Glasgow 'save our schools' campaigners are to visit the Scottish Parliament today to keep the momentum of their campaign alive despite Glasgow City Council having already voted to close 20 schools and nurseries.

Bob Doris MSP of the Scottish National Party who today tabled a parliamentary motion in support of the visit said: "I am proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with these campaigners as I have done since the start. This was a decision of the elected Labour council and unfortunately the law will not permit the Scottish Government to intervene."

"The devastation this ill considered closure plan will cause to communities across Glasgow is beyond belief. 96% of 7,200 respondents to the consultation were opposed to the plan. How can a democratic council pursue a policy that has only got 4% support?"

"If there had been the slightest whiff of this at the last council election we would not be sitting with a Labour council right now.
Thankfully, the people of Glasgow will have an opportunity to send a message to Labour on 4th June when we go to the polls for the European election. If they are let off the hook for this, how many more schools are going to be axed?"

"These schools are not closed yet and it is not too late for the council to reconsider. This has been a bitter struggle and I applaud the courage and determination of these campaigners."

Note:

The following motion was lodged 13th May 2009:

Continuing Support for Glasgow Parents Against School Closures
S3M-04133 Bob Doris (Glasgow) (SNP): That the Parliament congratulates parents from across Glasgow who have campaigned against school closures; welcomes their visits to the Scottish Parliament, including their visit on Thursday 14 May 2009; is outraged at Glasgow City Council's decision to push ahead with closures in the face of 96% opposition during the consultation process; notes that there is no system of call-in by which the Scottish Government can intervene in the process and that only a system of referral by local authorities to the Scottish Government exists; supports any legal recourse that may be taken by parents to prevent closure and hopes that this will be successful, and further hopes that even at this late stage Glasgow City Council will have a change of heart and halt the impending closures.