Cllr William's education policy in tatters as Hurworth is saved

2.53.12pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 17th Mar 2006

Darlington Liberal Democrats are delighted at the decision not to close Hurworth School - a decision which Cllr Martin Swainston fought hard to help achieve with his tenacious questioning in Council.

The cost of the exercise - not only financial, but also in terms of public confidence in the current Labour leadership of the Council - is such that we now need to ask whether Cllr Williams is fit to remain as Leader of the Council.

Cllr Williams should now consider his position. His education policy is in tatters; he has alienated much of the Borough, caused immense upset to pupils, parents and teachers and caused divisions between the Head Teachers of our schools. His comment that "This is tremendous news...for education throughout the Borough" is breathtaking. If it's so good, why has he put us through the past nine months pursuing an alternative plan?

Darlington Liberal Democrats call on the Council to conduct an open - and open-minded - review of secondary education in Darlington. There must be no preconceptions - no political point-scoring - and no single 'preferred option'. The Council must review the facts and offer a range of options for genuine public debate. The pupils, parents and teachers of Darlington deserve no less.