Blair's plans will entrench unfairness in education system - Davey

12.00.00am GMT Mon 27th Feb 2006

Speaking today at a Liberal Democrat Education conference in Nottingham ahead of the anticipated publication of the Government's Education Bill next week, Liberal Democrat Shadow Education Secretary, Edward Davey MP said "The debate so far over Education reforms has forgotten core principles such as equality of opportunity.

"All the evidence shows that Blair's plans will entrench unfairness in English schools not eradicate it.

"If ministers press ahead with no more concessions, parents need to understand that getting a place at their local school will become more difficult and less fair.

"If Labour backbenchers turn their back on equality of opportunity in education they will be answerable to their constituents and their consciences long after Tony Blair has left Downing Street."