THE Tory’s record on education has been defended by Isle of Wight Conservative candidate Bob Seely after attacks from Labour and the Greens.
Yesterday (Monday) Labour candidate Julian Critchley accused the Conservative government of privatising schools by stealth and “vandalism of our state education system.”
The Greens also hit out at Conservatives, as well as Labour, at their education policy launch yesterday (Monday).
Green Party candidate Vix Lowthion said: “Decades of Conservative and Labour governments have resulted in over tested, unhappy and below average attainment for our children.”
Cllr Seely responded: “Government proposals increase investment in Island education by over £800,000 and Island Conservatives will be working together to convince ministers to look again at the detail to ensure that all Island children get a fair deal.
“Island Conservatives, working with Hampshire County Council, have been driving up education standards over past few years and are committed to ensuring that all schools on the Isle of Wight will be good or better.
“I pay tribute to the dedicated staff in schools across the Island, and welcome the recently announced Isle of Wight Council Initiative, Awards for Excellence in Education, to acknowledge their hard work.
“As the Conservative parliamentary candidate, I will work alongside local councillors to do everything in my power to prevent the loss of the secondary school provision in Sandown.
“What Conservatives want to see is real action and people working together to defend schools and improve education for young people on the Isle of Wight, not opportunistic political grandstanding.”