We are rather astonished that the Liberal Democrats are coming out against these proposals when their Councillors voted for them at the November Full Council and when the school closures would have happened under the last Lib Dem Council had they not been thrown out for proposing them. There is absolutely no evidence that changing the structures here will in any way improve standards – all that will happen is that the education of Island children will be pointlessly and severely disrupted for years to come.
Island Labour will be campaigning against these changes, campaigning in favour of raising standards and voting against these destructive, and frankly barmy, proposals and we urge Liberal Democrat Councillors and Conservative Councillors to find a backbone at last and join us in opposing them.
Cllrs Deborah Gardiner & Geoff Lumley
3 comments:
The Liberals are simply playing politics Geoff, as are you.
In fairness Labour should explain what they would do to solve the falling numbers problem, and explain how Labour at Westminster are opposing these local closures? In truth local Tories must be acting on the wishes of the Labour government who control the purse strings, please enlighten me if I'm wrong.
The Tory group is very split. Councillor Patrick Joyce is doing the IW Radio Alex Dyke call in on Friday next, should be good.
I look forward to hearing your views on the programme this Friday Geoff.
Annonymous 1. You are WRONG !
Surplus places (16%, I think) in our schools doesn't justify the closure of at least 27 schools (40% of them). Surpluses can be managed, especially as annual school rolls are often volatile. £2m isn't much to spend in subsidy each year when you think of the money WASTED on things like the Undercliff enquiry. Government will be pressed by the Labour Group only to approve a reorganisation that is sane and has community support.
Politics is certainly involved, but then 42 IW Councillors of the 48 were elected on a political ticket, contrary to the Tories and Liberals subsequent pleas that they are non-political.
Post a Comment