Ruth Kelly

Main article: Education and Inspections Act 2006

A controversy in Kelly's time at the DfES was the proposed introduction of trust schools. The Trusts were intended to be non-profit making and to have charitable status, although they could be formed by commercial enterprises. In fact, one of the early DfES-hosted seminars on the establishment of Trusts included representatives from Microsoft and KPMG. ^[29] However, it was their ability to set their own admission arrangements that generated the most criticism.

A large number of Labour backbenchers, as well as numerous party luminaries like Neil Kinnock and former Education Secretary Estelle Morris, made known their opposition to the proposals and published an alternative white paper. ^[30] Faced with such a rebellion, the government initially stressed that it would "press on" with the reforms. However, new Tory leader David Cameron unexpectedly announced that these reforms were in line with Tory policies and that he would support the bill if presented in the proposed form. The government were faced with the prospect of pushing through their reforms only with opposition support and in the face of increased resistance from its own supporters.

When the Education and Inspections Bill 2006 was finally published on 28 February 2006, it contained much of what had been trailed, although most notable by its absence was any mention of "trust school". Foundation and Voluntary Aided schools were left to pick up the mantle of trust schools.

Religion and political views

The effect of her religious viewpoint on her opinions regarding controversial scientific questions has been of concern to some scientists who have speculated that her religious views could have an effect on government policy regarding stem cell research. ^[8]

Children's schooling

All four of Kelly's children started at a Roman Catholic primary school in Wapping, east London. ^[31] However, on 8 January 2007, the Daily Mirror revealed that she had withdrawn her son from the voluntary aided school, and — following professional advice ^[32] — sent him to a preparatory school that specialises in the education of boys aged 7–13 with dyslexia and/or developmental coordination disorder. ^[33] Though the additional cost for specialist support outside the state sector sometimes is covered by the local authority, Kelly stated she has not and will not seek its help in meeting these costs. ^[32]

According to Ofsted inspection in 2002 ^[34] "those with special educational needs, make particularly good progress" at English Martyrs Roman Catholic school,^{[ clarification needed ]} and that pupils generally meet "standards that are much better than those gained by pupils in similar schools". The school achieved the best exam results in the borough of Tower Hamlets ^[35] and among the best in the UK, with 96% of children reaching the expected standard for English, and 100% for Maths and Science. ^[36] The area's education authority also runs six special needs schools within reach of Kelly's home and responded to the controversy saying, "We are proud of the quality of education we offer to all children. We have a strong record in helping children with a wide range of learning needs to succeed." ^[37]

Ian Gibson, Labour MP for Norwich North, called the decision "a slap in the face for the teachers and pupils in the school the child has been taken out of". ^[38] However, Conservative Party leader David Cameron, whose own disabled son Ivan attended a state special needs school, ^[39] defended her decision, saying "People should recognise that politicians like everyone else are parents first and will act in the best interests of their children". ^[40]

Kelly made a complaint to the Press Complaints Commission about the Mirror's reporting of the story, but the complaint was rejected, with the PCC ruling that the story was "a matter of considerable public interest", given that she is "a Cabinet minister – who had previously been Secretary of State for Education and Skills", and "even if government policy included an acceptance of private schooling for those with special needs, the fact that the complainant did not feel that the current state system could meet her child's requirements raised questions about the nature of publicly-funded schooling and its ability to cater for children with special needs – including those whose families would not be able to pay for private schooling." ^[41]

Fathers for Justice attacks

Twice Kelly has been targeted by members of fathers' rights group Fathers 4 Justice in egg-throwing incidents. The first was in April 2005; protester Simon Wilmot-Coverdale was charged, and in February 2006 Kelly gave evidence at Salford Magistrates Court. As she left the court, she was again attacked, this time by Michael Downe; the egg smashed on the back of her head. ^[42] Downes was fined and given an ASBO, which he proceeded to rip up outside the court, promising to continue to fight for fathers' rights. ^[43]

Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government

After the English local elections in May 2006, Kelly was appointed Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, a position created when these functions were split off from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The department also took over the Home Office's responsibilities for active communities and civic renewal. She was also given the post of Minister for Women and Equality. Kelly's successor at the Department for Education and Skills was Alan Johnson.

