• I HAVE been a loyal and very active member of the Gospel Oak Labour Party for well over 40 years.

For most of this time, retiring some three years ago, I was chair of governors of Carlton school, appointed by the Labour Party.

Thus I am well aware of the important, not to say essential, contribution it makes in an area which has high social deprivation, gang-related drug dealing and violence and death.

Less than nine months ago a young man was brutally hacked to death less than 100 metres from the gates of the school and there have been many more acts of violence in the vicinity.

The school acts as a bulwark against some local young people being groomed into the drug economy and works closely with vulnerable families.

It is a vital social institution in the area, more than just a school. Yet the council have chosen, for reasons not declared, to propose as the only option to close it. Why Carlton and not other schools with similar pupil vacancy rates?

Indeed why close any school in a vulnerable area. What do I say to voters in the forthcoming Haverstock by-election? Or do I just tell them I am deeply ashamed to be a member of the Camden Labour Party?

To date some 1,250 have already signed the parents’ petition opposing the proposed closure. Is the council leader listening?

The threat hanging over the school needs to be withdrawn immediately or parents will transfer their children and staff will leave. The council cannot solve the problem of falling rolls by closing Carlton.

MICK FARRANT
Former Chair of Governors, Carlton school