Ex Education Secretary opposes Blair's school plans

5.11.02pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 13th Dec 2005

Former Education Secretary Estelle Morris and former Birmingham MP may vote against Government plans to reform schools. Tony Blair is facing a Labour backbench rebellion over a proposal to create "independent" state schools in England. Under the government's education white paper, some schools would become self-governing trusts, with more freedom from local authorities over their finances, staff and which pupils they take.

Lady Morris quit as Education Secretary 2002 and then stood down as MP for Birmingham Yardley at the last election. Lady Morris said the plan was "at best a distraction, at worst a change of direction". She said "Show me a school which has changed its admission policy to attract more children from poor backgrounds with uncooperative parents. When schools change their admissions policy it is to attract more able children or a better balanced intake."