On 16 October 2006, she announced that her new role would involve cutting down on extremists within communities. ^[44]

Catholic social views and homosexuality

See also: Catholic Church and homosexuality

Kelly's staunchly Catholic beliefs and social positions clashed with her Cabinet position as a member of Tony Blair's government, which was pushing for a number of progressive reforms and equality for gay and bisexual people. Criticism intensified when Kelly later became Minister for Women and Equality, and criticism was aired on BBC Radio 5 Live and the front page of The Independent in 2006 over her stance on homosexuality. Blair's government repealed many laws that were perceived as being anti-gay, but Kelly consistently opted out of voting on her party's measures. Kelly opposed lowering the age of consent for homosexuality, as well as voting against outlawing discrimination against gay couples adopting children. Out of fourteen votes during the Blair government surrounding the political issues of homosexuality, Kelly had only attended two. ^[45]

LGBT rights activist Peter Tatchell attacked Kelly for her views on homosexuality, claiming: "Tony Blair would never appoint someone to a race equality post who had a lukewarm record of opposing racism". ^{[46] [47]} In a letter published in The Times on 11 May 2006, the Catholic Archbishop of Westminster claimed that attacks on Kelly were anti-Catholic. Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor wrote "Ms Kelly may well be scrutinised for her fitness in office. That is a political judgement. But her Catholicism should not be a criterion in forming that judgement." ^[48]

The Observer newspaper reported on 15 October 2006 that Kelly had joined the Prime Minister in seeking to exempt churches from new equality laws which would require Christian churches to treat homosexuality with equal validity to heterosexuality, which Kelly felt went against Catholic teaching. ^[49] Lorely Burt, the Liberal Democrat Equalities spokesperson, who opposed allowing churches to preach against homosexuality in schools, called for Kelly to be removed from the Cabinet. ^[50] It was reported in January 2007 that Kelly supported an exemption for Catholic adoption agencies from new laws that would allow them to refuse service to gay couples. ^{[51] [52]}

Planning decisions

Kelly demonstrated some opposition to the development of skyscrapers from her first months as Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. In November 2006, she stopped the Brunswick Quay proposal, which represented over £100 million worth of investment into Liverpool, from going ahead. The final report of the planners who carried out the public inquiry had recommended approval for the project. ^[53] In December 2006, she called a public inquiry into the 20 Fenchurch Street tower in London's financial district, ^[54] on the basis that a tall building would be "unsuitable for this site". In May 2007, she blocked a 42-storey, 120-m tower in the New England Quarter development in Brighton, designed by Allies and Morrison and being planned by the Beetham Organization. ^{[55] [56]} She approved the building of new homes and businesses in Walker, Newcastle, in a bid to regenerate the area.

Secretary of State for Transport

Kelly was appointed to the position in Gordon Brown's new cabinet on 27 June in a government reshuffle, though it had been speculated she would be removed from the cabinet.^{[ citation needed ]} Within a few days of entering her job, she faced tough work as she was responsible for securing the public's safety through transport after some attempted terrorist attacks. She came under fire for admitting along with other Labour Ministers that she had smoked cannabis as a teenager. ^[57]

Support for biofuels

Kelly's support for biofuels drew criticism from activists who felt that it impoverishes third world farmers to assuage first world environmental guilt. "If people starve because of biofuels, Ruth Kelly and her peers will have killed them," wrote environmentalist George Monbiot in The Guardian . "Like all such crimes, it is perpetrated by cowards, attacking the weak to avoid confronting the strong." ^[58]

Railways

Kelly announced a major increase of railway capacity by providing extra trains across the country by 2010 which drew criticism for her London bias as most of the funding would be spent there. ^[59] She gave the go-ahead in 2007 for billions of pounds of public money to be spent on the Crossrail project in London, which caused outrage amongst MPs in other cities, especially Manchester, who had been told that no public transport funding would be given without a congestion charge scheme. ^[60]

Heathrow expansion

Kelly set out proposals for a third runway and a sixth terminal at Heathrow under new extensive plans. ^[61] Gordon Brown admitted this was one of the biggest challenges which faced the UK Government over the coming years. ^{[62] [63]}

Misuse of public funds

In November 2007 it emerged that Kelly had misused part of her £10,000 communications allowance for party political material. The funds should have only been used for politically neutral material, and Kelly apologised for breaking the rules. ^[64]

