MP Rowen takes candidate Danczuk to task over PM questions criticism

Rochdale Liberal Democrat MP Paul Rowen has taken Labour Parliamentary Candidate Simon Danczuk to task following Mr Danczuk's attack on Mr Rowen's performance at Tony Blair's final Prime Minister's questions.

Mr Rowen asked the outgoing Prime Minister Tony Blair: "After 10 years of a Labour Government, why is the educational achievement of white British boys still so low?"

The question came following a report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation that showed that: "White British boys are the most persistent low educational achievers."

Answering Mr Danczuk's criticism Mr Rowen said: "I was a teacher for 28 years and was raising a serious issue with the outgoing Prime Minister. To be accused of playing party politics is completely incorrect. We need a serious debate about a serious problem and Labour's Parliamentary Candidate is deluding himself if he doesn't think there is a problem. Levels of attainment are not rising fast enough in the Borough - this is coupled with lack of progress of young people going to University and Higher education. Senior politicians from all parties recognise that there is a significant problem, only today Alan Johnson, the current Education Secretary and David Davies from the Conservatives were discussing this very issue."

The Prime Minister, refused to get drawn into answering the question.

Mr Rowen said: "This is a key issue across the country and the fact that such a respected organisation like the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has raised it should ring alarm bells in this Labour Government. I am concerned that Mr Blair effectively side-stepped the question that is of upmost importance. Whilst acknowledging that more investment has gone into education, this Government should acknowledge their weaknesses.

"In the Rochdale Constituency, we have seen an improvements under the Lib Dem led administration on the Council and are striving to improve education at all levels. We must look at the findings of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and ensure that all pupils have the same opportunities across the Borough. We need to address for example average class sizes in Rochdale that have gone up in secondary schools since Labour came to power. All we seem to see these days is a procession of headline grabbing gimmicks.

"This Government should look at sustained improvement and investment across all levels of education and tackle the inequalities that exist in the education system that Mr Blair himself acknowledged in answer to my question.

"The worrying thing is that many pupils in areas like Kirkholt, Meanwood and Turfhill, especially boys, are leaving without any qualifications. As someone who was brought up on Kirkholt and lives nearby - I know many of the problems in areas like this."