TONY THE TORY FILES:

Blair's 5-year plan for schools sparks revolt in Cabinet (Patrick Hennessy, 04/07/2004, Daily Telegraph)

Tony Blair has been forced to override a Cabinet revolt over his flagship five-year plan for education which will be unveiled by the Government this week.

The Prime Minister had to overrule objections from senior ministers and force through the plans, which will give more freedom to better-performing secondary schools.

A proposal floated by Downing Street to re-name state schools that are allowed to set their own admissions policies as "independent schools" was said to have drawn particular ire because of the term's association with the private sector.

The Telegraph understands that Mr Blair's five-year plan, which will be officially announced by Charles Clarke, the Education Secretary, will make it simpler for popular schools to expand while private companies, churches and parents' groups will find it easier to open and run new schools.