Sir.-I am writing to thank the businesses, community groups, headteachers and other people who attended the "Partnership for Success in Learning and Skills" conference.

More than 150 people were at the event, and the commitment to raising aspiration and tackling issues in education in Basingstoke was wonderful to see.

There was a collective drive to ensure that business, education and the community push forward a positive action plan to make a real difference to the aspirations of our young people in our town and borough.

The focus on recruitment and retention issues, essential skills, breaking through barriers and self-esteem, developing a graduate community, and pushing access to learning opportunities was supported by the conference.

This gives us an opportunity to develop a real partnership, to break through the many mixed messages that come from business and education.

The straightforward message was that we want people to live their aspirations, to get the qualifications that will make a difference, and open up opportunities in learning and skills to everyone; that we break down barriers and empower people to fulfil their ambitions.

Basingstoke has to want Basingstoke to be the best, and the commitment of people at this landmark conference to learning and skills was a powerful statement.

So much has been achieved already - specialist schools drawing down £5million from the Labour Government, our two "excellent" colleges, 900 of the 1,000 work-based learning places in Hampshire at BCOT.

I'm proud to live and work in Basingstoke, alongside so many people intent on improving education opportunities for all.

-Cllr Paul Harvey, Labour prospective parliamentary candidate, Ruskin Close, Basingstoke.