Tories put politics above education

Commenting on the news that the Bristol’s Tory Group have sought a special Council meeting to try and stop the primary review bid, Bristol’s Liberal Democrat Leader, Cllr Barbara Janke commented:

“We welcome the fact that work has been done on our suggestions for moving forward. We all want to get the best possible deal for the city and education is our number one priority. We will not therefore back Bristol’s Tory Group.

“Such a vote on an educational issue would send completely the wrong message to government and most importantly to our own citizens. At a time when we have an interim director of CYPS and there is much change in the air, we need to assure parents and carers, teaching staff and governors that councillors are working for the good of the children.

“This is the worst possible timing to ensure that the bid for government funding of £12m to improve our primary schools is successful.

“Yet again the Tories are putting political game playing above the basic need to improve Bristol children’s education. They risk throwing the baby of £12m investment out with the bath water of political grandstanding.

“I am quite sure that all councillors want to take the city forward and provide real new opportunities for Bristol children. Colleagues in the Liberal Democrat Group will be putting Bristol children first and leading the challenge of improving education in Bristol.”