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The author comments on Great Britain's Secretary of Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls, about whom he has changed his opinion during Balls' first six months in office. He states that he did not believe balls would share his educational goals, but he finds that they agree on topics including teaching emotional literacy, improving home and school relations, and furthering teachers' educational opportunities.

In this article the author describes events that befell him during a period in late 2007. He describes the furor that surrounded the publication of his biography of former British prime minister Tony Blair. He records the criticism leveled at the book by Ed Balls, an adviser to prime minister Gordon Brown. A trip to Israel to attend a conference is described.

The author comments on the factors supporting quality education worldwide and the status of education in Great Britain. He refers to research pointing to effective teaching and teachers' professional status as being highly important to educational success. He questions Great Britain's spending on education and on the National Health Service (NHS) and he notes increases in mental health problems, alienated youth, and anti-social behavior. He questions the government's intentions for education.

The article presents commentary on support for the legalization of cannabis in Great Britain. The author notes that in March 2007 the "Independent on Sunday" announced the end of its 10-year-old campaign to legalize pot, based on research showing the harmful effects of concentrated forms of cannabis. He questions why the announcement was not accompanied by an apology to the people effected by their campaign. He calls for schools to emphasize healthy living beginning at the earliest stages.