Cabinet resignation

In September 2008, Kelly announced her intention to resign from the cabinet to spend more time with her family. This ended her time as Transport Secretary and cabinet minister after four years. ^[65] She did not stand at the 2010 general election. ^[66] Damian McBride, a former senior Labour Party strategist, was shifted from being Gordon Brown's political spokesman to Number 10, after criticism of the way he handled Kelly's resignation. ^[67]

Parliamentary expenses

On 18 May 2009, Kelly became involved in the MPs' expenses scandal when the Daily Telegraph revealed she had claimed a total of £31,000 between 2004 and 2008 for rebuilding, refurbishing, and purchasing appliances for her second home. It was subsequently revealed on 21 May 2009 that some of this money was used to repair damage caused by a burst pipe. Kelly was insured for this damage but did not claim on that insurance after being advised by the fees office that a reasonable amount could be claimed under the allowances system. ^[68]

Subsequent career

In May 2010, Kelly became the Global Head of Client Strategy at HSBC. ^[69] In 2015, Kelly left HSBC and was appointed to become Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Enterprise at St Mary's University, Twickenham. ^[70] Kelly has since left St Mary's University and now works for the Vatican on its financial portfolio. In 2010, Kelly supported David Miliband for the leadership of the Labour Party over his brother, Ed. In 2018, she left the Labour Party over the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn after nearly thirty years of membership.^{[ citation needed ]} In 2022 Kelly joined the right-leaning think tank Policy Exchange. ^[71] Kelly replaced Anthony Ferrar as chair of Water UK in March 2023. ^[72]

See also

• Cabinet of the United Kingdom
• List of Northern Ireland members of the Privy Council

Notes

1. As Minister of State.
2. As First Secretary of State with responsibility for Communities and Local Government
3. As Minister for Women and Equality.

