Labour’s New School Project Sparks Controversy Over Claims It Was Already Greenlit by The Conservatives

Labour MP Jonathan Brash under fire for claims he 'misled' his constituents over the green light to a school rebuilding project which had already been approved by the previous Conservative Government.

4th November 2024

Hartlepool Labour MP Jonathan Brash is said to be coming under fire for allegedly misleading the public about Labour’s promise to build a new primary school in Hartlepool.

Last week, Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash announced that Labour would be investing millions into Hartlepool, one major project being the rebuilding of St. Helen's Primary School on Hartlepool’s Headland. However, the announcement quickly sparked backlash from opposition council members, who claim this project had already been approved nearly two years ago under the Conservative-led Hartlepool Borough Council and the previous Conservative government.

The Hartlepool Conservatives were quick to highlight that Labours Pledge for the school had already been green lit by the previous Conservative Government

Opposition councilors have accused Brash of “pulling the wool over the eyes” of his constituents, suggesting that he is taking credit for a plan that was already in motion. An article from a prominent construction publication further supports this claim, revealing that nearly 240 schools across the country, including St. Helen's, had secured funding commitments for rebuilding or refurbishment under the prior government’s plans.

Mike Young, the leader of Hartlepool Conservatives, took to social media to condemn Brash’s announcement, accusing the Labour MP of "deceiving Hartlepool once again." Young claimed that Labour is attempting to claim credit for a project already secured by the previous administration, directing followers to a construction news source publication which confirmed St. Helen's Primary was included in the Conservative government's school rebuilding initiative.

A litany of Broken Promises, & now it seems Labours trying to re-write history !

Whilst claiming they'd 'confirmed' the funding for the rebuilding of the town school, its claimed the funding was previously agreed by the Conservatives, with Labour being accused of attempting to re-write history.

Labour's currently facing a wave of criticism over alleged “broken promises” since coming into power. In addition to the school funding controversy, Labour's said to be coming under fire for cuts to winter fuel payments—a decision that's reportedly prompted a judicial review. This legal challenge could force the government into an embarrassing U-turn, adding to the public’s growing skepticism of Labour in government, with the cracks in Labour’s early days of leadership beginning to show, and in Hartlepool, faith in the Labour-controlled Borough Council appearing to be dwindling, as Reform UK, despite its apparent 'split' over political prisoner Tommy Robinson, appears to be gaining considerable support among disillusioned town voters, with critics claiming Labours simply a repackaging old Conservative plans & attempting to pass them off as their own.