IT IS a sad indictment of our times that more and more parents in Swindon have lost confidence in our education system and have chosen to go private.

All parents want the best for their children, but here in Swindon we are not able to give anything like the best and children are suffering as a result.

The fact that parents are now prepared to pay for extra tuition is a disgrace.

We don't blame these private tuition agencies for making the most of the situation in fact, they are a blessing because without them standards of education among children would fall even further.

Tony Blair said when he came to power that the three things most important to him were education, education and education.

These words have a hollow ring to them as far as Swindon is concerned.

We agree with Mr Blair in there is nothing more important than the education of our children who will, after all, run the country in the years to come.

If they haven't had the best education possible, what future is there for us all?