References

1. Aitkenhead, Decca (24 September 2005). "Interview with, and bioprofile of, Ruth Kelly". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 27 June 2006. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
2. O'Neill, Sean; Peek, Laura; Halpin, Tony (17 December 2004). "Ruth Kelly – a private woman who puts faith into her work". The Times. London. Archived from the original on 22 June 2011. Retrieved 3 June 2006.
3. Sharrock, David (23 January 2006). "Ruth Kelly's grandfather was interned IRA quartermaster". The Times. London. Retrieved 22 November 2006.^{[ dead link ]}
4. Opus Dei Catholic sect confirms Kelly is a member The Scotsman , 21 January 2005.
5. Nick Assinder: Blair faces new Church protest, BBC News, 23 January 2007.
6. Matthew Tempest: No 10 mulls Catholic opt-out from gay rights law Archived 25 January 2007 at the Wayback Machine , "The Guardian", 23 January 2007.
7. Steve Bloomfield: Opus Dei: Jack Valero speaks for an evil sect, says 'The Da Vinci Code' Archived 11 September 2006 at the Wayback Machine , The Independent, 10 May 2006.
8. Gledhill, Ruth; Halpin, Tony (22 December 2004). "Scientists are alarmed by Ruth Kelly's strict beliefs". The Times. London. Archived from the original on 8 January 2006. Retrieved 22 November 2006.
9. "Education: Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid". Socialist Review. 1 February 2005. Archived from the original on 23 August 2006. Retrieved 10 January 2007.
10. George Jones: Opus Dei will not limit me, says Kelly Archived 5 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine , Telegraph.co.uk, 24 January 2005.
11. Marie Woolf: Ruth Kelly MP: 'I don't have the choice of taking red boxes home. I have four children, and they want their mum' Archived 30 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine , The Independent, 29 March 2004.
12. "Emergency powers plan published". BBC News Online. 7 January 2004. Archived from the original on 12 January 2007. Retrieved 30 November 2006.
13. "They Work For You". They Work For You. 8 March 2008. Archived from the original on 20 February 2008. Retrieved 8 March 2008.
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15. "Ruth Kelly votes on Iraq was —". The Public Whip. 6 March 2008. Archived from the original on 20 February 2008. Retrieved 6 March 2008.
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18. "Policy report — 'Trident replacement — In favour'". The Public Whip. 6 March 2008. Archived from the original on 20 February 2008. Retrieved 6 March 2008.
19. "Orders of the Day — Civil Contingencies Bill". Hansard. 6 March 2008. Archived from the original on 8 July 2007. Retrieved 6 March 2008.
20. "MPs back 24-week abortion limit" Archived 30 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine , BBC News, 20 May 2008.
21. Pierce, Andrew (24 September 2008). "The rise and fall of Ruth Kelly the youngest ever woman Cabinet minister".
22. Rebecca Smithers: Dawn to dusk care plan for schools Archived 2 July 2006 at the Wayback Machine , The Guardian , 13 June 2005.
23. Millar, Fiona (5 January 2005). "Trust Schools". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 15 June 2006. Retrieved 19 June 2006.
24. Eason, Gary (21 February 2005). "A-levels are to stay say Kelly". BBC News. Archived from the original on 13 November 2005. Retrieved 4 December 2006.
25. Hinsliff, Gaby (8 May 2005). "I won't quit, vows Blair as cabinet rift opens". The Observer. London. Archived from the original on 9 December 2006. Retrieved 4 December 2006.
26. "Review of sex offenders in school". BBC News. 11 January 2006. Retrieved 3 June 2006.
27. "Sex case minister will keep job". BBC News. 13 January 2006. Archived from the original on 19 June 2006. Retrieved 3 June 2006.
28. "Letter reveals Kelly's approval". BBC News. 15 January 2006. Archived from the original on 26 April 2006. Retrieved 3 June 2006.
29. "PM talks of school reforms 'hell'". BBC News. 9 February 2006. Archived from the original on 11 March 2006. Retrieved 3 June 2006.
30. "Shaping the Education Bill – reaching for consensus". Compass. Archived from the original on 10 February 2006. Retrieved 3 June 2006.
31. Kelly 'doing right thing' for son Archived 10 January 2007 at the Wayback Machine BBC News, 8 January 2007.
32. Times online: Ruth Kelly: 'I want to do the right thing for my son' ^{[ dead link ]}, 9 January 2007.
33. "Tennis courts, 18-hole golf course and 'expert one-to-one tuition'" ^{[ dead link ]}, Graeme Paton, The Daily Telegraph, 9 January 2007.
34. English Martyrs Roman Catholic School's 2002 Offsted Report ^{[ permanent dead link ]} (pdf).
35. BBC News: Primary schools in Tower Hamlets Archived 23 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine , 7 December 2006.
36. BBC News: English Martyrs Roman Catholic Primary School, 7 December 2006.
37. "Kelly accused of hypocrisy over son's private education", Will Woodward and Hugh Muir, The Guardian, 9 January 2007.
38. "Kelly defends private school choice" Archived 30 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine , Andrew Alexander, ePolitix.com, 8 January 2007.
39. Ruth Kelly named as Labour minister sending a child to private school Archived 21 January 2007 at the Wayback Machine , This is London, Monday 8 January 2007.
40. Matthew Tempest: Kelly defends private school decision, The Guardian , 8 January 2007.
41. BBC News: news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6495191.stm Kelly's Mirror complaint rejected, 26 March 2007.
42. "Egg thrown at Kelly outside court". BBC News. 6 February 2006. Archived from the original on 26 May 2006. Retrieved 3 June 2006.
43. "Kelly egg thrower avoids prison". BBC News. 15 August 2006. Archived from the original on 8 May 2014.
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45. "Policy report — 'Homosexuality — Equal rights' compared to Ruth Kelly MP, Bolton West". The Public Whip. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 1 December 2006.
46. "Kelly's views on gays questioned". BBC News. 9 May 2006. Archived from the original on 27 May 2006. Retrieved 3 June 2006.
47. "Reshuffle error? Can Ruth Kelly really represent the gay community?". pinknews.co.uk. 6 May 2006. Archived from the original on 17 May 2006. Retrieved 3 June 2006.
48. Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor (11 May 2006). "Letters to the Editor: Ruth Kelly's faith". The Times. London. Retrieved 3 June 2006.^{[ dead link ]}
49. Hinsliff, Gaby (15 October 2006). "Cabinet split over new rights for gays". The Observer. London. Archived from the original on 18 November 2006. Retrieved 22 November 2006.
50. Branigan, Tania (16 October 2006). "Lib Dems urge Kelly to drop equalities brief". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 22 November 2006.
51. "Church gay rights opt-out opposed". BBC News. 21 January 2007. Archived from the original on 6 February 2007. Retrieved 22 January 2007.
52. Wintour, Patrick (22 January 2007). "Cabinet row over adoptions by gay couples". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 22 January 2007.
53. "Liverpool Brunswick Quay Loses Public Inquiry". SkyscraperNews. 17 November 2006. Archived from the original on 30 November 2006. Retrieved 14 December 2006.
54. "20 Fenchurch Street". SkyscraperNews. 14 December 2006. Archived from the original on 11 March 2007. Retrieved 14 December 2006.
55. "Government blocks Allies and Morrison's Brighton tower (subscription required)". AJPlus. 18 May 2007. Archived from the original on 11 October 2007. Retrieved 18 May 2007.
56. "The Argus, 17 May 2007: Government dumps Beetham Tower plans". 17 May 2007. Archived from the original on 26 September 2007.
57. "Top ministers admit cannabis use". BBC News. 20 July 2007. Archived from the original on 15 January 2009. Retrieved 23 May 2010.
58. George Monbiot: The western appetite for biofuels is causing starvation in the poor world, The Guardian, 6 November 2007.
59. Crossrail work to start in 2010 Archived 7 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine , BBC NEWS, 26 November 2007.
60. David Ottewell: MPs angry over London 'bias' Archived 29 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine , Manchester Evening News , 24 October 2007.
61. BBC News: Heathrow expansion plans unveiled Archived 30 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine , 22 November 2007.
62. BBC News: Heathrow dissatisfaction revealed, 21 November 2007.
63. BBC News: Heathrow expansion, in graphics, 22 November 2007.
64. "Kelly offers apology" Archived 16 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine , Manchester Evening News, 5 November 2007.
65. Coren, Giles (27 September 2008). "Ruth Kelly at 3am: I know what happened". The Times . London. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011.
66. Gillian Hargreaves "The great Commons clearout". 29 May 2009. Archived from the original on 31 May 2009. Retrieved 30 May 2009. "The great Commons clearout"], BBC News, 29 May 2009.
67. The Times | Clean up your spin machine ^{[ dead link ]}
68. Daily Telegraph: MPs' expenses: Ruth Kelly Archived 25 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine , 21 May 2009.
69. Larry Elliott (17 May 2010). "HSBC appoints Labour's Ruth Kelly to strategy unit". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 8 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
70. "Ruth Kelly appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research & Enterprise at St Mary's". St Mary's University. 1 July 2015. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
71. Rayner, Gordon (23 January 2022). "Labour plotting 'eye-watering tax increases' as Tories warn £30bn plans will cripple incomes". The Telegraph. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
72. "Rt Hon. Ruth Kelly appointed as Water UK Chair". www.water.org.uk. Retrieved 18 May 2023.

