For the world of higher education, April Fool’s Day 2018 has arrived three months early with the news that, in memory of the Roman Emperor Caligula’s decision to make his favourite horse Incitatus a Senator, the loathsome Toby Young has been gifted yet another sinecure, this time as a member of the board of the new Office for Students. The creation of this body has been led by higher education minister Jo Johnson, brother of Bozza.
Bringing us this less than earth-shattering news, the Guardian has entered into the spirit of this ridiculous charade by telling “The former journalist and free school advocate Toby Young is among a group of business executives who are to help head the government’s drive to apply market forces to higher education in England, as new laws come into force that will regulate universities in the same way as water or gas utilities, according to ministers”. Business Executive? Toby Young? Oh, just f
