Tories claim decision was 'long overdue'

The Conservatives declared Estelle Morris's resignation overdue last night, but Labour MPs were in shock after the "bombshell" news.

Privately even political opponents believe that Ms Morris, a former parliamentarian of the year, "wiped the floor" with the opposition parties during last week's debate on the A-level fiasco.

But many believed the accumulation of problems for the increasingly troubled Education Department over the summer forced her hand.

David Chaytor, Labour MP for Bury North and a member of the Commons Education Select Committee, said: "I think it's quite unnecessary. It's a real bombshell. She has had a few difficulties to deal with, but I don't think any of them has been down to her. Perhaps in retrospect it was not a good idea for her or David Blunkett to say they would resign if the targets were not met."

Valerie Davey, another Labour member of the education committee, said: "Nothing that happened over the summer warrants this. She is somebody of passion and principle who we need in a Labour government."

Damian Green, the shadow Education Secretary, said the resignation was"welcome, but overdue". He added: "In a few short months the Government has undermined the credibility of A-levels, the gold standard of secondary education. And this summer Labour turned university admissions into a lottery for thousands of families."

Phil Willis, the Liberal Democrat Education spokes-man and a former headmaster, said: "I'm genuinely disappointed that a secretary of state who had a real feel for schools and the education service should have been pushed out of her post by a Government policy of target-setting."

Cabinet resignations under Labour

Ron Davies, Welsh Secretary

October 1998

Following "moment of madness" on Clapham Common.

Peter Mandelson, Trade and Industry Secretary

December 1998

Over a £373,000 home loan from colleague Geoffrey Robinson.

Peter Mandelson, Northern Ireland Secretary

January 2001

For backing passport application by one of the Hinduja brothers, Srichand.

Stephen Byers, Transport Secretary

May 2002

After his spin doctor advised that bad news be leaked on 11 September.

Estelle Morris, Education Secretary

October 2002

Over her management and media difficulties