Up and Down This Land

Charlie Elphicke MP, writing on the Blue Blog, heralds the Academies Act.

The new academies promise to make a massive difference to education up and down the land. Could we be seeing the beginning of an education revolution? I look forward to further reforms to give our children the best start in life and help Britain compete on the world stage in the years to come.

The Academies Act is limited in application to England*, so why no mention of England? Instead of saying "up and down the land", why not say "the length and breadth of England"; and instead of "help Britain compete", why not "help England compete"?

What is it about England that these people hate so much?

Michael Gove, Scotsman in charge of English Education, has form.

* The Bill extends to England and Wales but only has application to England. While sections of the Bill do technically extend to Wales, the effect of the provisions will only permit an Academy to be established in England, so it will have no practical impact on, or application to, the organisation of schools in Wales.