Melissa Benn could not have posed a more relevant question than “why do we laud the NHS but slate state schooling?” (9 August). But what is the answer? If we could provide anything like the “right one” it could provide new life and purpose for Labour. The only hint Melissa gives us is a near endorsement of Michael Gove’s “militant evangelism about high-quality non-selective education” embodied in his free schools and academies programme. Melissa’s question is surely the basis for the Labour party to begin a serious debate about policy that would be highly relevant to the majority of voters, and particularly poor whites. Not all of our energies should be sucked into the leadership contest – no matter how vital that is.
Frank Field MP
Labour, Birkenhead
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