Labour should concentrate on true educational reform

1.03.09pm GMT Wed 14th Dec 2005

Commenting on moves by Labour MPs and former Ministers including Estelle Morris and David Blunkett to announce an alternative to the Government's published Education White Paper, Liberal Democrat Shadow Education Secretary, Edward Davey MP said:

"The Liberal Democrats will co-operate with any reformers who share our commitment to equal opportunity for all in education.

"The reality is this is not about new Labour versus old Labour. This is about those who want to reform education to benefit all our young people versus those whose plans would entrench existing inequalities.

"I hope that we can seize the opportunity to make this debate about standards in education. We need to concentrate on changing what happens in the classroom rather than just tinkering with structures."