Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson and MSP for Glasgow Robert Brown has attacked Glasgow City Council’s decision to use CCTV cameras in Glasgow to target school protesters occupying Wyndford Primary School in Maryhill.

It is claimed that the CCTV cameras, installed to improve safety at nearby flats, have been turned to cover the school entrance and to monitor who goes in and out of the school.

It is understood that the CCTV cameras are the property of Cube Housing Association which are administered through Glasgow City Council’s CCTV monitoring centre but are not actually the property of the council.

Commenting, Mr Brown said:

“This is a civil protest, not a criminal issue.

It is completely unacceptable if the Council have made use of CCTV cameras, put in place to protect the local community, to breach the civil liberties of members of that same community.

The redirection of the cameras, away from the flats they were installed to monitor, will compromise the security of these homes. The Council’s action is excessive, unwarranted and a breach of civil liberties.

People in Wyndford feel strongly about the fact that the heart is being torn out of their local community with the closure of both schools in the area.

I am writing to the leader of Glasgow City Council, as a matter of urgency, demanding an explanation of the situation. I will also be raising this matter with Scottish Ministers. There are serious questions arising as to the proper use of CCTV cameras when they are used not to deter crime but to target protesters.”

Glasgow North Liberal Democrat Westminster spokesperson Katy Gordon added:

“The Council are treating the Wyndford parents like criminals. This sort of “big brother” tactic is excessive and out of place in a local dispute like this.”

“I’m really disappointed, but not surprised at the outcome of the vote. Yet again, Labour have proved they don’t listen. I was disgusted by Labour Councillors’ contempt for local residents in voting against closure in their own wards, but supporting closures outside their own patch. This cynical tactic fools no one.

I have fought alongside local parents. I know how upset they are at the damage to their childrens’ future. Now, more than ever, Glasgow North needs some to champion the views of local people.

I will continue this fight.”

Katy and Robert Brown MSP met with parents of Wyndford, St Gregory’s and St Agnes at a rally and protest march this morning at Glasgow City Chambers. Katy said:

“Parents are really upset at the Labour group’s decision to ignore their views. And even more upset that the council is now threatening to put their kids in the alternative schools on Monday if they don’t end their sit in.

The council need to stop playing politics and realise the parents are only trying to get their voices heard. No wonder they feel the formal consultation is a sham when even those schools with a really good case against closure, such as Wyndford, St Gregory’s and St Agnes, are refused a stay of execution.

No amount of warm words and offers of a community hub (in a Wyndford nursery that has no room for expansion) will change parents’ views: Labour has let them down again. The schools are the community hub – so why close them?”

Katy Gordon, Liberal Democrat Westminster spokesperson for Glasgow North today branded the Labour councillors’ decision to press ahead with closure of all bar one of the primary schools in Glasgow a disgrace.  Katy said:

“How can anyone believe that with 8000 responses to the consultation, 96% of which opposed to the closures, that this was a genuine consultation, when the huge voice of protest has been virtually ignored? Labour simply aren’t listening.  And yet again opposition councillors were bypassed as Labour tried to spin the news despite rejecting virtually all the arguments for alternatives. Is it any wonder local people think Labour don’t care?

I am sure the parents of Wyndford and St Gregory’s, who care so much about their community’s schools that they have been camping out inside them in protest, will find it hard to believe their voices have been brushed aside so easily.

As Labour has tied itself in knots on the closures, spending more time apparently on presentation than on genuinely considering alternatives, the local Labour MP appears more interested in competitons to find the best curry house in Britain than in the future of local primary schools. “

Just in from the evening times: Disbelief as schools fight ends in defeat.

Selected quotes include:

Tracey Wilson, 34, said: “I’m absolutely shocked. I have always voted Labour and I feel let down.

Tracey added: “It’s brought the community of Wyndford closer together. We can hold our heads up high when we come out of here.”

It is clear that Labour are not standing up for the people of Glasgow North. Local people know it.

At the next General Election the fight will be between Labour and the Lib Dems. There are only 3338 votes in it.

What do you think?

