Politicians are the biggest problem facing teachers, the leader of the NASUWT has said in an angry attack on past and present governments.

Bowing out with his final speech at the union's conference in Scarborough, Nigel de Gruchy described MPs as "ambitious, self-seeking, self-opinionated rogues."

The general secretary also praised previous industrial action by teachers which, he claimed had led to a review on workload and the Dearing report.

"Politicians create the problem, then they blame schools, then they demand that teachers solve the problem. Then they wonder why cynicism is rife," he said.

De Gruchy has been general secretary of the union for 33 years, and hopes to succeed John Monks as president of the Trade Unions Congress.

Prime minister Tony Blair needs to "restore democracy", he said, "then perhaps citizenship might just be worthwhile teaching in schools".

However, the department of education and skills dismissed his criticisms.

"I think we are all used to intemperate remarks at the Easter conferences. The government's record on education speaks for itself, with £540 extra per pupil and 12,000 more teachers than in 1997," said a spokesman.

"The key point is that these conferences, with their repeated threats of industrial action, do damage to the image and reputation of teachers."