25th October 2005

Labour are carrying forward its privatisation agenda further than ever. We've seen the latest reforms that hand yet more of our NHS to the private sector now their latest White Paper prepares the way for the privatisation of education.

Schools are being made independent. Soon they will be able to engage in 'joint ventures' with private companies, and the state education system will be just a shell for private money. The 'choice' mantra is dangerous consumerist rhetoric both covering up and creating the new truth: privatisation by stealth. Parents don't want choice: they want their local school to be good!

It is no wonder the Tories are supporting the idea, it is little more than an extension of their discredited and divisive independent schools model. Creation of a pseudo-market is disgraceful, ineffective and inefficient in the field of education. An increase in bussing will be bad for children and the environment and has led to massive problems in American inner cities. Why can't we simply have good local schools and hospitals?

The 'choice' agenda signals to middle class parents that they can 'use' the system to their own child's advantage and to the detriment of children from less advantaged families. 'Choice' of schools creates unhealthy competition between parents, and between children, where what should be being created is community.

This seems to fit well with the New Labour ethos of helping the advantaged progress whilst leaving the less fortunate in the wake of the 'trickle-down' effect that never quite reaches them.

David Wood, Stroud District Green party