Twigg: Labour won't close Free Schools

Stephen Twigg reiterated in his interview with Andrew Neil on the Sunday Politics what he told me when I interviewed him for Total Politics a few months ago – Labour won’t close Free Schools. Watch the interview below:

Tags: Education / Stephen Twigg / Free Schools /

Mark Ferguson

Mark Ferguson is the Labour MP for Gateshead Central and Whickham, and was the editor of LabourList from 2010 to 2015.

View all articles by Mark Ferguson

Which Labour MPs are backing to Burnham become the party’s next leader and Prime Minister?

Over 85 percent of the Parliamentary Labour Party have so far publicly backed Andy Burnham to become Labour’s…

Daniel Green

13th July, 2026, 8:00 pm

Analysis

My political opponent is not my enemy

I never expected to write a LabourList piece about Ann Widdecombe. It’s not easy. I am not going…

Emma Burnell

13th July, 2026, 8:57 am

Comment

‘A wealth tax to save the NHS’

Being affable and relatable already puts you on the front foot, Andy. But you know it’s not enough…

Ian Taylor

13th July, 2026, 6:00 am

Twigg: Labour won’t close Free Schools

Mark Ferguson

More from LabourList

Which Labour MPs are backing to Burnham become the party’s next leader and Prime Minister?

My political opponent is not my enemy

‘A wealth tax to save the NHS’