Christopher Chataway - ILEA

ILEA

In 1967 the Conservatives unexpectedly won control of the Inner London Education Authority and the party leadership was horrified to discover that their newly elected councillors were going to try to break up comprehensive schools and replace them with secondary modern and grammar schools. Chataway with relevant ministerial experience was persuaded to take over. He was elected an Alderman and appointed Leader of the Education Committee. Eventually cajoling his colleagues into a more moderate line he avoided a head on collision with Edward Short the Labour Education Secretary and proceeded with those schemes for secondary reorganisation that he regarded as well founded.