David Willetts - » Press Release: Labour hypocrisy over second chance education

Press Release: Labour hypocrisy over second chance education

January 9, 2008 | Posted by Office

In a Commons debate called by Conservatives last night, 63 Labour MPs voted against a motion on second chance education identical to an Early Day Motion they signed up to just weeks before.

211 MPs, including 86 Labour MPs, signed a cross party EDM expressing concern about the Government’s £100m cuts to second chance education, which will particularly affect part-time students and mothers returning to work. Last night, after an Opposition Day Debate called by the Conservatives, 63 of those Labour MPs voted with the Government, against exactly the same motion. Shadow Innovation, Universities and Skills Secretary, David Willetts, said: “The hypocrisy displayed here is breathtaking. These 63 Labour MPs were right to register their concerns at the £100m cuts in second chance education, which particularly affect part-time students and mothers returning to work. But in order to save the Government embarrassment they chose to vote against themselves. “Their constituents will be very disappointed that they caved into the Labour whips instead of sticking to their guns.”

Notes to Editors The following Labour MPs signed up to EDM 317 but then voted against the identical motion in the House of Commons last night:

6. Clark, Katy

9. Cryer, Ann

10. Cunningham, Jim

11. Curtis-Thomas, Claire