AS you reported last week, Liberal, Liberal Democrat, Health Concern and Independent county councillors supported the Labour Party's motion calling for a referendum on the proposed move from three tier to two-tier education in Wyre Forest. The call was won by 27 votes to 25, with every Conservative councillor present voting against giving the people the final say.

The debate heard a plethora of reasons from the Conservatives why the people of Wyre Forest should not be canvassed before the final decision is made. These included spurious arguments about the electoral register, and the fact that people without children currently in affected schools would also have a say. This second reason misses the point, of course, that local schools are part of local communities and not just of interest to those with children currently enrolled.

The whole debate left me wondering what the Conservatives are so scared of. Surely they realise that such a fundamental educational change should at the very least command the support of a simple majority of local people?

The final decision on a referendum now moves to the county council cabinet who, on November 11, will be faced with the simple decision of whether or not to let the people of Wyre Forest have their say on this issue.

I am calling on people of all political persuasions to get behind the call for a referendum and to let their political representatives know exactly how they feel.

MARC BAYLISS

Labour Prospective Parliamentary Candidate

Wyre Forest Consituency