To both her supporters and disparagers, education minister Jane Davidson is dubbed sometimes The Princess. That’s in honour of, or sarcastic commentary upon, her air of superiority – as befits years at Malvern Girls’ School; aura of confidence; self-promotion – the list of engagements presented to committee is almost as long as the report of ministerial actions taken and contemplated, she being, in addition, the cabinet minister best known to specialist journalists in London; but, most of all, because of her sheer ability.

Indeed, Ms Davidson’s list of achievements and of ongoing plans ensure that this former teacher is held in the highest regard within the education world. Very much outward looking, the AM for Pontypridd has upgraded the Welsh future by modelling Welsh primary and pre-primary education on Scandinavian models. And even creating university-level links with Cuba. Yet now she has set in train her hardest and most significant task ever.

Clive Betts

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