Say goodbye to the 11+

The Education Bill remains the biggest weakness for  Blair.  Given the choice between 'Ramsay Macdonald' or further concessions, the bill may end up doing more damage in the name of 'reform' than leaving the status quo in place. The rebellion was coordinated by Fiona Millar, Cherie's adviser and teh Compass Group.

Second, the government underestimated the ability of the Labour centre left to organise on this issue. The campaign led by Cherie Blair's former adviser Fiona Millar and the anti-Blairite group Compass has surprised many with its professionalism.

Millar, in today's Guardian, outlined their demands, including further concessions, now that they view the government as a lame duck.

The prime minister says he wants his new education legislation to be a "Labour bill". Judging by the mood of the rebel MPs, that will be a hard task, but one powerful concession is staring him in the face - outright abolition of the 11-plus. Ruth Kelly claims she abhors it and Tony Blair last month described it as an "old fashioned idea" that divided children into "successes and failures".

Say goodbye to the 11+!