Letters: August 15, 2016

Anonymity is granted only at the discretion of the editor, who also reserves the right to edit letters.

Tory plans will cost us

IT APPEARS that most of the residents of Swindon are in for a double shock when council tax bills arrive early next year.

Notwithstanding the two per cent hike this year (plus the Conservative government-imposed three per cent extra levy), next year there is likely to be the customary two per cent rise with a 10 per cent extra charge as well.

People will not only be shocked by this massive increase but they will be puzzled to see that it is being sought by a thing called a “parish”.

Given the attendance at the engagement meetings most people will associate this word with the antics of a vicar in a TV programme, so what is it to do with money in Swindon?

It is all to do with poor running of the Tory-controlled Swindon Borough Council.

They have, repeatedly through the Adver’s columns, bleated about their financial woes and yet through this mismanagement painted themselves into this corner.

They could have slowly increased council tax over the last five years but have decided not to so as to give their candidates in the elections an advantage. They did not have to spend £15m on a new, unwanted car park in town, so incurring debt charges.

They embarked on being property developers with our land holdings at Wichelstowe, building the infrastructure and so incurred more debt.

They could have started the journey towards “parishing” the town a few years ago, but chose not to, because next May there will be no borough elections.

If this plan had been advocated last year, when we had an opportunity to vote on it, the Conservatives must have felt that they would lose seats on the council.

At recent meetings they have been repeatedly asked to put this plan to the people who would have to foot the bill, but time and again they have refused.

To make matters worse, new parish councils will not only physically be created. They, by magic, will have numerous councillors to oversee their business.

These councillors will be selected by the Conservatives on Swindon Council.

They will enter in contracts for the services they will be given to run that will be in place for many years to come.

Thus in May 2018, when we have a chance to vote on these parishes and contracts, it will be a done deal and we will be stuck with Conservative plans whether we like it or not.

It is not too late for Swindon Tories to do the right thing and vote against their plan at their cabinet and full council meetings.

By doing this they will be able to embark on a full consultation with residents about this plan rather than imposing it on us and our wallets.

BOB PIXTON

Liden

Swindon

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Grammar schools farce

GRAMMAR schools have been shot to pieces by almost every serious policy thinker from across the political spectrum.

The latest nonsense, however, regarding the subject, comes from the pen of JD Lancashire (Adver, August 11, ‘Re grammar school ban’).

They rightly assert that grammar schools were abolished by the Labour government in the 1960s (but not because of Labour ideology as they state) but conveniently ignore the fact that Maggie Thatcher, during her tenure as Secretary Of State for Education, closed more grammar schools than any other politician.

The merits of testing children at the age of 11 and dispatching them off to different schools have been comprehensively debunked by all from Policy Exchange – considered to be Cameron’s favourite think tank – to Corbyn.

As for the assertion that ‘people of all political leanings’ will welcome Mrs May’s decision to lift the ban on grammar schools, again, nonsense! Even many Tories are against it. There is resistance from right across the political spectrum also, with Labour, the Lib-Dems and charities lining up to condemn the proposals.

Grammar schools, contrary to myth, hit the poor and hit them hard.

All the evidence points, for the most part, to the fact that testing by academic ability at 11 did not benefit the brightest but those whose parents had the time or money to coach their offspring to pass the 11-plus.

Fewer than 10 per cent of manual workers’ children won a grammar school place, while more than 50 per cent of the children of professionals and business workers did.

The lucky few who are not from gilded backgrounds tend to struggle at grammar schools – a third of pupils from deprived backgrounds left without a single GCE.

We remember the one child in 10 lifted out of poverty by grammar schools but forget the other nine condemned to stay there.

No doubt it will be a crowd pleaser at this year’s Conservative Party conference, and the ban will probably be lifted.

If so, then the real lesson of grammar schools may have to be learnt again by another generation of victims.

Is this what Theresa May meant in her maiden speech by ‘prosperity for all’?

JEFF ADAMS

Bloomsbury

Swindon

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A note on sterling

RE THE Scottish ten pound note and the narrow-minded Swindonians.

I read about the Scottish couple on holiday and visiting family and being embarrassed when a Swindon shop worker refused to take their money.

I have a Scottish One Pound note as a keepsake of a visit. On it it says plainly: “pounds.”

And directly underneath this is the word “sterling.”

Sterling? Is that not what we refer to as our money? But if Scottish pounds sterling are not accepted, therefore my sterling is not acceptable either. Therefore, I will not go shopping in Swindon.

FRANCIS REED

Pinehurst Road, Swindon

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MNDA says thanks

I WRITE on behalf ON BEHALF of the North Wilts Group of Motor Neurone Disease Association.

I shouldwould like to thank everyone who contributed and supported us at our charity stall at the Market Cross, Malmesbury, on July 30.

They helped us helping us raise a total of £855 to help others battling for this incurable illness.

The money raised will go towards supporting local people living with this disease.

ANNE COLLISON

info@mndnorthwiltshire.org.uk