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How much opportunity has Tony to enjoy a peaceful rest with his children? As a parent of a nine year old, I would ignore this act and do not think a political capital should be made of it. A few days away from school would not harm the education of any child nor should other parents use the PM's action as an excuse to take their child/children on extended or additional holidays during term time which is what parents who have given course to the education department and teachers' interest in the subject do. .
Edward Allie, UK

Hypocrisy is the major fault I detest in politicians. Thankfully Its not half as bad as it was under the TORIES (where are they now?), but telling off parents for taking their children on holidays when they should be at school and then the PM (bless him!) does it, surely takes the biscuit! Don't do as I do! Do as I say!! Sorry Tony, that's another blunder for New Labour, after the Peter Mandelson saga.
Andrew Lye, England

Its only a couple of days - not the week/two weeks to which Blunkett was referring - they are not at a particularly critical point in their education.
Cara Stuart-Nichol, England

I can't believe how precious people are being about Tony Blair's kids missing a couple of days of school. What are they afraid of? A few days here or there makes no difference whatever. The parents that should be getting the flak are the ones that allow their children to persistently play truant. Judging by what I've seen of the products of the British state education system over the past few years, you'd probably learn more by reading the newspaper than you would in two days of school.
David Gillies, UK

If he wants the country to follow him and respect him then he should practice what he preaches.
Sarah, UK

Sadly qualifications seem to have become the "be all and end all" of a child's worth. What ever happened to building character by expanding their horizons. School is not the only place where children learn and there's more to life than academic study.
Geoff Halsey, UK

I'm 13 and I think that Tony Blair is completely preposterous at thinking that people of my age shouldn't have any holidays during term-time. It is a well-known fact that teenagers get very pressured to do well at school as it is. And what does he do he takes his own kids out of school, the Labour party is in a big mess already. And teenagers nowadays can't do anything to alter the way our country is run. We are the next generation, I think Mr Blair should remeber that.
Emilie Whitaker, England

Politicians should not restrict a family's private matters. After all it will not make parents any more responsible. Politicians are not elected to be perfect family models for the rest of the society and the Blairs should be no different. Families have different needs and desires which should be respected. After all life needs more flexibility and with a little planning and preparation, we can have responsible vacation plans, etc. in the middle of the school year as we as a family see fit without having a big brother dictating basic family functions like this one.
Nezam, USA and Iran

As a school teacher myself (albeit outside the U.K.), I have grown tolerant of parents who request that their children be given leave of absence outside normal holiday periods. In many ways, parents see far too little of their children these days, and teachers who complain about being handed the job of bringing up other people's kids, as well as teaching them, should welcome any initiative taken by parents to spend more time with their children.
On the other hand, this should be a discretionary waiving of normal rules, and schools must retain the right of "veto", if absence at a particular stage in the curriculum will impede the child's progress. I am especially unimpressed by parents who do not request leave for their child, but who merely inform schools of an impending absence. This shows both disrespect for the school, and disregard for their child's future welfare.
A. Smith, Denmark

Tony Blair's private holiday plans with his family are his business. If he feels that his children are capable of keeping up to date with their education, then that is up to them. Secondly, the Prime Minister is subject to unusual schedules and situations, and we well know that Mr Blair has had many decisions and difficulties recently, and as such he can probably only find the time for holidays at this sort of time of year.
Paul Charters, UK

David Blunkett is no doubt referring to those parents who flagrantly disregard term times, not those parents (such as Tony and Cherie Blair) who are generally conscientious about their children's attendance at school. Give the Blairs a break!
L Robinson, South Africa

On the contrary, exposing his children to the greater world (i.e., the Seychelles) is at least as enriching and educational as sitting in the classroom for one or two sessions. The lessons missed in class can be made up; the lessons learned through travel can not.
Malcolm Versel, USA

I think Mr Blair is setting a poor example to all the parents of this country. I have problems with my ex-wife keeping my children from school for little valid reason. I would hope and expect the government to set a good example rather than provide such a poor one.
Gordon Stewart, Scotland

