Tories support Blair, naturally

independent: Tories embarrass Blair by backing his school reforms

Three Conservative MPs will try to embarrass Tony Blair today by backing his radical reforms to schools in a minority report to the Labour-dominated Commons Select Committee on Education.

Mr Blair, who will defend his plans at his monthly press conference in Downing Street today, knows his authority will be destroyed if he has to rely on Conservative support to get the reforms through the Commons.

Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, signalled a partial retreat yesterday by saying ministers wanted to open "a dialogue" with their critics.

Tories on the committee will urge Mr Blair not to surrender. They support freedom from town hall interference for the independent trust schools and expansion of popular schools, as Mr Blair has proposed. Mr Blair's allies believe this is a crucial argument that he must win. Read more