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And why wouldn't schools rush to gain trust status?

Look at the wonderful example set by the NHS. Bed numbers DOWN. Employment numbers DOWN. MRSA UP. Debts UP.

The NHS Trust system has, of course, turned out to be a complete failure and an utter disgrace and I am sick and tired of hearing ministers try to change the history books by claiming otherwise. Where once we had hospitals that were the envy of the world, we now have hospitals that would be deemed bankrupt were they a normal, everyday company.

I am also sick and tired of hearing about the "backbench revolt" that is being spewed out of every possible media orifice too. The vote was passed by a majority of 324. Does it sound like there was ANY kind of revolt outside of the ones that are staged to try and convince us all that there is a higher democratic power at work and Blair isn't just getting whatever he wants whenever he wants it.

It was no different with the "90-day holding period revolt"...Blair climbed down and "only" gets 28 days. Like the conniving estate agent type that he is he started at a figure that he knew was too high but also knew that he would get the compromise he wanted because that is how politics is run now. He presented 90 days, he got 28 days. Had he asked for 45 days he would likely have had to settle for about 14. The point is, had he only wanted 14 days he would have asked for 45, had he wanted 28 days he would have asked for 90...

Oh, that's right...HE DID!

THERE IS NO DEMOCRACY. THERE IS NO DEBATE. THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND THE SOONER WE STOP VOTING FOR THEM AND START THROWING THEM OUT OF OFFICE THE BETTER THE NATION WILL BE.

Think about your child's education for just a moment. Do you really want them educated by a burger chain? What about a major industrial company that employs 10,000 production line-workers? How about a faith-based organisation that are going to tell your child what and who to believe in?

Schools were never supposed to be places where children were told who, when, why, where and what to believe. They were supposed to give children the FACTS and let them find out for themselves who they were and what they believe. Now they are simply going to be given the facts according to McDonalds, Opus Dei and any other organisation that has the money to set up a trust.

How many parents groups do you think that will be?

Don't forget...Blair came into power on the back of his "Education, education, education" speech that swore to CLOSE all private schools...AND YOU VOTED FOR HIM.

Something of an about turn I think...Why aren't you asking him for the reason he has chosen to completely disregard the mandate that he was given by you?

Thursday 25th May 2006 | ePolitix.com

Alan Johnson has predicted that "a whole host" of schools will want to become trusts when the government's education reforms become law.

The Education and Inspections Bill passed its final Commons hurdle on Wednesday night, despite another Labour backbench rebellion.

Some 46 Labour backbenchers opposed the Bill in the final Commons vote.

But with Conservative support, the legislation was approved by 422 votes to 98, a majority of 324.

It will allow parents, businesses and voluntary groups to set up schools. Existing schools will also be able to gain greater independence by choosing to become trusts.

In the Commons on Thursday, Johnson was asked how many schools would become trusts by 2010.

The education secretary said he did not have a figure because it was up to the schools to seek trust status, but he expected there to be a rush of interest when the legislation is given royal assent.

"In my view, there will be a whole host of schools wishing to become trusts. I also believe that the prime minister is absolutely right when he speaks with enthusiasm about this," he said.

"The reason why this policy is being put forward is because we really do believe that trusts can bring together the outside experience, the experience of universities and colleges, the experience of business trusts, to actually contribute to raise educational attainment in a school."

Johnson also said there was a "whole series of people" waiting to sponsor city academies, who had not been put off by recent controversies surrounding the 'cash for honours' row.