A Response to Rod Liddle In The Sun

Blair’s Labour said education was its biggest priority… current government is focused on teaching political propaganda

Dear Rod,

Congratulations on yet another steaming pile of hyperbole masquerading as a think piece (Blair’s Labour said education was its biggest priority… current government is focused on teaching political propaganda). Truly, your ability to condense decades of educational reform into a cocktail of culture war buzzwords, sneering condescension, and unchecked bile is unparalleled. Let’s unpack this latest masterpiece of divisive drivel, shall we?

On "Decolonizing" the Curriculum

Ah yes, the dreaded "D" word—your favourite chew toy. Rod, you’ve somehow managed to twist an effort to make history more inclusive into a personal attack on Britain itself. Decolonizing the curriculum isn’t about shredding Shakespeare or setting fire to the Union Jack; it’s about teaching students more, not less. You know, like including voices that were historically silenced because—spoiler alert—empire isn’t all tea and crumpets.

But no, in your world, explaining colonialism’s impact on the globe is “anti-British.” Heaven forbid we add context to our glorious history of invading half the planet. Your real issue here isn’t about education—it’s that acknowledging any flaws in Britain’s past might threaten your Union Jack duvet cover.

On Relevance vs. Tradition

You’ve reduced “making the curriculum relevant” to some dystopian fantasy where students chant anti-British slogans while burning copies of Macbeth. Relax, Rod. Nobody’s coming for your precious bard. If anything, relevance means showing how Shakespeare’s themes—power, ambition, betrayal—still apply in today’s world (looking at you, politics).

Relevance doesn’t mean dumping Keats for TikTok videos. It means ensuring students see themselves in the curriculum and understand how literature speaks to universal human experiences. But that doesn’t fit your narrative, does it? Better to throw a tantrum about “da kidz” being too dumb for Shakespeare than admit relevance and rigor can coexist.

Political Propaganda? Really?

Rod, accusing schools of political propaganda is rich coming from a man whose entire career hinges on turning grievances into headlines. Teaching kids about gender identity and multiculturalism isn’t propaganda—it’s preparing them for reality. The world is diverse, gender isn’t binary, and empathy is a good thing. Shocking, I know.

Also, this idea that discussing slavery or Britain’s less savoury history is somehow an anti-patriotic plot? Grow up. Acknowledging the bad doesn’t erase the good. It just stops us from repeating the bad—which, based on your column, seems to be your worst nightmare.

On British History and Aspiration

Here’s the thing, Rod: celebrating Shakespeare and Churchill while ignoring figures like Mary Seacole or the Windrush generation isn’t education—it’s nostalgia with blinders on. Aspiration comes from showing students that their stories matter too, not just the stories of long-dead white men.

Your fixation on "self-hating liberals" suggests you’ve missed the memo: inclusive education doesn’t hate Britain; it enriches it. But nuance doesn’t sell papers, does it?

VAT on School Fees

Oh no, the middle classes might have to pay VAT on private school fees. How tragic. Rod, if your idea of aspiration is parents coughing up £40k a year to keep their kids away from “the rabble,” maybe it’s time to reassess your priorities.

This isn’t an attack on education; it’s an attempt to fund the schools that serve the majority of children. You know, the ones you’re so keen to “uplift,” except when it involves challenging privilege. Your crocodile tears for working-class kids ring hollow when your solution to inequality is “let them read Shakespeare harder.”

The Free School Fallacy

Yes, Michaela Community School is great. Yes, tough love and high standards work. But here’s the rub: not every school has the resources, leadership, or parent base to replicate Michaela’s success. Pretending otherwise is like handing a rowing boat to someone in the Titanic’s path and saying, “See? Just paddle better.”

Free schools are part of the solution, Rod—not the whole solution. But again, nuance doesn’t fit your MO, does it?

A Final Thought, Rod

You position yourself as a champion of British education, but all you offer is the same tired culture war diatribe. Change terrifies you, so you brand anything progressive as “propaganda” and whine about “self-hating liberals.” Meanwhile, the rest of us are trying to prepare students for a future that doesn’t involve endless echo chambers of bitterness.

Here’s some advice, Rod: put down the keyboard, pick up a history book, and try seeing the world beyond your bubble of bluster. Education isn’t about preserving your fragile ego; it’s about helping kids—all kids—build a better future.

Sincerely,
Everyone Who’s Tired of This Nonsense

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