External links

• Communities and Local Government page
• Women & Equality Unit
• Guardian Unlimited Politics — Ask Aristotle: Ruth Kelly MP
• TheyWorkForYou.com — Ruth Kelly MP
• BBC Profile (May 2006)
• BBC Politics page Archived 22 May 2007 at the Wayback Machine
• Ruth Kelly website by the Labour Party

Audio clips

• Talking about literacy on the Westminster Hour in April 2005
• Speaking on the Today programme in 2002 about Stock Market uncertainties when Financial Secretary to the Treasury ^{[ permanent dead link ]}

Video clips

• Being 'egged' by Fathers for Justice
• Her housing policies being looked at closely

The Right Honourable Ruth Kelly
Official portrait, c. 2004–05
Secretary of State for Transport
In office 28 June 2007 –3 October 2008

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Tom Sackville	Member of Parliament for Bolton West 1997–2010	Succeeded by Julie Hilling
Political offices
Preceded by Melanie Johnson	Economic Secretary to the Treasury 2001–2002	Succeeded by John Healey
Preceded by Paul Boateng	Financial Secretary to the Treasury 2002–2004	Succeeded by Stephen Timms
Preceded by Charles Clarke	Secretary of State for Education and Skills 2004–2006	Succeeded by Alan Johnson
Preceded by David Miliband as Minister of State for Communities and Local Government	Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 2006–2007	Succeeded by Hazel Blears
Preceded by Tessa Jowell	Minister for Women 2006–2007	Succeeded by Harriet Harman as Minister for Women and Equality
Preceded by Douglas Alexander	Secretary of State for Transport 2007–2008	Succeeded by Geoff Hoon