K3 Party Disbands and Joins Lib Dems

6.08.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 1st Apr 2005

Campaigners for three tier education in Tynedale were celebrating today as the two parties campaigning for its retention joined forces. In a dramatic move the newly formed K3 party for Northumberland, which was formed to keep three tier education, decided to disband and its members have joined the Liberal Democrats.

Cllr Neil Bradbury welcomes ex-K3 leader to the Liberal Democrats

At a special press conference the ex - leader of K3, John Harrison said, "K3 candidates standing against the Liberal Democrats in the County Council elections in May would only split the 3-tier vote.Now that the Liberal Democrats are providing the choice we desired, our objective has been reached". The move came after K3 members read the Liberal Democrats Northumberland County Manifesto, Towards a Better Future, which advocates that change to two tier systems should only be done if parents in that area want it. It also states that Northumberland should not be looked at as a whole but the needs of each area should be taken into account. Prudhoe Councillor Neil Bradbury welcomed the news saying, "Now people have a simple choice at the election. If they believe that two tier education should be imposed no matter what, then they should vote Labour or Conservative. If they believe that we shouldn't move unless local people want to then they should vote Liberal Democrat".

"With all surveys showing an overwhelming amount of parents against change, the message in Prudhoe is clear - we should put a stop to these wasteful plans now".