Liberal Democrats lay down challenge to Blair's Education Bill

10.33.52pm GMT Sun 5th Mar 2006

At the Liberal Democrat Conference today in Harrogate, the party put forward its alternatives to the Government's Education Bill. Edward Davey MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Education Secretary told conference that the current Bill focused on standards not structures. Labour's plans are not based on evidence and fail to offer pupils the real choice they will get under Liberal Democrat proposals.

Mr Davey called on Labour rebels to stand firm and work with the Liberal Democrats to get the Bill changed.

Education Spokesman Ed Davey

Mr Davey said:

"Education is best delivered locally, in the community, not by Blair's centralisation of education with his army of bureaucrats. By restoring local accountability to 14 to 19 learning. By taking budgets from the Learning and Skills quangos, and giving them back to elected local authorities. And by making the cash follow the pupil's decision.

"I think we should look at the evidence. Overwhelmingly the research says this: schools who set their own admissions screen out the most disadvantaged. When schools can control their intake, in the face of league table pressures, they weed out the less promising pupils.

"So my message to potential rebel Labour backbenchers is this. Examine your consciences. Remember equality of opportunity. Stick to your principles. Then we can win more concessions.

"We have an opportunity. To be the education reformers with ideas linked to values. Who believe in choice - but not false choice. Meaningful choice, when young learners begin to specialise in their studies from 14. Not undeliverable choice that comes at the expense of someone else. But choice for every secondary school pupil.

"Choice that empowers - stretching the brightest, encouraging the truant to return, and motivating the school-leaver to stay on after 16."