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<p><p>"People don't want choice, what they want is a good local school." These sentiments have been echoed by many of those critical of the Government's agenda of parental choice and school competition. In response, the Government may contend that parental choice and school competition are a means to achieve the end of everyone having a good local school. In the words of American economist Caroline Hoxby, "school choice is a tide that lifts all boats." </p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p>This article will analyse to what extent this claim is true. Choice and competition in markets can be thought of as two sides of the same coin: firms only compete for business when consumers are able to choose where to buy from, and schools only compete for pupils when there is more than one school they could go to.</p></p>