Scottish National Party MSP Bob Doris has today expressed his astonishment at the decision of the ruling Labour group on Glasgow City Council to completely ignore the voices of local communities and go ahead with a string of ill thought out city school and nursery closures: "The arrogance is astounding. 96% of the 7,200 respondents said no to closure. The consultation has been flawed since day one and it would now appear to have been even more of a paper exercise than I first anticipated. I am stunned, these are brutal actions from an out of touch Labour council."

Mr Doris, who has supported campaigners throughout the consultation period, paid tribute to their efforts: "The strength of opinion across the city culminated in a focussed, well organised campaign early on. During the various demonstrations, from the peaceful vigil at St Gregorys' and Wyndford Primary Schools to the rally outside the UK cabinet meeting at the SECC, the campaigners have been resolute in their opposition to this damaging closure programme."

Commenting on last minute alternative proposals brought before the council by members of the opposition group: "The SNP group on the council could not have been any more opposed to this wholesale closure plan. Even at the last minute, our party attempted to find a solution to save at least some of these schools from the axe. I commend my fellow SNP colleagues on the council for their strenuous efforts and I am proud to be a member of the SNP in Glasgow today.

"Labour has deserted the people of Glasgow. Their strategy of ploughing on regardless despite overwhelming opposition will come back to haunt them. Parents in Glasgow will not easily forgive the party who have taken their schools away. Labour will pay a heavy price indeed when Glasgow goes to the polls for the European elections on 4th June."