BRITAIN'S biggest teachers' union threatened a national strike over Tony Blair's controversial school reforms.

The National Union of Teachers promised to step up its fight against the Education Bill, which sets out moves to give business and faith groups a bigger role running schools.

Delegates at the NUT's annual conference in Torquay voted overwhelmingly in favour of a motion which raised the prospect of a industrial action.

After a debate in which angry members accused the Government of undermining comprehensive education, delegates demanded a national publicity campaign to persuade parents to oppose the reforms.

Motion

They passed a motion which called on the union's leadership to "explore the circumstances under which national industrial action, up to and including national strike action, could be taken to highlight the strength of opposition to the Education Bill".

The NUT should campaign "for support for such action among members", the motion said.

Martin Reed, from the NUT's national executive, said Education Secretary Ruth Kelly had misjudged the opposition to the reforms.

He said: "Many in Government thought we would not fight. Big mistake Mrs Kelly, we will."

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