Author Archives: Steve Bolter

Opinion: The need for positive engagement on the school exam system

The media are premature in supposing that the Liberal Democrats will divide the Coalition by blocking changes to the school exam system. I hope that Conference will provide the opportunity for discussion of the exam system and that positive engagement will produce something far better than Gove’s initial outline proposals suggest.

Liberal Democrats should welcome the proposal for a reduction in the number of exam boards and call for them to be independent of commercial organisations such as text book publishers. We should call for a better balance of experienced teachers, educationalists and subject specialists, from universities or industry, on subject boards.

Posted in Op-eds | Tagged and | 13 Comments

Opinion: Caroline Lucas is wrong

As a campaigner on environmental issues since the 1960s, I have admired the way Caroline Lucas has publicly championed green issues. However, while I am sad that the Lib Dems have not been able to implement all of their manifesto, I am even sadder that Caroline’s lust for power has overtaken her commitment to the environmental cause.

While the Green Party has played an important role in helping inform the public, it has only a very small proportion of councillors and just one UK MP. The Liberal Democrats, with their far greater number of councillors, their participation in the Coalition …

Posted in Op-eds | Tagged , and | 23 Comments
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Recent Comments

  • Chris Cory
    I thought the draft strategy motion was a definite step in the right direction, especially the recognition of the need to engage rather more with the general me...
  • Peter Martin
    @ Paul, Your point about "Viking and Norse-Gael Roots" would apply to the Orkney and Western Islands. The population of the Northern Parts of Britain , inclu...
  • Simon Costain
    William le Scrope, King of Man, was murdered by Henry IV in 1399 whilst Scrope was on a private visit to Bristol. Thus the island became a crown possession in a...
  • David Evans
    Josh, You say "The Draft party strategy is here", but it isn't here - nor is the e-mail from the party. A google search doesn't find it. Nor does a search ...
  • Paul WalterPaul Walter
    Here is the answer to the question above “why, historically, is the Isle of Man not part of the UK?” “The Isle of Man isn't part of the UK because it was...