There are extremes and extremists

As much as I deplore many of the Tories parties' local policy and believe their policies extreme to the extent of the effect they will have on the local community, I do not believe they are extremists, as I may have invertantly implied in this blog.

However the fight goes on .....................

Education debate is raging as the decision is called in by scrutiny and the usual struggle to find cllrs to attend the same meeting, it will be some days before a date can be found when all cllrs can be in the same room.

In my view.......

The decision by the Conservative Councillors to reject the bid to run the city’s new schools backed by Head teachers, Parents, the PCT, both Universities, ABP and other local businesses, and allow Oasis to run the city’s state funded schools outside of any influence of the Local Education Authority, is a prime example of Tory political dogma (private good public bad) overriding common sense.

The Labour group are not opposed to diversity in education but are opposed to education that has no local accountability. The one reason the authority opted to take the choice itself is to ensure that local interests were considered and elected representatives had a say.

However now the cabinet, who did not listen to fellow councillors or education professionals, have made a decision that will create a two tier system in Southampton and I fear will result in the break up of any cohesion in the education system in the city. I understand how the bidder with the best sales pitch might persuade some people but there are times when as local politician you have to listen to those who use the services the council provides.

The cabinet have plumped for a bidder that only a small minority wanted. I fear this decision for academies run by independent organisations is only the first step for this Conservative administration.

The Tories are embarking on a cost cutting exercise in order to produce their aim of a zero rated council tax but at the loss of services that will impair this council’s ability to shape and lead this city. The idea of helping the disadvantaged, (and believe me Southampton is still a deprived city by national statistics), investing in society or shaping change for a better society for all, is not in their remit.

This decision needs re-examining; the cabinet member must justify his and his cabinets’ decision. I believe he must show to all the reasoning for the decision and to allow council and those who vote for council, to judge. I want to see if the decision is based on the criteria set out by government, the advice of professionals and what is best for the city’s future. Because if it is not there can only be one conclusion!

Remember very few of the city’s Tory councillors have been through the state system or send their children to state schools and now appear not prepared to listen to the parents, teachers and local business about how they want to educate their children and future employees.

It is for that reason that I have with my scrutiny colleagues, decided to “call in” the decision to allow for further scrutiny.