Brendan Clarke-Smith was appointed minister at the Department for Education on Friday to fill a vacancy left by a wave of resignations. In October 2020 Bassetlaw MP used a speech in parliament to complain that free school meals amounted to the “nationalisation of children”. He also said he believed it was “simply not true” that “people can’t afford to buy food on a regular basis”. Opposition MPs said it was an “absolute disgrace” that Mr Clarke-Smith should become education minister given his views. The MP, who was elected to the red wall seat in the 2019 election, joined his colleagues during the pandemic in voting against proposals to extend the provision of free school meals for the school holidays. During the election campaign, Mr Clarke-Smith also blasted food banks and suggested that providing free food to families was counter-productive. “If you keep telling people you’re going to give things away, then you’re going to have an increase, I’m afraid,” he said, adding that it was “simply not true” that “people can’t afford to buy food on a regular basis.” During the October 2020 debate on free school meals in the Commons, he rejected suggestions that the government should step in to help children who may go hungry. “We need to focus on breaking the cycle where the first reaction is to look to the state,” he said. “It’s a vicious cycle and we need to support families with early intervention and help with things like budgeting and employment. I don’t believe in nationalizing children.” Spain NATO Summit Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved Spain NATO Summit Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved Spain NATO Summit Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved The former teacher, whose role at the Department for Education is his first ministerial job, has been appointed by his colleague Andrea Jenkyns. Ms Jenkins caused an uproar on the first day of her post after raising her middle finger to a crowd of protesters outside Downing Street. A day later he issued a flawed statement calling them “mobs insulting MPs” and saying “insulting MPs” was “unfortunately all too common”. Munira Wilson, Liberal Democrat education spokeswoman, said: “Brendan Clarke Smith is a perfect example of how uncaring this government is in refusing to support vulnerable children. “This government’s failure to help people in this cost of living crisis risks leaving more and more children to go hungry. “His appointment as Minister of Education is an absolute disgrace.”
