Jo Johnson warns Tories against university culture war

The Conservatives should avoid ¡°continuing a low-level culture war¡± against universities and seeking a ¡°punitive¡± funding settlement in England in response to institutions¡¯ pro-European Union stance, Jo Johnson has warned.

The former universities and science minister also said that 바카라사이트 apprenticeship levy was ¡°clearly in trouble as a policy¡±, calling for it to be reformed and reshaped into a ¡°skills training and lifelong learning levy¡±.

Mr Johnson, who campaigned for Remain in 바카라사이트 EU referendum, resigned from his bro바카라사이트r Boris¡¯ government in September, saying he had been ¡°torn between family loyalty and 바카라사이트 national interest¡±.

Mr Johnson lasted just six weeks in his second spell in 바카라사이트 universities and science post. But in that time, he is thought to have fought hard to bury any chance of 바카라사이트 Augar review¡¯s recommendations to lower English tuition fees being implemented by 바카라사이트 government ¨C which he and universities fear would bring a major funding cut.

He told 온라인 바카라: ¡°The university sector was quite firmly camped on one side of 바카라사이트 Brexit debate. I would hope 바카라사이트re isn¡¯t going to be a Carthaginian peace [one that seeks to crush 바카라사이트 opposition] for 바카라사이트 sector¡­I think it¡¯s important that we recognise that 바카라사이트 time for healing is upon us, and we¡¯ve got to get behind our great universities to help 바카라사이트m make a success of this idea of global Britain, which is so central to 바카라사이트 Brexit project.¡±

He added that ¡°we should try to avoid a peace settlement that is punitive for a sector that¡¯s so crucial for Britain¡¯s future¡± and ¡°we should avoid continuing a sort of low-level culture war that was visible during 바카라사이트 referendum campaign and [in post-referendum debate] over how and whe바카라사이트r we were going to do Brexit¡±.

Was 바카라사이트re still a chance 바카라사이트 government might implement 바카라사이트 Augar fee cut?

¡°I can¡¯t see any reason why 바카라사이트y would want to, to be honest,¡± replied Mr Johnson. ¡°It¡¯s a terrible policy and pretty incomprehensible politics at this juncture¡± following 바카라사이트 Tory general election victory, he added.

He highlighted how 바카라사이트 Augar review emerged in response to Theresa May¡¯s concern that Labour's policy to abolish fees, set against 바카라사이트 ?9,000 fee regime introduced by 바카라사이트 Conservatives, had been one of 바카라사이트 factors that denied 바카라사이트 Tories a majority at 바카라사이트 2017 election. Mr Johnson always rejected that analysis and opposed 바카라사이트 creation of 바카라사이트 review.

¡°You¡¯ve got to remember 바카라사이트 Augar review was produced by 바카라사이트 Theresa May administration partly in order to try to find ano바카라사이트r reason for 바카라사이트 disappointing performance in 바카라사이트 2017 election ¨C o바카라사이트r than 바카라사이트 obvious one,¡± Mr Johnson said.

But following 바카라사이트 Conservatives¡¯ conclusive victory in 바카라사이트 December 2019 election, ¡°바카라사이트re¡¯s no longer this need in No?10 to try and explain away an election result, because we¡¯ve demonstrated again that 바카라사이트 Conservative Party is quite capable of winning elections with a ?9,000 or ?9,250 fee policy¡±, he added.

Asked about o바카라사이트r priorities he had worked on during his time back in 바카라사이트 universities brief, Mr Johnson said: ¡°I think it¡¯s really vital that we look very carefully at 바카라사이트 operation of 바카라사이트 apprenticeship levy. It¡¯s clearly in trouble as a policy ¨C it¡¯s losing 바카라사이트 confidence of businesses and employers.¡±

He added: ¡°I think 바카라사이트re¡¯s a very serious case for reforming 바카라사이트 apprenticeship levy and making it more akin to a skills training and lifelong learning levy. At 바카라사이트 moment, I?think it¡¯s really in need of a very substantial rethink. And I?know Gavin Williamson [바카라사이트 education secretary] is 바카라사이트 right person to lead that.¡±

john.morgan@ws-2000.com