Startling figures have revealed that ten Labour councillors in Bradford and 36 party activists have been disqualified as school governors over the past 18 months.

All the Labour Party members were disqualified for failing to turn up to governors' meetings for six months since September 1996.

The Liberal Democrat group on Bradford Council said the figures revealed the "true extent of Labour's commitment to schools in Bradford".

And they severely criticised elected Labour councillors for failing to show up while sitting in judgement on schools that will be forced to close under the reorganisation of education in the district.

Councillor Howard Middleton, the Lib Dem group whip, said: "These councillors have voted on the school review and claim that education is a priority for them. Yet they can't even manage to attend one meeting over six months.

"I am sure parents who are campaigning against the changes and the closures will be interested to know why so many of these Labour school governors did not go to any governors' meetings and why 10 Labour councillors have been disqualified."

During the same period there were 11 Conservative, including two councillors, and one Lib Dem disqualification under the six-month rule.

Education chairman Jim Flood said: "Labour has a much higher proportion of places to fill but all parties could do better.

"I don't think Bradford is alone in finding it difficult to fill these posts. Being a governor these days is time-consuming and quite a heavy responsibility but it can also be very rewarding and I would urge anyone interested in their community to think seriously about becoming a governor."

Labour councillors Barry Thorne and Dave Green, both leading members, accused the Lib Dems of resorting to "gutter politics".

Coun Green, chairman of the regeneration committee, was disqualified from being a governor at Woodroyd Middle but has since been reappointed.

"It is not a question of being disinterested. I missed those meetings simply because I had either child care responsibilities or previously organised council business," he said.

And Coun Thorne, chairman of the leisure committee, said he disqualified himself from Braithwaite Special School because he had started a new job and could no longer spare the time.

"This is just gutter politics. The Lib Dems should tackle the issues of policy rather than the circumstances of individual members."

John Andrew, the chairman of Bradford South Governors' Forum, said he knew of many Labour councillors who were extremely diligent governors but was surprised at the number who have been disqualified.

"A lot of councillors get elected to governing bodies when they don't really have the time so I have some sympathy with them," he said.

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