UKIP's Martin Ferguson sinks without trace and his successor gets into hot water

Martin Ferguson

Martin Ferguson, who was UKIP's candidate for Brent North was mysteriously replaced at the last minute by Alan Craig. There are mutterings of a possible 'embarrassment' regarding Ferguson that has been allegedly hushed up by the party. It is unclear whether he remains a member of UKIP. Ferguson has not responded to my enquiries about the reasons for him stepping down and his party status. His image still appears on UKIP's official candidiates' page LINK

His successor, Alan Craig, has lost no time in making his mark. Pink News has exclusively revealed LINK that he is due to speak at a 'gay cure' event. He will join a panel on 'resisting indoctrination' alongside Christian anti-gay activists.

Scott Bartle, Craig's Green Party opponent said:

The only ‘conversion’ the Green Party is interested in is from a bigoted society, to one where we’ve put an end to discrimination of people due to their sexuality and protect non-binary rights.

Sadly (and ironically for UKIP) it is prejudiced attitudes of people such as Mr Craig that contribute towards people seeking asylum in the UK because of the criminalisation, discrimination and violence they experience in their own countries.

It’s time to end this culture of disbelief which has not only denied LGBTIQ people of their refugee status but resulted in needless deaths, including that of Leelah Alcorn.

Alan Craig

Craig, a former leader of  Christian People's Alliance has a history of opposition to gay marriage and called advocates of homosexual equality the 'Gaystapo'. He said LINK

Whatever you think of the issue itself, the gay marriage legislation last year was a democratic disgrace. Faithful one man/one woman marriage has been a defining and enduring bedrock of our society and culture – and the preeminent place of nurture for the nation’s children – for a millennium and a half.

Bob Blackman

His position is very similar to that of Bob Blackman, presently fighting to retain his Harrow East seat for the Conservatives. Blackman was denounced by his ex-mistress for 11 years, Cllr Carol Shaw (Conservative, Brondesbury Park) after he spoke about the sanctity of marriage in parliament.

Blackman said:

If this (gay marriage) went ahead it would be difficult to promote Christian values in parliament. I also make a point to promote religious values in my constituency.

Marriage is for man and woman, and for same-sex couples there is a legal partnership. It certainly angers religious groups and constituents, many of whom have contacted me

Luke Parker, the Conservative candidate for Brent North, is rather more progressive. Responding to Pink News LINK over Alan Craig's speaking engagement he said:

I don’t actually think it’s funny… this is a very serious and growing party, and they’ve transgressed into a party of hate.

UKIP selection policy seems to be based on finding people who can get as many other people as possible angry about who they want to hate this week.

He went on:

I wonder if there’s aversion therapy that can stop you being a bigot. If there is, maybe we can set it up so every time someone looks at a UKIP leaflet, they get an electric shock.”

Free school still an option in Brent's school places plans

The dispute within Brent Labour about whether to pursue a free school partnership option to address the school places shortage appears to have been won by the 'pro' faction. Their argument had been that the priority was to get unplaced children into school and that by entering into partnerships the council could exercise some degree of control over the type of free school set up in the borough. The counter argument was that free schools undermine local authority schools, disrupt the systematic planning of school places, lack democratic accountability, and may reinforce class and religious divisions.

A report going  before the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee on June 13th states:

In line with many other authorities, the Council is also exploring the potential for working with free school providers. There is government funding available for the development of free schools and any new schools that open are most likely to be Free Schools or Academies.

The report notes that an application by a Christian group for a free school in Brent is currently being considered by the DFE to open in September 2013.  The 'Bishop House School' would have space for 210 pupils (a one form entry primary). No location has been announced and an internet search has not yet yielded any  information about the school. Is Brent Council considering going into partnership to set up a Christian school?

The report sets out expansion plans that have taken place and are in the pipeline including 'non-traditional' ways such as the use of non-school buildings as 'satellites' to existing schools. Currently this includes the provision of two classes at the old Preston Library which will come under Preston Park Primary whose headteacher has also just been drafted into Park Lane Primary School following the suspension of its headteacher.

Interestingly the report is silent about the future of the Gwenneth Rickus (above) building in Brentfield Road. This was formerly part of the Sladebrook High School and is currently the Centre for Staff Development for Brent teachers. It is due to be closed in Summer 2013 and staff (if any survive the restructuring of the School Improvement Service) moved to the Civic Centre in Wembley.

The building has been refurbished to high standards with many energy saving features and could easily be adapted for a school building. However, there are rumours that it is to be put on the open market. Would a free school make a bid or will it be converted into flats on the model of the Dudden Hill school building?

Another option that is mentioned briefly but with no detail could be explored by the committee.  Land has been set aside in the Quintain development near Wembley Stadium for a possible new school. It is in  Fulton Road behind the retail park and would be financed through Section 106 funds.  The possibility of a school on the site was mentioned during consultations on the Wembley Area Plan with some concerns expressed about the need for action on 'dirty neighbours' such as waste processing plants.

The report states that as of 1st May 2012 388 children of statutory school age in Brent were without a school place. Parents had rejected 12 of only 14 places offered. There are 978 vacancies in Brent but 'these are not necessarily in the right geographical location of they may be vacancies in faith schools not available for all children'. Surely the latter point is one to be kept in mind if the council decides to form a free school partnership with a Christian organisation?

Brent has received capital funding recently to provide additional school places but the report predicts that on present projections it will not resolve the shortage: 'There is an extremely strong case for continuing to conduct a robust lobbying campaign in conjunction with London Councils'.

I would support such a campaign but I think that it should include demands that funds should be available to build new local authority schools, rather than academies or free schools.