Every Tory minister in the Department for Education is at risk of losing to the Lib Dems – prompting the party to declare “School’s Out!”
Three Conservative Education Ministers seem set defeat this Thursday, with another facing a hit to their majority. Gillian Keegan, Secretary of State for Education, is facing the potential loss of Chichester to the Liberal Democrat candidate, Jess Brown-Fuller on what the Lib Dems are calling a “nightmare results day”.
Minister for Children, David Johnston’s Didcot and Wantage seat is also leaning towards the Liberal Democrats. Skills Minister, Luke Hall, may be at risk in Thornbury and Yate, losing his 12,369 majority to the Lib Dems, in what would be a shock result.
And if it’s a really disastrous night for the Tories, even schools minister Damian Hinds could see the gap between him and the Conservatives close significantly.
“School’s out for the Conservatives this Thursday, with education ministers potentially losing their seats to the Lib Dems,” Lib Dem Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper said.
“Investing in education is investing in our future but the Conservatives have let school buildings crumble and overseen a crisis in teacher recruitment and retention. Far from preparing the next generation for the future, ministers have totally abandoned them. Education ministers are facing what could end up as a nightmare results day and a huge defeat by the Liberal Democrats. In many seats across the country, including in these seats, it’s clear that only the Liberal Democrats can beat the Conservatives and kick them out of power.”