Michael Barber’s star grows ever brighter in the Labour firmament. The London Institute of Education’s dean of new initiatives is the only educationist to get a mention in Peter Mandelson’s new book, The Blair Revolution.
Things may be trickier on the home front. He appeared to blame his “uncomplicated” wife for deciding to reject the local state comps for one of their children. As he told a London conference this week, a good relationship requires three parts praise to every one part blame. “It may be time for a bit of self-reflection,” he added.