ON TWITTER

#EMPIRE

Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi has said that children should be taught about the benefits of the British Empire, rather than focus ing just on the criticisms.

@alibali_b tweeted: “Oppression and exploitation are good for you, apparently. It’s not that nothing positive was achieved, it’s that it was about further enriching the E mpire, not improving the lives of indigenous peoples. Forcing our values on other cultures.”

@kingfrosties said: “There are no positives from colonial rule. H ow dare he say such a thing?”

@I_am_yain came back with a list : “The rule of law; Sanitation improvements; The steam engine; The abolition of slavery; Cricket, football, golf and tennis. The British Empire was also the undeveloped world's least bloody path to modernity.”

@fitzscrounger wrote: “The sun never set and the blood never dried . Aye the benefits of empire can be seen in the public buildings of the UK, elsewhere not so much.”

@maggie31po reckoned: “No wonder the country is in such a state wit h idiotic views like that. Bring back workhouses, quill and ink and the stocks.”

#ALJAŽ

Strictly Come Dancing favourite Aljaž Škorjanec announced that he is leaving the hit BBC show after nine years.

@coolangiewalton despaired: “I feel like the spirit has gone.”

@sparklyfelielf added: “They're dropping like flies. Wasn't bothered at all about Kevin or AJ, not that concerned about Janette (and anyway, she's on It T ake s T wo) but Aljaz and Oti leaving is hitting me where it hurts."

@joycejo wrote: “Oh no, not Aljaz too, I'm sorry and sad to hear this . Aljaz is a fantastic dancer/ choreographer and a really lovely man who has a great personality and is great fun.”

@mayomolly wrote: “The show won’t be the same without him. He always struck me like he was such a lovely kind and very patient mentor. His smile was infectious. Best of luck to Aljaž in whatever he does in the future.”

@divag68 said: “My heart broke a little today.@ Aljazskorjanec is one of the main reasons I watch this show. His smile, his enthusiasm and his skill at bringing the best out of his partners will be sorely missed”