The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Defector claims he faced threat over proposed school
The former Conservative MP who defected to Labour claimed he was threatened about the loss of a school in his constituency if he did not toe the line.
Christian Wakeford crossed the floor in protest at Boris Johnson’s leadership and the row over Downing Street parties.
The Bury South MP said the “threat” over the school led to him questioning his position in the Conservative Party.
He told BBC North West: “I was threatened that I would not get the school for Radcliffe if I did not vote in one particular way.
“This is a town that’s not had a high school for the best part of 10 years, and how would you feel when holding back the regeneration of a town for a vote? It didn’t sit comfortably and that was when I was really starting to question my place, where I was, and ultimately where I am now.”
A Labour source said the vote in question related to free school meals.
Bury county councillor Mike Smith, who represents Radcliffe West on the local authority, said it “would be disappointing” if the school’s funding had been used as a threat.
Mr Smith said: “I have no idea what the machinations are in Westminster politics – my concerns are local, and for over 30,000 people who haven’t had a high school in 10 years.”
He added: “I have emailed both the councillor at Bury who is in charge of regeneration and the person who is in charge of the school asking for their input as to whether there is any truth to this, and whether there is any threat to the funding.
“Reading his comments, it would be very surprising if there was – I’m taking it that this is quite historical.”
Mr Smith, part of the independent party Radcliffe First, said
planning permission was due to be sought for the school early this year and the first intake of pupils should be in September 2024.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Simon Clarke said Mr Wakeford is not a “neutral source” on allegations of intimidation, which were first raised by senior Conservative MP William Wragg.
Addressing the defector’s claims, the Tory minister told Times Radio: “It’s either something he can substantiate or it isn’t. “I think that’s the point. “And I simply need to see any evidence that that has in fact occurred.
“I think we have to accept objectively here that Mr Wakeford is not entirely a neutral source on these matters, having made the decision that he has.”
The Manchester Evening News reported in February 2021 that the “long awaited high school in Radcliffe” had been approved by the government as one of four new free schools to have been given the green light across Greater Manchester.
As he introduced a speech by shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves in Bury, Mr Wakeford said Labour was “ready to provide an alternative government that this country can be proud of and deserves, and certainly not to be embarrassed by, and this is one of the reasons why I’m here today”.