Board Thanks Supporters For Help In Defeating Education Bill Amendment
Submitted to: Organisations
Posted: November 02 2006
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2 November 2006 (Jewswire.com) - The Board of Deputies of British Jews has written to all supporters to thank them for assisting in the successful campaign against faith school quotas. In response to the community-wide effort, the Government announced that it was dropping plans that could have compelled faith schools to admit up to a quarter of their places to children from other faiths.
The Government’s proposal came in the form of an amendment to the Education and Inspections Bill that was debated in Parliament during the week of October 23.
“I am writing to thank you for the part you played in helping to ensure that Jewish Schools in this country are allowed to continue in their present form, producing children that we as a community are proud of, as good Jews and good British citizens,” wrote Henry Grunwald, QC, President of the Board of Deputies.
Grunwald noted that, “one of the most gratifying parts of the very successful campaign was that the entire community came together as one to fight the challenge posed. As a result, and under the leadership and guidance of the Board of Deputies, we were able to speak with one loud and clear voice.”
Less than a week after launching a community-wide protest – which included a grassroots campaign urging school governors, teachers and parents to write to their constituency MPs to express the community’s opposition to the proposals – Education Secretary Alan Johnson announced that the government would not proceed with its proposal.
The Government’s decision came after a
compromise was worked out between Johnson and the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Birmingham, the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols. There are more than 2,000 Roman Catholic and 39 Jewish voluntary aided schools throughout the UK. Two weeks earlier, Rev Nichols was one of four signatories – together with the Sikh and Muslim representatives – to a Board-initiated letter in The Times opposing the ‘quota amendment’ as ill-thought-out, unworkable, and counter-productive in promoting community cohesion.
In the days leading up to the Government’s decision, a series of meetings was held with the Secretary of State, the Government education spokesman in the House Lords, Lord Adonis, and with the Conservative education team. Community leaders throughout the country met with their constituency MPs, who in turn were able to make very strong representations to Government ministers on behalf of the community. Members of the Board of Deputies and rabbis appeared on television and radio and the Chief Rabbi was interviewed widely, spoke with Government ministers and was in discussion with Bishops in the House of Lords and with leaders of the Roman Catholic Church.
“When we began this campaign, we were told that we would not and we could not change the situation and that the campaign was futile. Just six days later, Alan Johnston announced that their proposals were being dropped. This was due in part to the united stance taken by the community, but invaluable help was provided by you and other like minded friends in Parliament and beyond,” wrote Grunwald. “Once again, I would like to offer my sincerest thanks for the vital assistance you provided.”
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For more information, please contact Winston Pickett, Public Affairs & Communications: Tel: 0207 543-5400 Mobile: 07981 701 895, E-mail Winston.Pickett@BoD.org.uk
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