ABSTRACT
The sense of euphoria, 1997, when the Blair government was elected, is embedded in public memory. It was no different in schools. A senior college lecturer recalls a visit to a comprehensive school, on the morning after the election:
There was a party going on – the head had brought in a case of champagne and everyone in the school was there . . . A glass of champagne was thrust into my hand and a nice bagel with smoked salmon and cream cheese! The break was extended by half an hour (and) the kids had a can of Coke and a Kit-Kat each.
