It’s a sign of just how much Cameron has managed to change public perception of the Conservative Party that today’s policy announcement, outlining the need to get tough on unruly children in the classroom, has not been met with the "it’s the same old Tory nonsense" line of argument. 

What’s most shocking about the policy being put forward is that the meat of what it proposes isn’t already implemented as a matter of common sense.  The very fact that teachers are in need of greater support if they are to confiscate the mobile phones of children using them in the classroom speaks volumes of what has happen to education under Labour.  I remember distinctly a teacher of mine who delighted in using the top drawer of her desk to house all manner of confiscated items (from mobile phone, to jewellery not in keeping with regulation).  On the few occassions parents complained about confiscations they were told both by the school and the teacher that the items would not have been removed from the pupil had they never been brought into the school.  Can’t argue with that! 

It’s the issue of expulsion though that should be of most concern to anyone interested in guaranteeing children an education worthy of a leading liberal democracy.  The simple truth is that consistently unruly children limit the ability of all around them to obtain the full value of any given class, whilst at the same time condemning themselves to a level of achievement below their ability.  As is often the case though Labour would prefer that we protect the offender over the victim and insist that the Conservative policy, which aims to make it easier to expel such children, is utterly unfair.  Try telling that to the dozens of children who bear the brunt of the unruly child’s behaviour. 

Labour you see would have people believe that an expelled child is a forgotten one; condemned to a life without education and without prospects.  But such need not and indeed should not be the case.  Once a child has been excluded it’s quite clear that their educational needs should be met; but met in a way that caters to their unique needs. 

Therein lies the challenge.  Sadly though it’s a challenge Labour would rather ignore.