Labour and SNP deny any kind of split after vote over education

IMBATM: Both say they are ‘working very well together’ in running council

A possible split in Fife Council’s SNP/ Labour administration over the future of education has been denied by both parties.

During a discussion in the education and children’s services committee Labour joined Tory and Liberal Democrat councillors on the committee to defeat the SNP on an amendment.

However, SNP councillor and committee convener Fay Sinclair stressed the amendment effectively “changed nothing”.

“In terms of saying the administration is split, I don’t agree,” she said. “We’re working very well together but we’re still different parties.”

That position was echoed by Fife Council’s Labour group leader David Ross.

“The committee all agreed to approve the report’s recommendations to engage on a regional collaborative covering the south-east of Scotland with the aim of improving educational attainment,” he said.

“There are varying levels of concern about the implications of some elements of the Scottish Government’s Next Steps review. These were demonstrated in the discussion and the voting at the committee.

“But fundamentally, we are all agreed that we are committed to improving education and are willing to work with other local authorities and the Scottish Government to do this.”

Opponents claim the plans will “shortcircuit” local authorities, breaking the link between parents and councillors.

Cupar Conservative councillor Tony Miklinski had put forward the amendment supported by Labour and Lib Dems.

It wanted members to “recognise the deep concern at the threat to local democratic accountability”.

He described the vote as a “significant result” and suggested the break in unity showed how important the issue is.

“Education is a critical issue for parents across Fife and Scotland and the SNP Government is in trouble over falling educational standards,” he said.

“Their response is to try to bulldoze through reforms that are not fully thought through or, indeed, likely to result in improvements.

“The cross-party support this amendment achieved is a shot across John Swinney’s bows.

“We don’t need Fife’s education system to be thrown up in the air just to satisfy the SNP’s need to be seen to be doing something.”

The crossparty support this amendment achieved is a shot across John Swinney’s bows. TONY MIKLINKSI