The recently-appointed education minister Andrea Jenkyns has been publicly criticised by teaching unions for her ‘middle finger’ towards the crowds outside Downing Street last week.
The Conservative MP for Morley and Outwood raised her middle finger to crowds and members of the press gathering outside No. 10 as she entered the building.
Where some people may have seen the minister’s side of it, many people including teachers and teaching unions have condemned the action by Jenkyns.
Education Minister Apologises for ‘middle finger’
In a Tweet subsequently critiqued for its poor grammar, Jenkyns described those who stood outside Downing Street as ‘a baying mob’ and noted that she had received ‘a huge amount of abuse from some people,’ yet admitted that she ‘should have shown more composure.’
Jenkyns, who has previously voiced support for former President Donald Trump, has since been heavily criticised for her behaviour – even fellow Tory MP Grant Shapps told Times Radio that he would ‘like to see a high standard of propriety with everyone’ and that he ‘wouldn’t endorse’ her behaviour.
Teaching unions condemn education minister
A joint letter signed by Unison, the Association of School and College Leaders, the National Association of Head Teachers, and the National Education Union was recently published, condemning the MP’s actions and considering the poor example set for schools.
It reads: ‘As representatives of the teachers, leaders and support staff who run our nation’s schools and colleges, we are deeply aware of just how important professional conduct, ethical standards and appropriate behaviour are for our children and young people.
‘We note your comment that you were responding to a ‘baying mob’, plus your justification that ‘I should have shown more composure but am only human.’
‘Frankly, explanations such as this from politicians are no longer good enough. As role models, politicians are increasingly falling short of the standards expected of them. Your words would certainly not be an acceptable excuse from a pupil or member of staff in a school or college.
‘We believe you should publicly acknowledge the impact that your loss of composure is likely to have on the ability of education teams to maintain common decency in schools.
‘Given legitimate current concerns about the conduct of those in public life, we are making this letter public.’