The Solidarity Trade Union has criticised the suggestion made by Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families that members of the British National Party (BNP) and other groups may be banned from working as teachers.

In September he asked former Chief Inspector of Schools Maurice Smith to review the current safeguards to protect children from discrimination and the promotion of racist views and to consider whether members of organisations with such, alleged, views be banned from teaching.

As part of that review Mr. Smith is taking representations from interested parties including Trade Unions such as Solidarity. Mr Smith took oral evidence from the Union at the end of last month. The Union will also be submitting written evidence.

After submitting the Union’s views on the matter General Secretary of Solidarity Patrick Harrington stated:  ”We are concerned that the review was considering measures which conflicted with the right to freedom of association, which is guaranteed in global and regional human rights instruments. In addition to these general guarantees case law generally opposes any limitation on the right to freedom of association which is not necessary or proportionate.”

He added “Solidarity would rigorously oppose any restriction on Employment on grounds of belonging to a legal association, whatever that may be, and is already preparing challenges to existing acts of political discrimination in the Police and Prison Service. Our own investigation indicates that there is no pressing social need to add to existing measures which already safeguard children from political indoctrination or discrimination. The need for the review was originally framed as a response to a growth in electoral support for the BNP. We are urging the Secretary of State to look at the evidence and not to make a costly error in pursuit of a vendetta against political rivals. I note that the Scottish Government has already made it clear that they see no need for additional measures.

“Solidarity is arguing the case for freedom of expression and democracy. We seek to persuade. If logical argument does not however persuade we are prepared to take action to crash the New McCarthyite bandwagon. Our traditional rights and freedoms will be robustly defended.”

Solidarity has already carried out research (through Freedom of Information requests) into political activity within schools and found that LEAs report little or no problem. The ongoing results of this research can be viewed here.

* Solidarity is a Trade Union mainly concerned with disputes at work, redundancy payments, unfair dismissal and discrimination. It covers all industry sectors so any worker can join. Membership subs are just £5 a month or £60 a year. You can join online here or request an application pack by email here.