Now that Maria Hutchings is on the Conservative Party’s a-list of elite candidates, it is more than reasonable to question the full range of her political views.

Her argument – ‘With an increasing number of immigrants… the pot is reduced for the rest of us’ – only makes sense if economic growth remains unaffected. In fact, all the evidence is that migrant labour is driving economic growth in the UK. That growth helps pay for the schooling of Maria Hutching’s son. And quite right too.

Yet we both know that, while the Tories may count her as one of their finest minds, Maria Hutchings opinions are based not on economic reality, but traditional prejudice.

Thanks for your comments.

Stephen.
(By the way, you guessed wrong regarding my views on Iraq.)

Your arrogant and arid comments about Maria Hutchings make it clear that you know nothing whatsoever of what parents of autistic children have to undergo, nor of the way in which LEA SEN officials typically Lord it over parents as if they know nothing. That is bound to cause a defiant reaction in a loving mother. Maria is right that there is a huge drain on public funds on issues which involve reduced funding for the endemic population – you may not like her bluntness, but millions not seeking your badge of political correctness would agree with her.

My local County Council wastes hundreds of £thousands on putting pretty flowerboxes beside village streets while relentlessly allowing autistic children no chance of a future by seeking to condemn them to inappropriate education. I write as a Friend and supporter of an autism school engaged in seeking and promoting miracles for children – the miracle of a non-institutionalised adult life through teaching them life skills like getting dressed, simple cooking etc. You ought to engage in some humility sufficient to learn about such heroines as are working in that wholly exhausting field with the most challenged of children.

LEAs in outer London are a great deal better – a postcode lottery which works against rural areas. Baroness Warnock has very publicly repented of her misguiding of education policy towards inclusion, and (recently) the NUT have lambasted a policy of “inclusion fits all”. I can tell you that every autist genuinely needs help. You become an irrelevance when you lambast somebody who is standing up for what is right; even though her own child is one of those threatened by what is wrong, there are too many like him. And yes, it would be nice if we could then take upon our backs the problems of the whole world. But I’ll bet you were a non-interventionist when it came to Iraq – and time will judge that subject better than you or I.

Stay away from areas of which you have inadequate knowledge. If that means staying away from most areas, then do something useful for young people who don’t begin to have your opportunity of playing with words – as a PR ex-spurt.

Tony