Conservative education ministers have all held on to their seats as their party heads to an overall majority in the general election.
Education secretary Nicky Morgan led the Tory charge as she reclaimed her marginal seat in Loughborough.
Morgan’s seat had long been touted as a potential scalp for Labour, but she eased to victory with a 17.7 per cent majority.
She told the Leicester Mercury: “I’ve campaigned on local issues and my track
record as a member of parliament. I’ve done lots of door knocking and standing in the market talking to people.
“One big issue has been the economy and jobs. People wanted stability. They look at Greece and realise they can’t take the economy for granted.”
“I’d felt the so-called neck-and-neck situation would not be reflected in the actual results.”
A fellow Tory education minister also singled out as a potential upset was Edward Timpson in Crewe and Nantwich.
But he beat Labour rival Adrian Heath by 22,445 votes to 18,825.
School reform minister Nick Gibb, skills and equality minister Nick Boles and childcare minister Sam Gyimah all won with large majorities.
Another Conservative who we may be seeing more of in the education world is Charlotte Leslie.
The former education select committee member has been instrumental in the Royal College of Teaching and she won the marginal Bristol North West with 44 per cent of the vote.
As the Conservatives head for an overall majority, Schools Week editor Laura McInerney explains here what this means for our schools.
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