Letter to editors on schools funding
So Barnet schools (‘Anger as schools face loss of £23m under new funding plan, the Press 8th Feb) are to lose £23 million- £497 per pupil- under Conservative Government cuts. That is hardly a surprise given their track record. But what is incredible is that Conservative Cllr Thompstone, Chair of Education in the borough has actually said he supports the formula which is making these cuts.
Surely Barnet Council and its councillors, whatever their political hue – are elected to stand up for the borough including its schools, not to refuse to do so. Cllr Thompstone is putting his narrow party political interest over the needs of Barnet’s children.
And for that matter, what of Barnet’s three Conservative MPs? They have been their usual silent selves whenever their Government axes funds to the borough. Even David Cameron complained to his local Council about their cuts to local services (even though they were down to him in the first place); but Barnet’s Tory MPs haven’t even done that. I recall them claiming at the last election they would represent their constituencies in Westminster, not the other way round! That has clearly been revealed as an ‘alternative fact’ as they vote for damaging cut after damaging cut without a peep as to their local impact , in this case on the future of Barnet children.
Andrew Dismore AM
Labour London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden
