LIBERAL Democrat activists from Hampshire have helped deal an embarrassing blow to the party leadership over the Government's plans for academies and “free’’ schools.

Party members, gathered in Liverpool for their autumn conference, backed a highly-critical attack on Tory education Secretary Michael Gove’s scheme to help parents set up a network of independent state schools.

A motion, which was passed overwhelmingly in a vote, called for a boycott of free schools, asking Lib Dems “to urge people not to take up this option’’. The motion was also critical of academy schools, which it said had “placed themselves outside the democratic system for the funding of education’’.

Jackie Porter, Lib Dem councillor for Itchen Valley on Hampshire County Council, told the conference she was speaking on behalf of 500 Winchester members, and warned the academies’ expansion was giving the “green light to local authorities not to provide a place for every child’’. There was also “hidden costs’’ – including special needs education, training and child protection – that meant the programme would unnecessarily “duplicate services’’, yet no evidence that standards would improve.

Cllr Porter said: “At this particular fiscal time, that's not a very good idea. The academies themselves are not allowed to make a profit, but the businesses that serve them can do - and will do.’’ Although the activists’ vote does not change Government policy, Lib Dem deputy leader Simon Hughes insisted the party “can stop things happening’’.