Day 34 – SMS Middle School Open Meetings…

First of all, welcome to all our new readers…there are a LOT of you ! Keep blogging on every day, and in those spare moments that we all have (!), why not take some time to read back through from the beginning…you might even find a few jokes hidden in there somewhere…Frank Branston as Blakey, that was our favourite…inspired…thanks Frank, you’ve been one of the biggest assets for our campaign so far…

We have had 2 open meetings at middle schools so far – Daubeney in Kempston on Monday night and Alban in Great Barford last night. Very many thanks for coming to all of you, that is about 250 parents so far – every time we speak, every time we explain the alternative view, we grow stronger as a campaign. The blog stats went through the roof last night and as this is our major means of communication, we need you to keep coming back.

The next meetings are at Goldington tonight (7pm on Wed 3rd June), Margaret Beaufort in Riseley (7pm on Thursday 18th June), and Woodside (probably Tue 30th June…watch this space)…anyone is invited, so please come along…

Last night’s parents’ meeting was at Alban Middle School in Great Barford and the parents were baying for Frank and Chris’s blood by the end…OK I exaggerate for comic effect, they were much more polite and English about the whole thing… but I think we’re allowed a little poetic licence here…

One of the most important things to come out of the debate was how powerless our elected representatives feel when confronted by someone like our all-powerful mayor. It was said by one councillor standing for re-election that there was nothing anyone could do, that of the 36 elected representatives, 9 of Frank’s closest political allies could be chosen as his cabinet, and that the school system decision could be made by Frank and his mates over a beer in the local pub…OK, OK, comic exaggeration again, I admit they are serious local politicians who think deeply about the issues before they retire for their favourite beverage…mmm, beer…oh no Frank as another cartoon character came to mind…really must get more sleep…

So back to the thread, some serious questions for local democracy here then. Why should a decision of this magnitude be taken by essentially one man?

Let’s all write to Frank Branston to ask him why he thinks this is democratic and what would happen if the public vote came down strongly in favour of retention? Why won’t the consultation meetings allow both sides of the debate to present – SMS will be there at all 6 with a USB stick ready to stand up and present. Why not ask this question at the meeting itself? And why won’t he call a local referendum on the issue?

Frank Branston may be contacted by email at frank.branston@bedford.gov.uk (you might be able to click on these links to fire up your Outlook or other email programme)

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