Election '97: Row rages over opting-out leaflet
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A row broke out yesterday over a newsletter urging parents of 75,000 children in opted-out schools to vote for pro-opting- out election candidates.
A leaflet produced by PASS, a group representing parents of children in grant-maintained schools, says only the Conservatives plan to retain GM status if re-elected, then asks readers to vote to ensure the schools remain unchanged.
PASS, also known as the Grant Maintained Schools Parents' Association, came under fire for "brazenly" encouraging parents to vote Conservative.
Local Schools Information, a pro-local authority schools advisory body, also said heads and governors of GM schools could be breaking the law if they used pupils to distribute the newsletter.
PASS, which defines itself as a strictly non-political body, denied it was promoting one party and insisted it wanted parents to challenge all candidates over their views on opting out.
The PASS newsletter, called PassMark, is headlined "The vital choice you face about your child's future". It lists the achievements of grant- maintained schools, and claims they have failed only in getting all political parties to agree about them. "We are shortly to have a General Election and, sadly, the future of your child's school may be at stake".
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments