Kemi Badenoch has accused Labour of putting Britain back under the control of trade unions, branding the party’s school reforms as “educational vandalism.” Speaking to The Telegraph, the Conservative Party leader argued that Sir Keir Starmer is merely fronting “Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party” and caving to union demands.
“The country is back under union control, and that’s what we are fighting against,” Badenoch said, as she criticised Labour’s proposals for school reforms, which are outlined in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. The bill passed its first Commons vote on Wednesday, drawing fierce criticism from Conservatives who claim it undermines recent progress in educational standards.
Labour’s proposals under fire
The reforms seek to remove certain freedoms currently enjoyed by academies, such as control over pay structures and curriculum content. Labour argues that these changes will ensure consistent, high-quality education across all schools, but Badenoch dismissed the plans as a regressive move.
“Their way of making everything equal is dragging everyone down rather than bringing others up. Our way of making things equal is bringing people up,” she said. “They want to destroy the schools that are doing well.”
Describing Labour’s leadership, Badenoch added: “What we have is Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party fronted by Keir Starmer. This is all the Corbynite stuff, but Keir Starmer is fronting it. This is Jeremy Corbyn’s dream.”
Union support and controversy
The National Education Union (NEU) has welcomed the proposed reforms, describing them as a meaningful step towards improving conditions for staff and students. However, the union has also called for greater investment in education.
Daniel Kebede, NEU general secretary, stated: “These proposals have the potential to make a meaningful difference, but without adequate funding, the education system will continue to face challenges in recruitment and retention.”
The union’s support for the reforms has fuelled Badenoch’s claims that Labour is bowing to union pressure. She framed the reforms as part of a broader shift towards union dominance, which she claims threatens the progress made under Conservative leadership.
Industrial action looms
The debate comes as the NEU announced plans for an indicative ballot on industrial action. The union is protesting the Government’s recommendation of a 2.8% pay rise for teachers in 2024/25, which it argues falls short of addressing the ongoing crisis in recruitment and retention.
In December, the Government told the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) that a 2.8% increase would be “appropriate,” but Kebede described this as “insufficient to even start to address the crisis.” The STRB is yet to issue a formal recommendation on teacher pay in England.
Government pushback
Badenoch’s remarks have drawn criticism from within her own party. A Government source dismissed her comments as “absurd,” accusing her of political opportunism.
“These are absurd comments from a politician who has shown this week by trying to block crucial child protection legislation that she is unfit to run this country,” the source said. “Contrary to these ludicrous claims, academies are here to stay – which is more than can be said for Kemi Badenoch as leader of the Conservative Party.”
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The source emphasised that the Government remains committed to retaining the academy system, which has been a cornerstone of Conservative education policy.
A divided debate
The reforms have sparked a polarised debate, with Labour positioning the changes as a necessary step towards equality in education, while the Conservatives warn of a return to union-dominated policies.
As the bill moves through Parliament, it highlights broader tensions between the two major parties on the role of unions, the future of academies, and the direction of education policy in the UK.
While Labour has yet to fully respond to Badenoch’s claims, party officials have stressed that the reforms are driven by a commitment to raising educational standards for all, not by union influence.
What’s next?
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill will continue to be debated in Parliament, with both sides preparing for a protracted political battle. For now, Badenoch’s claims of union dominance and Labour’s insistence on fairness in education remain at the centre of a contentious and deeply divisive national discussion.
