Morning Extra - 08/09/2009

Should parents be forced to send their kids to their local school? asks Graham Stewart. The Scottish Conservatives want to give parents control over their child's personal education budget from the state. Under the proposals a school's income would depend on its ability to attract pupils and this, say the Tories, would drive up standards. The party is organising a conference on education in Edinburgh today, where delegates will also launch a petition calling for parents to have more choice over where their children are educated. It follows a legal test case brought by parents who appealed after their placing requests were turned down in South Lanarkshire. Have you battled with your local council over the right to choose? And does choice drive up standards, or lead to the development of ghetto schools? Graham Stewart takes your calls, texts and emails.