Michael Gove Brighton College Speech Day

Michael Gove's voting record is a direct contradiction of so many of Brighton College's most admirable standpoints, I just don't understand the logic of inviting him. It would be so much better to have a speaker who can be inspirational and inclusive to all our children.

During the Brexit referendum campaign I recall Michael Gove regularly appearing in front of banners claiming to fund the NHS £350 million every week instead of sending it to the EU. Even after it was pointed out how misleading this was, it continued to be used and was probably one of the factors which decided the outcome. Should we wait to hear what other disinformation Mr Gove would bring to speech day? I for one would prefer not to hear what he has to say about the environment in case this too is tainted with political expediency.

Poor choice given his daft brexit antics and unpopular education policies. It's not just Brighton parents either - in a YouGov poll last June a colossal 83% disliked him.

This MP has harmed children's education across the country and none more than those from disadvantaged backgrounds. So disappointing

Really don't think we should be politicizing speech day. There are plenty of people who could talk much more knowledgably and interestingly about environmental issues than a politician.

Politicking speech day is wrong. I suspect very few of the young people would want to listen to his man given a choice.

Why make this event a political debate. Plus i do not agree with his views.

I am very shocked that the school has selected this politicion considering the pastionate speech we had from previsous speech days, about how ashemed the headmaster was to be british and got a round of apluse after the brexit vote.

I find his ideas repugnant.

Why choose such a divisive figure who advocates a political policy which - many of us believe -could have such a damaging impact on our children's futures? I feel very unhappy that he is being given such a prominent position on a day that should be a celebration of all that the school represents.

I struggle to understand this invitation. Few people seem convinced by his sudden interest in the environment and many parents feel quite insulted by his divisive politics. Was there no better choice for a day that is supposed to unite the whole school and celebrate the children's achievements?

If this is a hung-over invite from his days as a radical Education Secretary then it should have been billed as such. Perhaps though the College sees fit to use Gove as an example of how to manage employee relationships as evidenced by his removal from said Education Department. Or perhaps as an example of leadership with his stabbing in the back of party colleague Johnson. Or maybe how doing your homework and not preparing doesn't matter when it comes to matters of the UK leaving the EU. Or is Gove meant to be a shining example to our children with his disdain for education given he thinks the UK no longer needs experts. Or really, is it to show, from that master of Brexit invention and plain lying that deceit is now the real way forward. Gove is a unscrupulous, rabid, ideologue of a politician with no personal ethics and with little real regard for the UK. His choice reflects very poorly on the College, the Headmaster and especially the Governors.

Back at Speech Day in 2016, I remember a passionate Headmaster, fully in tune with his constituency of pupils and teachers, delivering a powerful speech, lamenting the narrowness of the world view expressed in the national vote to leave Europe and warning us, as a historian, of the need for vigilence in the face of demagoguery and the wilful manipulation of facts. What has changed? Surely, nothing. While I would not stand against inviting Mr Gove to the College to present his point of view on Europe, the environment, education or anything else in the context of an organised debate, given what he stands for in modern politics, to invite him to be the guest of honour unnecessarily politicises a special day which should, by rights, be about the most recent achievements of the children and the College. And they are considerable. Speech Day is an opportunity to inspire and to bring everyone connected with the school together in celebration. Why risk spoling that with a deliberately controversial, divisive, political guest? What a shame.

Our school deserves better than a two faced liar as a politician.

I don’t think such a devisive politician should come and address the future of our children, when he has wrecked their future with Brexit!

Michael Gove is one of the least inspirational humans on the planet. He lied his way through the run up to the Brexit vote, and is partly responsible for the mess we are now in. My son and I will not be attending.

There is no place for A politician at a school event especially one that is so detached from reality

To have any politician at this desperate time is unfathomamble . To choose Gove is criminal. Out or boycott .

Poor judgement to invite Mr Gove when Caroline Lucas is our sitting MP. Caroline has spent her whole political career fighting for the environment. Mr Gove is an opportunist. I know who I would prefer to inspire our young people.

I have admired previous Speech Day speakers who share their passion, humility, humour and drive with the audience. Not sure Mr Gove is of the same ilk as Richard Noble and Eddie Jones. He is a marmite choice. Is it too late to change?