Lib Dems in a muddle over Education White Paper 30th November

County Conservatives have called on the Lib Dems to clarify their position on the Government’s Education White Paper following a confused motion tabled at yesterday’s meeting of the County Council. The White Paper builds on policies that have delivered for pupils and parents a highly successful education system in Surrey.

The motion, which was overwhelmingly rejected by Members, also failed to take into account the fact that much of the White Paper simply restates what is existing government policy.

Commenting Andrew Crisp, Conservative Education Spokesman, said:

“I’m delighted that we had the opportunity to discuss the White Paper, however, I found this a rather curious motion, as if the person who had written it had been asleep for the last twenty years. The broad outline of the White Paper merely continues in the direction we have been travelling in for the previous two decades.

The paper does little other than restate what has previously been stated, much of which was Conservative policy rejected in 1997 but now back in vogue as Tony Blair desperately looks to secure his legacy. And just as the Prime Minster is confused then this motion is a muddle.

The Lib Dems motion is more about increasing the bureaucracy that runs our schools rather than how we can deliver a better service to children and parents. While there are flaws with the White Paper there are also opportunities and Surrey has always been keen to seize any opportunities that will result in a better standard of education for the County’s children”