It is incomprehensible that the Liberal Democrats are now accepting the partial dismantling of state education, as outlined by Michael Gove. This is taking the “free market” to ludicrous heights.

York has always been proud of its schools and does not need the injection of new providers (whoever they may be).

It does not need to aspire to Academy status, to design its own curriculum, to decide the pay and working conditions of its teachers, and it certainly does not need the creation of free schools, paid for by the tax payer.

We live in a collective, inclusive society where ideally institutions such as education are designed to meet the needs of everybody.

Local authority control of education ensures fairness and stability in the system, promotes national standards and gives us a degree of accountability York’s Lib Dems have a crucial decision to make. Do they, like their leaders, accept the Tory policies of a “free for all” education system, or will they stay with tried and trusted ways of delivering education to our city?

Trudie Elliott, Hopgrove Lane North, York.