It's another example a politician doing the opposite of what they represent. It is also sad that the Prime Minister chooses to go on an exotic foreign holiday when there are so many people in England that are homeless and relying on charity handouts. It really is a New Labour.
Katie Dawson, US

Hypocrisy seems to be the main stay of all politicians. Where have all of the real leaders gone??
Charlie Dixon, USA

The controversy concerning Blair's children missing school, is a set up by Labour's spin doctors to persuade the public of the need to increase the length of the school year. The teaching unions have fallen for it hook, line and sinker.
Newspapers will be deluged with letters from irate parents, complaining of the requirement for them to take holidays at the school's convenience, whilst "pampered" teachers enjoy the luxury of several months "free" each year.
The unions should react by determining the average working week of a teacher, and demanding that those hours worked in excess of 35 be paid at an overtime rate, to bring their pay and conditions in line with doctors and nurses.
Stephen Usherwood, England

Mr Blair's workload probably means that he does not have a lot of time to spend with his children, who are also under pressure from constant media attention (this survey is just one example). I think an opportunity for this particular family (and it is obviously an exception) to spend some time together away from the public eye and from government or scholastic responsibilities should be taken in any case.
Johanna Cappella, Italy

Of course he's setting a bad example! Goodness, maybe he should talk to his ministers more now all the spinners are on their way out!
Mel Huang, Estonia

He works incredibly long hours and spends much of his time flying all over the world. If he wants to spend a bit of extra time with his kids, that's his own business.
Neil Halliday, England

It's very important that no-one thinks he is too grand to follow the rules that the rest of us must. A minister who begins by not sending his children to school on the right day will continue by insisting that he is too busy to send in his tax return on time, and then by declining to turn up as a witness in a court case because he has an international conference to go to. The Prime Minister has the same responsibilities as the rest of us. And it really was very foolish of Mr Blair to be seen to break a rule only a few days after one of his senior ministers had said how important it was that the rule should be kept.
James Dennis, UK

With the pressures of work nowadays and with many families having both parents in work, arranging time off with employers can be very difficult and compromises may need to be made. If a child is a reasonable attender I do not think a day missed at the end of term makes any difference. If I remember my schooldays not a lot was learnt on the last day of any term.
Paul Goerick, Australia

Tony Blair is not wrong. What is wrong is the Labour Gov't sliding towards the 'nanny' state. As parents we welcome advice but do not want to be dictated to. David Blunkett's proposals to curb this are laughable. Perhaps they should use the public outcry on this as an example of what people want from government and it's not dictatorship !!!
PJ Hamilton, UK

Seems a case of right-hand not knowing what the left-hand is doing.
Joyce Allen, England

One or two days out of school is not going to have any significant effect. I dislike David Blunkett's over prescriptive attitude to school which I think will inhibit any creativity in children.
Alan Gardiner, UK

As an ex teacher and somebody that had to deal with troublesome parents I think Tony Blair's example is appalling and is supporting the notion of trouble parents that teachers are "stupid" and don't need to be listened to and that education is a complete waste of time.
Mark B, UK

Quality family time and the memories it leaves are just as important as academic time.
Ralph, Canada

Why not help parents by staggering holiday dates in the UK. This way we would not all need to compete for limited availability and loaded prices. This would also reduce the need for taking term time holidays for many people.
Gary Starling, UK

I am astounded at Tony Blair's actions. Even if he were not the Prime Minister, it is the sign of a bad parent. However he is supposed to be showing an example to everyone PLUS one of his government's policies is to crack down on such antics. The arrogance of this is unbelievable. He has shown he is as arrogant as any government before in believing that the normal rules of society do not apply to him.
Richard, UK

Sometimes it cannot be helped. Many parents do it and it's only one or two days. Would be bad if it was 2 weeks. Leave the man alone he's doing a good job. Best premier we've had in a long time.
Marcelle Holder, England

Lets leave this family alone one day is not going to harm the children. Let's be honest they are not a typical family in that there father is leader of the country and any time they spend with him must be precious to them all.
C Hillock, Northern Ireland

