FOLLOWING the recent brave action by headteachers from across the nation in converging on Westminster in order to reinforce the argument for sufficient funding for education, it is encouraging to hear Theresa ‘the dancing queen’ May’s speech announcing the end of austerity at the recent Tory conference.

Whether austerity was ever really necessary and not merely an inbred cultural desire of Tories to cut public spending at every opportunity, is a point now consigned to afterthought but the evidence of the unnecessary suffering that it caused, should never be forgotten.

It wasn’t merely education that was so disastrously cut, but other essential life services across the full spectrum of societal needs, from early intervention programmes, such as Sure Start, to care for the elderly.

Youth services have almost disappeared, while think tanks report on the damaging effects of such short-sighted policy decisions, demonstrated by the rise in anti-social behaviour and more serious crime.

The quality of life depreciation suffered by those already struggling due to political expediency and ultimately inhuman policy making, has been extreme to the point of cruelty and has no doubt contributed to the ever rising rates of stress-induced mental health challenges and untimely deaths.

Either politicians are held to account for their immoral recklessness or such decisions should no longer be taken by those who so obviously lack the essential empathy to govern justly.

Education, social care and housing etc should, like the defence budget contribution to NATO, be a guaranteed percentage of our collective revenue, with no input from money-motivated , brown-envelope-accepting politicians acting on instructions from big business and press barons.

It is not just the Tories that have acted in self-interest over the centuries. Party politics of all flavours has proven to be unhelpful when it comes to what is best for the people as opposed to what is best for the party. Taking life decisions out of the hands of politicians and political parties is essential if we as a society are to avoid such callous and damaging political ideologies such as austerity in the future.

Other changes that would make life fairer for the many would be introducing the rule that politicians should live in the constituency they wish to represent for a minimum of five years before they can stand for election, that they should have represented that constituency at parish, town or county council level, then, once elected to parliament, they and their families must use only the state-funded education and health services in their constituency.

With this element of personal investment and potential repercussion on individual MPs and their families, how long do you think it would take for enlightened self-interest to ensure that all schools and health services were funded fairly and equally?

Whatever else about Theresa May, her misguided morality, her lack of empathy, humanity and rhythm, she at least has the courage of her convictions.

Let’s hope her announcement of the end of austerity is true, for all our sakes, as inspiring and courageous as it was to see those fantastic headteachers standing up for all our children in London. Surely we as a society are better served with them inspiring their colleagues and pupils in safe, sufficiently funded schools, likewise all our health and care workers, our social workers, police and fire services and all the first responders who work tirelessly to ensure our communities are the safest and most positive they can be.

They should not have to take time out of their incredibly pressurised and essential work days to plead to politicians for the crumbs of funding and recognition that they and their professions receive.

Whatever happens with regard to Brexit, let’s hope moving forward for all of us will be an enlightened journey on the way to equality.