Glasgow parents today met with MSPs at the Scottish Parliament in an attempt to keep their campaign alive despite Glasgow City Council having already voted to close 20 schools and nurseries. It is the third time schools campaigners have been invited to the parliament.

There is widespread support for their plight at parliament but the law forbids the Scottish Parliament or Scottish Ministers from 'calling in' the council decision.

MSPs Bob Doris and Anne McLaughlin have been behind the campaign since day one. Mr Doris today commented: "We continue to work closely with parent groups to drive the campaign forward. The possibility of a judicial review at the Court of Session has been suggested as an option due to the numerous mistakes made during the consultation process.

"My SNP parliamentary colleagues and I were delighted to sign a declaration of support handed to us by parents, and I would urge all other members of parliament to make the same pledge.

"We have also advised parents to make a submission to the parliament’s Petitions Committee and I will be writing to the Conveners of both the Education and Local Government & Communities committees to ask them to consider the aspects of the school closure programme which will affect their respective areas of interest. This is the people’s parliament and where it has no power in law, it should still be used to express the will of the Scottish people. Damaging decisions by local authorities can have national implications and it is only right that parliament makes the voice of the people heard.

"Some angry parents told me that they expect the Scottish Government to halt the closures. However, there is no procedure for the government to do so and a democratic government cannot break the law of the land just to get its own way. The culprits cannot be let off the hook and any temptation to do so will just clear the way for more Labour closures. The Labour City Council is an elected body put there by the people of Glasgow to serve them. Its days are now well and truly numbered."

Anne McLaughlin MSP was also there to meet the parents. She added: "It is abominable that citizens of Glasgow have to seriously consider recourse to the highest court in the land to stop the bully tactics of elected local politicians. The long term answer to all of this is to boot Labour out at the ballot box, but that will not happen in time to save these schools.

"The campaign has drawn wide political support. The entire experience should now focus the minds of politicians, so we can work out how this situation will not be repeated."

"96% of 7,200 respondents to the consultation were against the closures. Labour are operating this policy with 4% support, not a mandate by any stretch of the imagination. The rules on consultations need to be looked at carefully. I can't imagine a situation where I would use my elected position to walk all over 96% of the population. It is clear from talking to community groups across the city that Labour in Glasgow has had its day."

"As the SNP delivers lower class sizes across Scotland, Glasgow City Council has bizarrely branded the policy “irresponsible”, flying in the face of any respected educational opinion. Educational attainment statistics in Glasgow continue to be amongst the worst in the country, and whilst over the past five years education funding across Scotland has risen by 9%, in Glasgow it has fallen by 9% over the same period. As a result of this closure plan, class sizes will rise and attainment levels will fall further. The Labour councils’ priorities are all over the place."