Teachers aren't usually seen as the trendiest bunch - but today they turned on to e-politics with a vengence. With a bit of help from the old "dead trees" media as well.
In its efforts to drum up opposition to Tony Blair's education bill which this week reaches a crucial stage in the Commons, the National Union of Teachers has appealed to members to lobby MPs online.
Tomorrow and Wednesday MPs will be debating the third reading of the bill which allows schools to become trusts in partnership with companies or voluntary groups. The bill achieved its second reading only with the votes of Tory members in the Commons and ministers have made no substantive concessions at committee stage.
So today an advertisement in the Guardian appealed to teachers and parents to email their MPs via the teachers.org.uk website with their views on school admissions.
By mid morning 5,000 people had done so and the union said traffic continued to be busy.
The NUT's views on school admissions are clear on the site and the advert - no selection by ability or aptitude and a duty on local authorities to secure fair access for all pupils in their areas rather than leaving it up to schools themselves.
"Go online! Tell you MP what you think," appeals the union. By Wednesday we should see what effect this has had on MPs.
