10:08am Wednesday 17th February 2010
SIR, I attended the public hearing on Monday, February 8, where hundreds of people turned out to argue the case with the Schools Adjudicator to keep Hesketh Fletcher High School open.
Many people spoke at the meeting including pupils, parents, teachers, Atherton Independent councillors and a large number of local residents who all gave compelling reasons not to close the school.
However, not a single word was spoken by Mark Aldred, Susan Loudon or Anne Turnock who are the elected Labour councillors for Atherleigh, the ward where the school is located.
Considering the importance of this issue to local people, this is an absolute disgrace and a betrayal of the people who elected them.
Maybe I am naive, but I thought people entered into local politics to fight on major issues on behalf of local people, not to remain silent and see their only High School close, against the wishes of the people they represent.
The adjudicator will make his decision in the coming weeks and the voters will get their say a few weeks later at the local elections.
Neil Wade Atherton
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