Anthony Millard is a former head teachers, Chaired of the Boarding Schools Association before standing for Parliament. In 2001 he was appointed Managing Director of Nord Anglia’s Schools Division and then set up Anthony Millard Consulting, which combines, head-hunting with strategic consultancy to schools.

So, which David will you be celebrating or commiserating over next Tuesday 6th December? Does Cameron’s compassionate conservatism promise most for schools and families? Or does Davis’s harder talking on vouchers hint at a sharper edge to come? Does it matter? Well, it will if either enters No.10 in 2009 and while not yet a racing certainty a Conservative revival looks more likely than at any time since Tony Blair’s election as Labour leader back in 1994.

What is even more remarkable is the unofficial consensus on education growing between David Cameron and another David, this time David Milliband – Eton versus a not-such bog-standard-comp. Both are the rising stars in their parties. Sorry Gordon, but it is not inconceivable that both these Davids will be leading their parties into battle in the next election.

Now here’s the rub, and remember where you heard it first! Whether it is the OFT’s impending swishing of the independent sector’s backside or the clinical removal of charitable status from those schools unable to expunge their taint of privilege Cameron will not shed a tear or lift his little finger. New compassionate conservatism does not see any votes in defending the traditional independent sector. Having turned their back on the Conservatives in 1997 the public schools are now having backs turned on them.

But the other side of this political compact will be the creation of real markets for parental choice of which Tony Blair can only dream. Whether it is Cameron or Milliband we are going to see a plethora of truly independent schools; some run by consortia of state schools, some by charitable or faith ‘not for profit’ groups, and an explosion of activity by the private sector who see this opportunity as akin to that presented by the collapse of another soviet empire two decades ago. Frankly, I cannot wait.

www.anthonymillard.co.uk