100 MPs support new grammar schools, Telegraph reports

More than 100 Conservative Party MPs are expected to call for the ban on new grammar schools to be scrapped, according to a report from the Telegraph.

The Labour government, led by Tony Blair, introduced the law in 1998 that banned the opening of new grammar schools in England, but new Education Secretary Justine Greening said that the government should be ‘open minded’ about repealing the ban, citing that the education landscape had changed dramatically over the past few years.

According to the Telegraph, activist group Conservative Voice will formally launch a campaign to scrap the ban on new grammar schools now Theresa May is Prime Minister.

MPs David Davis and Liam Fox, who have been vocal supporters of grammar schools, now make up part of the cabinet as Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union and Secretary of State for International Trade, raising campaigners hopes that now may be the best chance to overturn the block on new grammar schools.

Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph, Don Porter, the founder of Conservative Voice, said: “We will be relaunching the grammar schools campaign due to the consistent and considerable interest that we are receiving around the country.

“I am absolutely delighted with the tone, style and content of the new Prime Minister’s agenda. In my view, a fundamental part of social mobility will be the return of grammar schools throughout the country.”