Blair booed by pupils on school visit

Tony Blair today admitted that London parents still do not have access to good enough schools.

The Prime Minister confirmed there was "a lot to do" to get the capital's education system up to scratch.

To his embarrassment, he was booed by some pupils as he toured the Lilian Baylis technology school, Lambeth, after making the remarks.

"There are big changes coming about," he said, citing investment in school buildings and new secondaries. "We want more. But there is improvement happening."

There was more controversy when headteacher Gary Phillips called for Labour to win the election. Despite admitting his job forbade him to be partisan, he said the school was improving because of government policies. He added: "Just as we have more to do at Lilian Baylis, so this Government has more to do, and I personally hope they are elected to do it."

Mr Blair opened a new building at the school in a bid to put education at the top of the election agenda. Challenged by the Standard about the plight of parents in London who face high truancy rates, more mixed standards and less choice than those in other regions, Mr Blair admitted: "I do not for a moment say we do not still have a lot to do in London.

"But I would argue very strongly indeed that school results are improving in London." Mr Blair chose Lilian Baylis for the launch partly to embarrass shadow chancellor Oliver Letwin, who once said he would rather "beg in the streets" than send his children there.

Mr Blair was challenged about his refusal to send his sons to local secondary schools in Islington and asked if he would pick Lilian Baylis for any of his children.

Mr Blair admitted it would have been "very difficult" before the improvements but insisted he would have no qualms now.