This article is the text from a talk given to the conference The Primary Curriculum: English, mathematics and science in 2014 on 27 February 2013 at Canterbury Hall, London, organised by the National Association for Primary Education (NAPE). In it the author argues that the current consultation process is flawed as there is an ideological divide between Subject Association's views of effective learning and teaching and the beliefs of the current government. He argues that the Subject Associations base their arguments on research and years of experience whereas government policy often aims for easy political wins. This means that the current curriculum does not meet the needs of our learners. The article ends with a call for all who are engaged within the education system to work towards a curriculum which has the development of a participative democratic society at its heart rather than the economic needs of the government.