‘Political’ content redacted from education secretary’s speech

Janet Downs's picture
 1

Not acceptable to keep public in the dark

On 11 October, education secretary Damian Hinds made a speech to the Confederation of School Trusts, formerly the Freedom and Autonomy for Schools National Association (FASNA) and several other names

The speech duly appeared on the Department for Education’s website.  It was headed Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered’.

But it wasn’t an exact transcript.  Five chunks of the speech were missing.  There were labelled ‘Political content redacted’.

What was so controversial that we can’t read it?

Politicians make political speeches all the time – it goes with the job.  Speeches are supposed to inform, enlighten and persuade (even when stuffed with data which is later lambasted by the UK Statistics Watchdog).

It’s suspicious, then, if a politician makes a speech and decides the public is to be kept in the dark about some of the contents.  What was so controversial in what Hinds said to the CST which we are not allowed to see?

I’ve submitted a Freedom of Information request.

UPDATE 22 November 2018:  The full speech was eventually deposited in the House of Commons Library on 29 October 2018.    The file was labelled   Angela_Rayner_PQ.docx .  Papers are deposited in the Library in response to parliamentary questions.    It is very unusual for speeches to be deposited.  Most of the deposits are letters.

 

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Comments

John Mountford's picture
Sat, 13/10/2018 - 21:42

As Roger noted in resonse to another of your articles recently, we owe you a great debt of gratitude for pursuing the truth. In a time when the indifference of the powerful elite in Westminster to passing off lies as truth, we are in need of such a champion. It is, however with deep regret I note over more months than I care to count that the original architects of this site remain steadfast in their silence, uttering not a word. I am at a loss to know whether they have lost interest in the project. I have no concept of whether their silence speaks of anything or is simply a sign of fatigue. Perhaps it is none of my business. Whatever, your hard work in informing readers of these important developments deserves to be recognised.

 

Please be aware that I would like to be kept informed when you receive a response to the FoI request made in this matter. Keep up the good work.


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