Over 250 balloons (one for each pupil in Wyndford & St Gregory’s Primaries) were scattered to the four corners of Glasgow. Parents were hoping councillors, who will decide the fate of their schools later this month, would see the balloons and think twice about scattering local children across Glasgow.

Anne Muir, Chair of St Gregory’s Parents Council said:

“The last few weeks have been a real struggle for parents of St Gregory’s and Wyndford Primary. Releasing the balloons is a symbol of hope over the Easter holidays that our schools can still be saved and that councillors don’t rip the heart out of our community.”

Earlier in the day, both schools held end of term Easter services, where pupils prayed for the future of their schools. After the balloon release, some parents followed their children’s example by camping out in the 2 schools, to hold their own prayers at candlelit vigils.

Katy Gordon, Liberal Democrat Westminster spokesperson for Glasgow North commented:

“The parents have fought a long, hard campaign and we’ve been supporting them throughout. The Labour council needs to listen to the huge voice of protest from the community and remove the threat of closure from Wyndford & St Gregory’s. At this time of year, they should recognise the folly of these proposals and resurrect the future of the Wyndford, rather than dealing a body blow to the community. “

Robert Brown, Liberal Democrat MSP for Glasgow, who was also present, added:

“It is time for the Council to bow to the justified public case on this matter and provide an ongoing community school presence in Wyndford. Any other course of action would simply be flying in the face of public opinion and obvious need.”

Katy Gordon, campaigner against the closure of Wyndford’s 2 primary schools, travelled to Harrogate at the weekend to seek support from Nick Clegg, UK leader of the Liberal Democrats, for the campaign.

Katy met Nick Clegg at the party’s federal conference, which was focused on life chances for children, from primary schools to college and university education.

Nick was happy to support the campaign against closure by signing the petition to save St Gregory’s and Wyndford Primary Schools on Friday.

Katy Gordon, Westminster spokesperson for Glasgow North, commented:

“The conference this weekend is concentrating on education as the best route out of poverty for those in disadvantaged areas. Our party across the country recognises that closing schools in deprived areas puts parents at a huge disadvantage in trying to give their children the best start in life. Although education is a devolved issue, the Liberal Democrats both north and south of the border are focused on getting education right for our young people.

If Wyndford and St Gregory’s close, there will be no primary school in the area and the heart will have been ripped out of the community. Parents are really worried about having to give up their jobs to get their children to school on time or scraping the money together for extra bus fares. Wyndford residents deserve better. The Labour council should think again and stop the threat to Wyndford and St Gregory’s.”

Katy will be taking the campaign up to Perth this weekend, for the Scottish Liberal Democrats’ spring conference.

Vince Cable MP and Katy Gordon protest at School Closures

Former councillor for the Wyndford area, Vince Cable MP, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Shadow Chancellor, came to Glasgow to protest at the threatened closure of the two schools at the heart of the community he used to represent.

Vince met parents of St Gregory’s and Wyndford Primary Schools when he came to sign the petition against closure outside the school gates on Saturday 21st February.

As he looked round the school and spoke to parents, Vince said:

“It is a very sad day when a Labour council is depriving people of educational opportunity on their doorstep. I used to be the councillor for this area and I know that the people of the Wyndford care about both their primary schools.

When I heard about the threat to schools in my former ward, I was determined to come in person to join the chorus of protest against this ill thought our proposal, which will have a damaging financial impact on local families. My colleague Katy Gordon has worked really hard with local parents to get the whole community involved in the fight to save Wyndford and St Gregory’s. I am delighted to put my name to the petition and I will also be filling in the consultation form and sending it back to the council.

Katy Gordon, Westminster spokesperson for Glasgow North, added:

“I was so pleased to get a call from Vince asking to come and join the protest in person. The more we can do to help save the school the better. If Wyndford and St Gregory’s close, there will be no primary school in the area and the heart will have been ripped out of the community.

At 58% occupancy, Wyndford is far higher than the 40% the city council say is the trigger for closure. I have spoken to several mums & dads who say they just won’t be able to afford the extra bus fares to take their children to the proposed alternative schools. One parent has even told me she might have to give up work to get her child to school and back on time.

Wyndford residents deserve better. The council should think again and stop the threat to Wyndford and St Gregory’s.”