It seems that Tory Leader, David Cameron, has upset traditional Conservatives by dropping the long standing policy that favours Grammar schools. I take my hat off to him and wish him well in his efforts to reform the party.

Nearly 40 years ago I had the opportunity of taking an 11 plus examination which would have given me the chance of attending the Grammar school in Totton, instead of the Secondary school. I was of the view then that it was fundamentally wrong to divide children of that age into successes and failures. I refused to sit the examination then and still think I was right to do so now.

The correct way forward is to improve the educational opportunities for all children. Each and every child develops at different rates and true potential can only be discovered by nurturing talent and ability in ways suited to each child, not by some artificial test, aged 11.

Cllr. David Harrison, Liberal Democrat.