mainclassroom teacher unions in opposition to Gove’s attacks on their members’ pay,conditions and pensions. This, at least potentially, represents the mostserious opposition to Coalition education policies so far. As in the 1980s, theTories know that ‘defeating the teachers’ is essential if their policies are tobe successful. We hope that the teachers’ action will both provide the spacebut also create the urgency for some clear educational alternatives. In fact,this would seem to be essential if the teacher unions are going to be able torely upon support from parents. For, as Clare Kelly notes in her chapter,‘Michael Gove has positioned himself as a champion of the working class,constantly blaming inadequate teachers and bad schools for underachievement’…”
Education, Economy and Society 