There seems to be a fundamental misapprehension that a majority parents actually oppose the merger. That, to me, is far from clear.

Many will be familiar in local politics with the ability of a vocal and well organised action group to legitimately make their case. This seems to be another example of this happening again.

To give credit where it is due, the Liberal Democrats succeeded at using the issue to motivate the ward electorate using a protest vote to deliver themselves councillors supporting that point of view. There is no denying that it worked which is not surprising when the majority of the electorate do not bother to make their feelings known even when there is an emotive issue about which will affect them. When there is a low general turn out it is possible to upset the applecart and that is what has happened here.

There is an organised group of parents and I venture to say that do in fact represent the main body of opinion and that as a steering group are committed to building a successful new school for all concerned. I do not think they deserve to be written off so quickly. The decision to do so was taken a little over a year ago, with a legal consultation which will certainly fail on its most recent appeal if the governing party have the wherewithal to fight it…

Having said this I have two concerns. It seems that the squeaky wheel is getting the grease and I am left wondering why reporting on such an important matter does not represent the main body of opinion which the consultation reflected, unless we are to believe that we no longer have an independent judiciary. The second point is that the rest of this city's electorate needs to think long and hard about elections and whether their votes can make a difference. The lesson here for future silent majorities is that it does.

As for the minister making up his mind before hand you are probably right as the decision was taken with legal due process over a year ago taking into account the needs of the needs of the entire city.