Tony Blair cannot be seen to ignore the policy drives of his government. It may only be a few days, but I understood New Labour wanted to be whiter than white. New Labour, same old hypocrisy. I hope that the schools and authorities respond to the Blairs as the govenment wants them to respond to others doing the same thing.
Rob Larkin, UK

Like everything else this government does it is a case of don't do as I do, just do as I say!
Rupert Ladds, UK

You're damn right he is! I was never allowed time off school for holidays. How can he expect to be taken seriously when he blathers on about the importance of education (yes - education, education, education) when he is prepared to deny his own kids their education. The guy just gets worse.
Paul Midian, England

The real problem is not Tony Blair. It is the way holiday companies are allowed to offer such cheap holidays - including free child places - during term time. Isn't this incitement to break the law? There are now so many children on holiday during September, June and July that it is virtually impossible to run a normal curriculum during these months.
Tony Toubkin, England

My son went to Stoneyhurst. I wanted my son to come to us here once on a daytime flight which meant he would miss a day's school. I wrote to the Headmaster, since he had explained the importance of the discipline of children attending every class even on the last day of term.
He wrote back saying in no circumstances would he allow it and he would appreciate it if I never asked again!! I never did. Discipline is such an important trait to instill into our children and our example to them sometimes has to be tough. Tony Blair should have received the same message.
John Kelynack Skinner, Bahrain

The Blairs are not setting a bad example per-se. However if the government is going to preach on private family matters such as when you should and should not take your children out of school, it would give them more credibility if at least the members of the cabinet could practice what is being preached.
Duncan Rogerson, UK

He may be setting a bad example, but the whole proposal is stupid and unworkable. Are Labour really trying to become like a puritan nanny? Some parents cannot afford to take their children on holiday during the high season. A couple of days off is an acceptable alternative. Are they going to stop kids being sick next?
Labour start managing the country and stop managing the people!
Chris, NL

Of course he isn't setting a bad example. He is the PM and therefore his schedule is less flexible than that of mere mortals. It cannot be much fun having your every perk turned into a riot by the media.
Tom, Australia

He should change his spin doctor with regard to timing of his children's holiday, or has it already happened?
Aydin Yavas, UK

It is typical of the arrogance of Tony Blair that he takes his children away from school while his government calls, quite rightly, for parents not to take children on holiday during term time. It is interesting to watch the UK government fall into disarray in recent weeks over a series of scandals. It seems that Labour has been exposed as full of rhetoric, but lacking in substance.
Neil Sullivan, USA

This is a further example of the hypocrisy and insincerity of this Government. Blair and his New Labour Acolytes are the pigs in a modern day Orwellian soap opera.
Richard Hateley, UK

Tony Blair isn't setting a bad example, how ridiculous to claim or say he is. I'm sure he is going for longer that just 3 days, yet his kids will only be out of school it seems for about 2 days, big WOW!! It really isn't a big deal, so they will have an extra day of homework.
Lgray, USA

He's probably got the worst job in the country, is underpaid for his responsibilities, and his extended hours certainly prevent him from quality time with his kids. Even now when he's on holiday he's making comments on the Euro launch, and other activities. Best of luck to him and his kids on the precious time they actually get to spend together.
Paul Rushworth, UK

There are two very good reasons for taking children out of school.
1) Cost - Off peak bargains they are not. It is rip off by the holiday companies doubling the price of peak time travel because they know you can't or are unwilling to take your children out of school.
2) Kids can learn the same if not more on holiday. Learning is about lots of experience, not just books and schooling.
Paul Rose, England

Tony Blair has displayed an extraordinary lack of political astuteness over this issue. Coming as it does on the heels of the similarly surprising lack of forward thinking shown by Peter Mandelson in his financial affairs, and the open fighting between the Blair and Brown camps, I can only hope that Labour make an effort to put their house in order before the Conservatives are in a strong enough position to cause them lasting electoral damage over issues such as these.
Jason Handby, UK

As a teacher I do not have the option of taking holidays at off-peak times!
Iain Peden, Britain

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