Tories turn against grammar schools

10.41.42pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 16th May 2007

David Cameron has amazed political commentators and voters alike by declaring that the Conservative party is to drop its support for selective education and the 11plus. Cameron was bizarrely quoted as saying that children shouldn't be "divided into sheep and goats at the age of 11".

However, this departure from a decades old Conservative policy has upset members of his own party. Roger Gale, Tory MP for North Thanet, responded to the announcement angrily by saying "I am extremely unhappy and I think he is profoundly wrong in the conclusions he has reached".

Liberal Democrat Shadow Education Secretary, Sarah Teather MP said "with the Tories ditching yet another policy, it has left them a party desperately searching for some substance on education. When are they going to start telling voters what they do stand for?"

Dr Alan Bullion, chair of Tunbridge Wells Liberal Democrats said "this is just another example of David Cameron deserting traditional Tory supporters in his scrabble to become 'Blair lite'".