Labour are getting their knickers in a twist over a party information pack sent from CCHQ to schools. Trade union funded websites are claiming it breaches the Education Act of 1996 ruling that says political issues must be presented neutrally in classroom. Which is rather patronising to teachers, who they clearly presume will simply regurgitate the leaflet to their pupils.

Talking of balance, let’s have a look at what else is being sent to schools:

“Labour’s biggest backer, Unite, wants all unions to develop “a programme of political education for young workers” to demonstrate the “positive and practical workplace benefits of union membership for young people”. The union is calling on the Trades Union Congress to “consider how this can be developed for young people in education or members of young people’s campaigning organisations”. The Department for Education says it has no powers to stop head teachers from letting union staff into schools to talk to children but has warned of the need to “maintain political balance” in the classroom “at all times”.”

This summer, Unite launched a series of videos aimed at teaching children how to organise public protests, make placards and fight against corporations and the evils of privatisation through the power of trade unions:

Weirdly the videos even attempt to use subliminal messaging, the fictional town featured is called ‘Tethergo’, an anagram of ‘together’. The videos were made to be shown in the sinister-sounding Personal, Social, Health and Economic lessons, in conjunction with union speakers visiting schools. Coincidentally Labour want to lower the voting age to 16…

And what about the NUT. Here, via the Spectator, is a leaflet they distribute in schools:

Sounds like the Tories are simply trying to “maintain political balance” in the classroom “at all times”.