BNP's man walks into governor role
A BNP councillor has joined the governing body of a city high school – because none of the other parties put up candidates.
Councillor Steve Batkin will fill one of the three vacancies at Edensor High School, in Longton.
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NEW ROLE: BNP councillor Steve Batkin, below, is on the governing body at Edensor High.
He was elected unopposed after the other political groups failed to put up alternatives.
Councillors had previously accused the BNP group of using underhand tactics to get its members elected as school governors.
They complained that the BNP had sprung nominations at the last minute, breaking the unwritten rule that candidates have to be announced in advance.
On this occasion the BNP followed this rule, declaring its nomination a week before the meeting.
Council leader Ross Irving, who also leads the Conservative group, said the Tories had been unable to find a suitable candidate for Edensor.
But he admitted that he was disappointed that none of the other groups had put up a nomination either, allowing Mr Batkin to be elected unopposed. He said: "I think this shows how difficult it can be to get people to commit to being a school governor. It isn't like it used to be when the role wasn't very onerous.
"It is worrying that the BNP were the only group which could find a candidate. I certainly hope Mr Batkin will bear in mind the educational mix found at that particular school."
In October the BNP failed to get two of its members elected as governors at Longton High School and St Augustine's Primary School, both in Meir.
Although the BNP group waited until halfway through a full council meeting to make its nominations, the Labour group also put up candidates, who were both elected.
But this time there were no nominations forthcoming from the group.
Labour leader Mohammed Pervez said: "I very much hope that other mainstream political parties will now join forces to ensure that more people put their names forward for these important positions."
BNP group leader councillor Michael Coleman says he has been left disappointed by members of his party being blocked from joining schools.
Mr Coleman, a governor at Longton High School, said: "It's disappointing that other groups don't back us being governors. I have voted for members of other parties in the past as it is important vacancies for governors are filled.
"It seems they would rather see them left empty or get the wrong people in just to keep us out. It's essential if the city is to progress to get the governing bodies working correctly.
"Steve Batkin will do his best for Edensor."
There are now seven schools in Stoke-on-Trent which have BNP councillors as governors.
The other six are: Longton High, Meir; Carmountside Primary School, Abbey Hulton; Mitchell Business and Enterprise College, Bucknall; Middlehurst School, Chell; Maple Court Primary, Bentilee; and Park Hall Primary.
Mr Batkin was unavailable for comment.
22 Comments
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by stokie, stoke
Tuesday, March 30 2010, 6:10PM
“Mick Penning - perhaps you'd like to advise me on which BNP proposals are racist? The one's proposing that we close our borders to more immigrants? If so i find it amusing that your one of those 'cry racist' left wing thought police who have decided to potray anyone who doesn't vote labour as an extremist/nazi etc etc blah blah blah.”
by jon, longton
Tuesday, March 30 2010, 6:32AM
“As long as he does a good job as a teacher why discriminate against him?????
i dont think he will be able to breed hate as someone has mentioned, cause if he did the education authority would have him out before he had chance.
Has hasnt even started yet, but has been labelled already.
I hope he does a good job, better than half there dim teachers we have these days, as it seems manners , road safety, and respect arent taught any more.
I live near a quite "supposededly" respected catcholic college, yet the pupils what come out of there are ill mannered, swear, are abusive, do there upmost to make the streets full of litter, walk in front of cars, thinking its there divine right to stop a car in its tracks, and if the car doesnt stop the driver gets a mouthful.
Lets hope Mr Batkin does a goes job,
oh and for all those that have already made their mind up its wrong, remember the law
"innocent till proven guilty"
and as "cs" says "we live in a free country" so why the fuss.........
Good Luck Mr Batkin, and prove the doubters wrong.
ps- for the record i am NOT a BNP member, supporter, voter, or have anything to do with them, but i believe EVERYONE should be given a chance, instead of being discriminated against”
by Eve, Wales
Tuesday, March 30 2010, 2:57AM
“MrsB, Stoke.
Actually, they won't! As for Mr. Griffin, MEP, the amount you mention is less that HALF of what he is entitled to. It was used to set up his office and pays to employ eight staff members.
Also, for your information, both Mr. Griffin and Mr. Brons contribute 10% of their salary's to their constituencies for good causes.
Name me ONE other MP or MEP that does that?”
by Johntoe, Stokie up north
Monday, March 29 2010, 10:12PM
“It makes me smile the wa the term "do gooder" is used by some people on this site, don't the people who use this term as a form of insult have a brain between them?
the irony of it, we wouldn't be having this 'debate' if it wasn't for the work of these terrible "do gooders" because your kids wouldn't be at school, they would either be down the mines or up a chimney or working 15 hour days in a factory, thats if they had survived birth and early infancy of course, YIP I would rather be remembered as a "do gooder" than as a "do badder" anytime thanks.”
by Paul, Rough Close
Monday, March 29 2010, 8:13PM
“Would staff employed at the school; Teachers, T.A.s administrative staff dinner ladies et al be tolerated if they were members of the BNP I doubt it.
Will apathy still out.....Perhaps not now.”
by Mick Penning, newcastle, staffs
Monday, March 29 2010, 7:47PM
“Geoff t:
British Race? Explain....
Stokie Stoke:
Are you saying that it is possible to vote and support the BNP and not hold Racist views?
Stanley -Blurton:
Is it within the constitution of the Board of Governors that a member of that Board can legally try to influence the children to follow in his footsteps?
Help! Is the someone out there with knowledge on this particular aspect?”
by geoff, Telford
Monday, March 29 2010, 7:31PM
“Rustinho, think you will find this country of ours is in the state it is because of people like you. You sound like one of the illustrious do-gooders and as long as it doesn't happen on my door step person so just sit there and do nothing attitude.”
by Stanley, Blurton
Monday, March 29 2010, 7:01PM
“I would not like to see my kid in that school.Hope he won't feed
these innocent kids with hatred.!”
by stokie, stoke
Monday, March 29 2010, 6:24PM
“France, Hanley - is it just Right views that you are opposed to or Left also? i'm against my child being told that he has to love and tolerate everyone from immigrants to peadophiles, but i suppose that makes me an extremist in your eyes. Polotics shouldn't enter into our education system at all.
Since we live in a democracy and the BNP represent at least some of the population i don't think it's right to tar all BNP supporters as racist. Thats the same as labelling the Liberals as tree hugging hippies”
by Rustinho, Silverdale
Monday, March 29 2010, 5:55PM
“Geoff - yawn - change the record!”