David Laws has called for the development of an independent Education Standards Authority to bring to an end the "corrosive impact" of policies devised by politicians.

Speaking to the BBC, the schools minister attacked the status quo, arguing that for too long now, self-interested MPs have had a largely negative impact on the education system.

The new independent body will go a long way in restoring confidence in the National Curriculum among parents and teachers, Mr Laws explained, adding that this new entity would also be responsible for setting and measuring standards.

Reducing what he described as "political interference" would put an end to "the whims of here-today, gone-tomorrow politicians", whose effects on education are inconsistent and damaging.

The responsibility for deciding on policy would go to subject experts, whose knowledge, experience and skills offer more authority than MPs, most of whom lack real-world experience of teaching.

"Subject experts could have a greater perspective over a long period of time, rather than having things chopped and changed around," Mr Laws told the broadcaster.

He added: "We'll have a better education system if the degree of political volatility is reduced and policy-making is based more on evidence and less on what suits the politicians in control."

Commentators have interpreted the school minister's comments as being a thinly-veiled attack on former education secretary Michael Gove, who was seen as being overly didactic during his tenure.

In turn, critics have derided Mr Laws, arguing that he has been just as complicit in pushing through negative policies.

Tristram Hunt, shadow secretary of state for education, said: "Nick Clegg's party signed off on the failing free schools programme, on allowing unqualified teachers into the classroom on a permanent basis and on all of Michael Gove's interference in our schools.

"The Liberal Democrats are entirely complicit in delivering this government's damaging schools policy. Nick Clegg's party's record shows that the Liberal Democrats cannot be trusted with raising standards in our schools."