Plaid Cymru AM Dr. Dai Lloyd has accused the Liberal Democrats of being hypocrites on the issue of school closures.

The Liberal Democrat-led administration on Swansea Council is expected to rubber stamp the closure of Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Garnswllt at its Cabinet meeting on Thursday.

However the Liberal Democrats held a protest at the Eisteddfod in North Wales last week calling for the protection of rural schools.

Dr. Lloyd, who along with the Plaid Cymru Councillors’ group on Swansea Council has opposed the closure of the school, stated:

“This is total hypocrisy from the Liberal Democrats who on the one hand are saying the right things, but are doing quite the opposite. I cannot believe how two faced their Education spokesman Peter Black is on this issue.

“How on earth can he say these things knowing full well that his administration in Swansea is going to proceed to close the Welsh-medium school in Garnswllt.

“The Garnswllt community is totally opposed to this closure which will have a devastating affect on the village and will mean children having to travel great distances to attend a primary school.

“I urge him to prove that these words are not simply hot air by convincing his colleagues in the Administration to keep the school open and consider a whole range of options which would mean the village keeping its school. Otherwise, it looks like this is yet more Lib-Dem opportunism.”

Swansea Councillor Peter Black, who is also the Liberal Democrats’ spokesman on Education at the Assembly, stated as part of the Eisteddfod campaign, “Rural schools often have a vital role in supporting the community. They are a resource for the whole community and contribute to developing community life, particularly in Welsh-speaking areas.”

He went on to say, “We cannot say that no school will ever close, but all options must be considered before any closure is sanctioned. To enable rural schools to provide the best possible education local authorities and the Assembly Government must consider federation and clustering, the effect on the local community of losing a school and the transport benefits of having a local school. “

Diwedd/Ends