Author: Standards-Not-Tiers
No mandate! It’s Official. School Reorganisation Plans are Un-Democratic.
Tuesday, 1st July, 2008 at 9:23 pm, Isle of Wight
Official Press Release from Standards Not Tiers
Standards Not Tiers have welcomed a statement made by David Pugh on behalf of the Isle of Wight Conservative Association that effectively shelves the current formal consultation embarked on by the Council last month.
Chairman of Standards-Not-Tiers Chris Welsford said
“whilst we are pleased that Mr Pugh accepts that we need to put this to the people, nobody should forget how much time, money and more importantly goodwill of teachers and parents has been squandered since he took office in September 2007. Having wasted all the good work done by officers and the Children’s Commission during the three years following the 2005 election, he is now being forced to climb down.
Would the Conservatives have made this decision had it not been for the pressure that we and others exerted in respect of their broken election promise? We also need to keep in mind the effect on all of us, parents, teachers, ancillary staff and children, of the radical proposals that were made in January and the subsequent farce of a consultation that followed.
They are only doing this now because they are under pressure to win the next election. What David Pugh and Alan Wells have demonstrated is how powerful politicians are and how easily their poorly thought out plans can make a misery of the lives of ordinary people”.
Standards-Not-Tiers made a pledge in January that it would field candidates at the next council elections in 2009. Following a meeting of potential candidates in May, it was decided that supporters of the group would stand as independent candidates.
At that meeting it was established that there were sufficient potential candidates to take a majority at the next election and that whilst Education would be the central plank of their combined thinking, democracy and fairness would be the group’s main theme, as a contrast to the selfish and dictatorial stance adopted by the current Tory Group.
Debbie Hart, a member of the SNT Executive said:
“This is all about Democracy. We would like to hear from others who are unhappy with this administration and who would like to see a non-party political approach to local government on the Island. We would like to encourage people who would be prepared to step forward as independent councillors and promote the virtues of conscience and principle in local government.”
Email This Story To A Friend
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:07 am
Sadly this political strategy will come up against two issues, apathy and a splintered opposition, to potentially hand the Tories power once again next year.
By effectively putting on hold education reforms the Tories are taking the steam out of the issue and will allow normal local politics to resume. Voters will become apathetic once again to the subject and will accept that what is being proposed is inevitable.
More importantly the opposition to the education reforms is too splintered, the Tories will be facing candidates from both Lib Dems and Labour plus SNT and the Dissent Tories (Swan, etc) not forgetting a host of local independents. My prediction is that unless the main opposition groups get together to field a joint list then the Tories will win on a reduced majority.
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:38 am
unfortunately, I beleive you are correct. But I would not underestimate the damage this council has caused with this and other ‘projects (bodgejobs) and with the help of those with longer memories (i.e.us) we must ensure that not only they are removed, that the opposition fights OUR battle as well
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:49 pm
My understanding is that the ‘consultation’ has so far cost in the region of 3m of your council tax pounds. It’ll look nice on the shelf next to the plans for Undercliff Drive.
July 2nd, 2008 at 6:20 pm
£3m - that’s got to be a joke of course ?
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:06 pm
“taking the steam out of the issue”
Then it’s up to us to ensure they don’t! I agree with the general thrust of Earl Grey’s argument, and it certainly wouldn’t do to be complacent, but I like to think that Pugh and Co. have burned their boats this time. We won’t (or shouldn’t) get fooled again.
July 2nd, 2008 at 9:29 pm
James P “We won’t (or shouldn’t) get fooled again.”
Unfortunately most people believe most of the rubbish they are told. It’s called trust.
I well remember being very cynical, given some claptrap by the new Head of Planning at a VTC Meeting last year about how “enforcement is my number one priority”.
So much so that 7 months later, an Interim Enforcement Leader, has just been appointed to work …………………………………….
3 days a week!
Steady now! Don’t overdo it! Wouldn’t want the job taken too seriously.
July 2nd, 2008 at 9:44 pm
I do know what you mean, Bertie, hence my mention of complacency. I would also guess that many of those without children or contact with schools are blissfully unaware of the deceit and broken promises employed so far.
I’ve even had long and earnest exchanges with my local (Conservative) councillor, who seems unwilling or unable to accept that their leader is capable of such behaviour! I think you’ve got one like that in Ventnor, too, haven’t you?
July 3rd, 2008 at 6:18 am
I think we might have two!