[War] United Kingdom: "The Most Valued Resource"

[Michael Downey]

"The Most Valued Resource"
Prime Minister Owen Eckley
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
19 July 2006
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"Our position as one of the three most powerful economies in Europe
and one of the eight most powerful economies in the world is based
upon the skill, qualifications and competence of our workforce and
business community."

Eckley turned to look at his the select members of his Cabinet he
thought would be most important in the coming weeks. The Secretaries
of Education, Culture and Community. And since there would no doubt be
a lot of wrangling with the other parties, despite Labor's majority in
Parliament, the Chief Whip was present as well.

"This is not to be contested. Unskilled laborers do not add to the
growth of an economy. Nor do they add to scientific, medical and
cultural advances for the country. Logical enough?"

The gathered Cabinet ministers nodded and murmured in agreement. The
PM had not bothered to inform them of the nature of this meeting
before commencing, and this irritated some of them a slight bit.

"A key piece of the Labor agenda has been to improve the quality of
education in the United Kingdom, and I plan to move forward along that
train of thought," explained Eckley as he walked away from the window
and took his seat at the head of the conference table. "A better
educated population contributes to a better, brighter Great Britain."

"And new education reform plan?" asked Harold Moncrief, an former
Oxford professor who had just won a Scottish riding in the last
election. Eckley nodded.

"Indeed. We need to stay competitive, and education is key. I want to
introduce a bill that will increase the mandatory school days for
primary and secondary schools to two hundred and sixty days out of the
year. I also want to increase the emphasis we put into physical
education, sciences and in particular, mathematics. I see no reason
our country cannot have one of /the/ best educational systems on
Earth."

"We can only bring about such standards in England for sure," noted
Eliza Sheers, the Whip. This was true. Education in Scotland, Wales
and Northern Ireland had been devolved to the authority of their
respective regional assemblies. Parliament only had power over
England, which lacked its own regional assembly, in this matter.

"We have to start somewhere," replied Eckley. "And I am sure the areas
outside of England will fall into line. Especially when we make clear
to them that we'll foot the bill for the additional costs, teacher
salaries and such, this program will cost should they participate."

"I can understand the reasoning for increased emphasis on math and
sciences," said Moncrief. "But why put so much new importance on
physical education as well?"

"Mind and body are important in a healthy human being," answered the
PM, tapping his own temple. "Plus the fact that many later-life health
problems like heart disease, diabetes, even cancer, can be attributed
to obesity and generally being out of shape. Wouldn't you agree,
Harold?" He patted his stomach. Secretary Moncrief, himself rather
overweight, gave Eckley a slightly sour look. The PM smirked.

"The Educational Enrichment Bill will be tabled and read as soon as
some last bits of language are worked out," said the PM. "I want you
all to know that this will become one of the key issues for this
government now, and we will be putting all of our strength behind it.
I don't care how much whining the Liberals and the Conservatives put
up, I want this Bill passed quickly. It includes the increase in
school days, the increased curricular emphasis, and the increased
funding it will take."

Underneath his exterior facade, Eckley seethed with both excitement
and anticipation. The results of this endeavor could take several
years to produce results, but that was fine with him. If he could have
one legacy it would be that of a generation of British youths who were
better educated than anyone else in Europe. Not to mention more
competitive with the world marketplace. And if better physical
education could in even a small way cut down on national health
problems then, hey, at least the NHS would thank him.
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Actions:
1) Introduce the Educational Enrichment Bill
2) Increase school days for primary and secondary school to 260 days.
Place a greater emphasis on sciences, physical education and
mathematics.
3) Inform Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland that their own
educational authorities will have the increased costs of the program
subsidised by Parliament if they adhere to the program.
4) This is now a key issue for Labor. The government will put all of
its strength behind the bill to have it passed quickly.