Starmer on Homeschooling

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/lots-misconceptions-home-education-062055678.html

Starmer's government is in trouble and so like many politicians in his position he looks to distract, to channel fear and anger, and to utilize scapegoats. As such, he's decided (among other things) to go after homeschooling.

While Christians will be forced to deal with this, the primary focus is the Islamic and immigrant communities. Starmer faces the rising tide of Nigel Farage's Reform UK and as such he wants to triangulate and at least (on some issues) outstrip the Right. Homeschooling is an easy target - all the more as he undoubtedly enjoys little support from the conservative Evangelical community.

The UK government also wants to firmly establish jurisdiction over all children - under the guise of safeguarding. All children must interact with and be examined by the state and deemed 'well', 'safe', or 'integrated' according to modern secular liberal standards. This will allow the state to intervene and steer both the education and child rearing of immigrant children, but to also pry into and open investigations of their parents.

The truth is the state doesn't really have the resources to do this - but such legislation would at least give these agencies a free hand to use or not use it at their discretion.

As far as the Christian community, there is no doubt an awareness of American influence and thus there is some (probably justified) concern that American Right-wing extremism may gain a foothold in the UK. And so while this targeting of homeschooling is probably not primarily directed at Christians, there are some corollary aspects to this that touch on and serve larger governmental and policy concerns.

Unfortunately this move will probably push more and more Christians into the arms of the Tories and even Nigel Farage. This is not to say that Reform UK wouldn't like to see a clampdown on immigrants and their alternative attempts at education. The difference is they will openly target immigrants and give preference to Christians and 'parental rights' but time will tell how this actually plays out. In reality it is Reform UK that should be the most vocal against homeschooling and the potential creation of subcultures. But until they are in power, groups like Reform UK tend to support nonconformity and dissidence. That however is likely to change should they actually have the opportunity to govern.

As far as what the people in the pews actually hear - that's most likely to be a distortion. I expect as much from politicians. What I wonder is how many Church leaders will be willing to toe the line in order to keep in the political fold with hopes of access and influence?