Suella Braverman, Reform UK's education spokeswoman, faced heckling and walkouts during a speech to the Local Government Association (LGA) in Bournemouth on Wednesday. She accused some councils of failing white working-class children by prioritizing progressive causes over educational standards.
Key Statistics on White Working-Class Achievement
Braverman highlighted that only 40% of white working-class children achieve a Grade 4—the standard pass—in GCSE maths and English. She described this as a “scandal” resulting from decades of “system failure and neglect.”
Criticism of Council Priorities
She stated that some councils are “more keen to support the children of Gaza than the children of Grimsby,” and accused them of promoting “damaging transgender ideology,” excluding British culture, and focusing on “fashionable fads” instead of special educational needs. Braverman also claimed councils make children “ashamed of our great country.”
Audience Reaction
Members of the cross-party audience interrupted her with heckles, and some walked out. In response, Braverman said: “Local government plays a part. You can deny it, but the statistics show that our young people are being failed in many of our schools and I won’t stop standing up for them.”
Broader Context
The speech comes amid ongoing debates about educational disparities and the role of local authorities in shaping school policies. Braverman, a former Conservative home secretary, now serves as Reform UK's education spokeswoman.
