The TES pre-election debate

“Contrary to headlines in the popular press, teachers and schools have never been better.” It’s your chance to join the debate on this motion, watch our live webcast and have your say on Twitter

Join the Rt Hon Ed Balls MP, David Laws MP and Michael Gove MP in this open discussion at 7pm, March 15, 2010. The motion under discussion is: “Contrary to headlines in the popular press, teachers and schools have never been better.”

You can view the debate as it happens here and you can also make your voice heard by posting your thoughts via Twitter (@timesed #voteschools)

Keep up-to-date with TES’s 2010 election coverage, including webchats, editorial and opinion insights, as well as the latest community discussions at our election homepage: www.tes.co.uk/election2010. Make your voice heard in 2010!

The debate will also be available to view on demand on this page from March 16, 2010 at 6pm.

The Education Election 2010 – the story so far

PM treads on Tory toes to unveil Labour version of parent power
In direct challenge to the Opposition, Brown hands over right to initiate school leadership change

Cameron waves the workers' flag
Teachers to run schools, appoint governors and heads and share any surplus cash? It all sounds like a throwback to the socialist 1970s, but these are actually the Conservatives’ new education plans.

Lib Dems slam Tories' curriculum reform plans
Party lashes out at 'confused' policies on core subjects and academies

Tories would allow teachers to tell heads, "You're fired"
David Cameron’s co-operative worker plan hands ‘dramatic new powers’ to public sector staff

Gove accuses Balls of spending 'evasion'
The Conservatives have accused Schools Secretary Ed Balls of keeping them in the dark over his department’s spending plans.

Good news for Gordon: teachers back Labour
Labour remains the most popular party among the teaching community, an Ipsos MORI poll of teachers has revealed. A survey of 1,000 teachers showed that 25 per cent who expressed a preference would vote for the party if there was a general election tomorrow.