SNP Dump "Brick for Brick" Pledge on Schools
Local residents understandably reacted with fury to news that the Lib Dem/ SNP Council was to close 22 local schools and four community centres across the Capital. Thousands of parents learned of the massive cuts in a letter sent home via their children on the first day of the new term. In no small part to the campaign by parents, pupils and other concerned residents that the SNP on the Council performed a U-turn and withdrew their support having originally voted for the plans in August along with their Lib Dem Coalition partners. I am grateful to the many constituents who contacted me outlining their own concerns about the plans. My own opposition to the closure programme can be viewed here but it is vital that we keep the pressure up as they have made clear that none of the facilities can be ruled out of any revised plans. To add your support to the campaign against the cuts see the dedicated website here.
The refusal of the new SNP Scottish Government to fund wave three of investment in Edinburgh schools is equally disappointing and leaves a huge question mark hanging over the redevelopment of Boroughmuir School in Edinburgh Central among other schools across the Capital. Whether using the same funding method or not, the SNP claimed they would match Labour's schools building programme "brick for brick" and are now reneging on that pledge. Lavish pre-election promises are coming back to haunt the SNP. The Scottish Government now has more money than any previous Executive and are running out of excuses. In short parents and pupils in Edinburgh deserve better.