Tories save Labour's Education Bill which was a pitiful wasted opportunity

9.57.35am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 25th May 2006

"Education measures are not what parents are asking for" -Lib Dem Shadow Education Secretary, Sarah Teather MP

Commenting on Wednesday's vote on the Education and Inspections Bill, Sir Menzies Campbell, leader of the Liberal Democrats said: "Once again, the Liberal Democrats have proved to be the real opposition to this government. David Cameron's Tories have leaped to the aid of a faltering Prime Minister. Reform and improvement of our education system are vital. But these proposals are rushed, poorly thought out and ill judged. The Prime Minister is in a hurry to create a legacy but risks leaving our public services in disarray.

The Government accepted no opposition amendments to the Bill, Liberal Democrat Shadow Education Secretary, Sarah Teather MP said: "At the end of his premiership Tony Blair is hell bent on forcing this Bill through to prove he is still in charge. It is a pitiful legacy and a wasted opportunity. All the elements of the bill that concern us remain - questions over fairness in admissions, accountability and regulation of trust schools. The reason this Bill has provoked opposition within the Prime Minister's own party as well as amongst Liberal Democrats is because these measures are not what parents are asking for."