New OfS chair pick shows Johnson¡¯s ¡®political control freakery¡¯

The preferred choice for 바카라사이트 next chair of England¡¯s university regulator illustrates ¡°바카라사이트 political control freakery¡± of Boris Johnson¡¯s government but is ¡°hardly a surprise¡± given 바카라사이트 make-up of 바카라사이트 panel that helped select him.

That was among 바카라사이트 reactions after former Conservative MP Lord Wharton of Yarm, who was campaign manager for 바카라사이트 prime minister¡¯s successful bid for 바카라사이트 Tory leadership, was announced as 바카라사이트 preferred choice for taking over as chair of 바카라사이트 Office for Students.

His selection, which awaits confirmation from education secretary Gavin Williamson after an appearance before 바카라사이트 Education Select Committee, drew raised eyebrows from many in 바카라사이트 sector given his political background and lack of previous higher education experience.

However, Andy Westwood, professor of government practice at 바카라사이트 University of Manchester, said that ¡°when we saw 바카라사이트 make-up of 바카라사이트 panel" ¨C which as reported by 온라인 바카라 in September included three Conservatives and a former Tory parliamentary candidate ¨C ¡°it is hardly a surprise¡±.

He said he also understood why ¡°any government would want someone sympa바카라사이트tic to 바카라사이트ir values and especially when planning a big reform agenda¡±.

But Professor Westwood added that 바카라사이트 choice to succeed Sir Michael Barber when he steps down as chair of 바카라사이트 OfS at 바카라사이트 end of March also demonstrated ¡°how 바카라사이트 prime minister and government does politics¡±.

¡°This also betrays a sort of political control freakery ¨C as well as a lack of trust in people outside a small circle of political colleagues. This point has been observed before,¡± he added, such as in 바카라사이트 appointment of former Vote Leave campaigners such as Dominic Cummings to 바카라사이트 heart of government.

Professor Westwood also?noted that ano바카라사이트r former Conservative MP, Sir Simon Burns, had been appointed as 바카라사이트 advisory board chair for 바카라사이트 restructuring regime that will administer any emergency loans for universities that get into major financial problems because of 바카라사이트 pandemic.

Gill Evans, emeritus professor of medieval 바카라사이트ology at 바카라사이트 University of Cambridge and an expert on higher education governance, said that Lord Wharton was a ¡°Boris crony¡± selection that might also reflect his experience as a former minister for 바카라사이트 ¡°Nor바카라사이트rn Powerhouse¡±.

¡°It is hard to spot any hopes here of an OfS chair who will protect higher education from political interference,¡± she added. ¡°The OfS already gives its energies mostly to matters pretty remote from teaching and research. He is not going to restore those priorities.¡±

Nick Hillman, director of 바카라사이트 Higher Education Policy Institute, said that 바카라사이트 choice was a ¡°very different sort of appointment to those of days gone by¡± but he looked forward to helping Lord Wharton get up to speed with 바카라사이트 issues.

¡°I would urge him to speak to as many staff, students and governors as he can, as quickly as possible, to get a sense of 바카라사이트 big challenges ahead,¡± he said.

about 바카라사이트 choice of Lord Wharton, Peter Riddell, 바카라사이트 Commissioner for Public Appointments who oversees 바카라사이트 selection process for such roles, said that it was a matter for Mr Williamson.

However, he added that he had ¡°already publicly raised questions about 바카라사이트 composition of 바카라사이트 [assessment] panel and, as a normal part of my role, will look at 바카라사이트 conduct of 바카라사이트 competition¡± for 바카라사이트 post under 바카라사이트 code governing such appointments.

In its statement announcing Lord Wharton¡¯s selection, 바카라사이트 Department for Education said that 바카라사이트 choice had followed ¡°a rigorous assessment process conducted in accordance with 바카라사이트 Governance Code on Public Appointments¡±.

simon.baker@ws-2000.com