Ash Routh

Responsible parents should have the right to take their children out of school for a week during term time without getting fined. If attendance is otherwise good, and the child is doing well, then there is absolutely no reason not to allow a holiday with the family which could often otherwise not happen. Prices during holidays are just so extreme, many working families just can’t afford it. Either go during term time, or don’t go at all. Many parents just take the fine, and go regardless. I don’t blame them, to be honest. It still works out cheaper. Having a week away with the family gives a child such incredible life experience that just cannot be gained in the classroom. Will a few days off school ruin their education? No. Let’s be honest. Let’s PLEASE show some common sense and actually trust parents to do what is right for their children. What a mad idea that is… We’ll be putting this proposed policy to a vote for Restore Britain members, and if it is ratified we will run a serious campaign on it.

I have written to Tim Davie, Director-General of the BBC, calling on the broadcaster to withdraw future BBC coverage of Glastonbury.

Parents should be allowed to take their children out of school for a very limited number of days per year, over reasons they choose. Let's show a bit of common sense here. The prices are so wildly different out of term time, it is often the difference between a family being able to afford a decent holiday abroad, or not go at all. Will a child missing a week of school a year damage their education? Perhaps, a little. Will that quality time spent with their family more than compensate? Yes, yes it will. And that is a decision for the parents to take, not the state. I have pushed the Department on this, with zero progress. They just don't want to know. Let's remember - MPs have very generous time off from Westminster, timed to coincide with the school holidays. Others do not have that same luxury, particularly in areas that are reliant on tourism - like my constituency All of this from the same people who shut schools for months when the virus posed almost zero risk to children, and were desperate to do it for longer. Forcing boys and girls to learn from a kitchen table, and many had no access to proper outdoor space. THAT did far more damage to children's education than a few days away in the sun with their family. PLEASE. Let's just show a modicum of common sense, FOR ONCE. If parents want to take their child out of school for a limited period of time, very occasionally, as they believe that experience will benefit their son or daughter? I say that's their choice.

Let's scrap inheritance tax for farmers, for small business owners, for workers - for EVERYONE. I say abolish the death tax and let families keep the cash their relatives worked hard to earn, and paid tax on. One final kick in the teeth from the taxman. Scrap the whole thing.