Nursery World - Editor's view (96)

The countdown to the next election is truly under way - and childcare is right at the top of the policy agenda (see News, page 4, and Beatrix Campbell, page 9). Last week saw unprecedented activity from the main parties, with Conservative leader Michael Howard releasing his childcare strategy from an Asquith Court nursery, and Labour countering as Tony Blair spoke at length at the Daycare Trust's annual conference. It's hard to imagine either of these events taking place until recently.

Last week saw unprecedented activity from the main parties, with Conservative leader Michael Howard releasing his childcare strategy from an Asquith Court nursery, and Labour countering as Tony Blair spoke at length at the Daycare Trust's annual conference. It's hard to imagine either of these events taking place until recently.

Meanwhile, children's minister Margaret Hodge went head-to-head with Theresa May (to rather frustrating effect on 'Newsnight', where Jeremy Paxman showed unbridled glee in prodding the two women to spar without allowing any serious debate or acknowledging the progress made so far by Labour!) The Tories 'pay grandmothers for childcare' policy is obviously aimed at pleasing a central group of their traditional voters, while Labour is wooing the younger women who have become disenchanted with the party.

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