Chris Bramall visits King Ed's; "a great institution"; "disgust and disbelief" at funding fiasco

Chris Bramall, prospective Liberal Democrat candidate for Stourbridge, visited King Edward VI College, Stourbridge on 8th March for talks with the Principal, Sharon Phillips.

Sharon Phillips explained the success of King Edward's as a 6th form college that can not only deliver quality education, but can deliver it in an exceptionally cost effective way. She highlighted Britain's need for successful A-level students who can go on to university and provide the skills that the country will need.

Sharon Phillips emphasised that King Edwards must retain strict neutrality in the general election campaign, but explained that the College expected to host a discussion between the candidates, in front of an audience of students. The College is also a main centre used by BBC TV's Politics Show for its coverage of the general election.

Chris Bramall, whose four children all attended the College, said: "King Edward's College is a great and historic institution. It was originally set up by the people of Stourbridge, and the people of Stourbridge can justly be proud of it. May it grow from strength to strength!

"I wish to put on record the disgust and disbelief I felt over the last couple of years when I read about the disgraceful fiasco over the funding of college building programmes. The overspending and breaking of promises by the Learning and Skills Council, the abrupt cancellation of building projects, the waste of public resources and the damage to our young people's education would be worthy of the worst failed state, or a work of fiction. And the Labour Government, which claims to believe in 'joined-up government' just washed its hands of the situation. I believe the work of Stourbridge College and King Edward's College was gravely harmed by this shameful episode.

"Britain needs a government that will put an end to the wastage of public money by incompetent bureaucrats."

Chris Bramall

prospective Liberal Democrat candidate

Stourbridge constituency

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Published and promoted by Simon Hanson on behalf of the Stourbridge Liberal Democrats,

both at 53 Chawn Hill, Stourbridge, West Midlands, DY9 7JA