The party conference season has drawn to a close and I’ve returned from having participated in several discussions with politicians, policy-makers and commentators. I was deeply heartened by the widespread consensus on the importance of the early years. If the early years is going to attract serious policy attention and investment, it needs first to be recognised by the key decision-makers in both Government and the Opposition – and that recognition is starting to emerge.
Angela Rayner is proving to be formidable in her role as shadow education secretary and there is emerging respect among education and political commentators for both her passion and grasp of the key challenges facing young people. And Justine Greening is demonstrating an analytical, thoughtful approach to her brief – neither rushing into big policy decisions, nor backing away from the big challenges.
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