Who to vote for as a teacher?

[Pud2]

I just wondered who everyone is thinking of voting for? It seems to me that the teaching profession is in crisis at the moment, under this government. I think it was in a much better position 10 years ago - there were many more LA consultants, the National Strategies offered good training opportunities and there seemed to be more opportunities for teachers in general. And, of course, stress levels were not as high and there seemed to be less pressure and more time to just get on and teach.

Certainly not those in power now

Absolutely not Conservative.

It'll be Labour for me; in this area, they are the only party that stand a chance of getting the Tories out.

What are your realistic choices locally? What is your MP's record on education issues, whatever party they are? (You can look up how they voted on They Work For You). I read today there are only about 150 constituencies where an individual vote can make much difference, so if you feel strongly about particular issues, maybe you should email your MP instead. I'm not saying don't vote, but I'm in a constituency where only the Tories and UKIP () have any chance so I'm more interested in what they have to say given that it might actually come to pass.

What I am saying is don't 'vote as a teacher' if it means wasting your vote - vote for the lesser of two evils. Or you may get the other.

In my area labour will get in no matter what. I will probably vote lib dem as Tory have no chance to get in my area and I prefer lib dem policies. However our labour mp has been very vocal in parliament against academies.

I don't know any teachers that are planning to vote Conservative. Or any teachers' -most of the teachers I know are female- husbands!

I will be voting Green - safe Tory seat so it makes no real odds - but they have the only half-decent education policies. I used to support Labour but I feel that across a range of issues, not just education, the Green Party now much more strongly represents my values and beliefs.

Conservative. (I am teacher, and those who say they don't know any teachers voting Conservatvie clearly don't get out much...) We have a fantastic local MP who works hard on local issues, gets properly involved in things, not just as a as a figurehead or mouthpiece. And as the only alternative would be Labour, no contest, since they have completely unrealistic policies and made a monumental mess of things by borrowing irresponsibly under Gordon Brown's 'stewardship' of the economy.

I get out loads, thanks!

I get out plenty too. Conservatives have made a complete hash of education amongst other things!

And the Labour party in all their years in power left a perfect system behind? And they would have had vast quantities of money to spend in it if they had remained in power? Except that Gordon Brown blew that when he cynically borrowed and spent on as if there was 'free money'. There is no free money. Even the taxes he got in from the bonuses of the bankers he chose not to regulate would go nowhere near finding his spree, and tho' there are still deluded people who like to think that 'taxing the bankers' is a viable route to paying for their wish-list.

Hmmm. Archangela sticking up for bankers ....
I know one teacher who voted conservative last time ... She isn't this time.
Maybe you work in a very different educational environment than me ...

I am not 'sticking up for bankers - I think Gordon Brown should have regulated the banks - he preferred to take the tax revenue and let them run rings around him. But the funds for a bottomless pit of gvt spending are way too much for that to be more than the most miniscule contribution now. Voting Labour means voting for borrowing, and just pushing the liability onto future generations. Maybe you think that's okay - jam today to pay teachers more and ignore the consequences as you won't be around to have to suffer them..

Yes if course arc because that's just what I have said ???
You may not realise but Gordon Brown (sadly) is no longer in power, the Tories have spent more than labour and the country is in a mess.
Oh and please don't tell me or suggest that I ignore the consequences as I won't be around to suffer them as a) I hope to be around for a good few years yet b) I am VERY future aware especially environmentally believing the adage 'we do not inherit the earth from our parents, we borrow it from our children and c) personally I feel the future for ALL will be more secure under labour not just the elite few. My opinions.

Arcangela must the Head of a free school or an academy on a ££££'s wage.

Actually-I've just remembered, there was one teacher at my last school who voted Tory. Her husband is an accountant-who is very comfortably off-and the Tory benefits to his income was more beneficial than the affects to teaching were negative on her very part time wage.

Interestingly, she's not voting Tory this time!

Well, I don't know a single teacher who votes conservative, and I've been teaching 20 years. All my colleagues vote Labour, I do, and so do our SMT?

You won't find many teachers who admit to voting Conservative! That doesn't mean that none do. Still being a unionised profession it's hardly surprising that the Labour Party view is touted as the best and not surprising many teacher are members of the Labour Party and don't mind saying they will vote that way.

It's the same in many unionised industries, the Conservative voters are usually the ones that go quiet when politics are mentioned!

Maybe it's where we live but we know lots of Conservative voting teachers.

All my colleagues are quite clear about who they vote for, and indeed vociferous about it. No one stays quiet ever...

Let's not forget that it was Blair who introduced academies.

Please no, not Gove back again. Where did you hear that?

Gove, millions of pounds wasted on more free schools that will astound everyone by getting an RI in their first Ofsted, levels that no-one understands, 11 year olds 'failing' at their SATs and being forced to resit in Y7, narrow tests for Y2s sucking the fun out of learning and tests for 4 year olds before they've started what should be an enjoyable time at school.

I think I'll be off. There must be another country where teaching isn't like this.