Free Schools Defeat For Lib Dems

The Liberal Democrats have suffered defeat in a vote over supporting new free schools.

The schools, due to open next year, have been a contentious issue with activists opposing the coalition proposal and calling for the party to urge people turn their backs on it.

Ministers agree the schools would work and call for the government to improve them, branding the move a "illiberal boycott."

As legislation to introduce the schools was passed in July, the defeat will not change government policy.

The result is an embarrassing defeat for the Lib Dem leader, Nick Clegg, just hours before he delivers his main conference address, however the vote is not binding on the political party.

Funded by central government and not subject to consultation with local councils, the free schools are set to open by September 2011.

Parliament backed the Conservative-led plan in July, however some Liberal Democrats expressed concern about their impact on existing schools.

Debating the issue, party activists were told the new schools would be "divisive, costly and unfair".

Peter Downes, Lib Dem councillor said the proposals were "incompatible" with long-held party principles and amounted to a massive centralisation of education provision.

He said: "Free schools posed a "potentially very significant threat to the stability, fairness and viability of our schools system.

"There is no widespread demand for schools to be revolutionised," he added.

Evan Harris, former MP - who lost his seat at the election - commented that it was not illiberal for Lib Dems to be allowed to campaign on issues they felt strongly about.

He stated: "We must be free to fight the Tories at a local level up and down the country."

(BMcN)