The Oldham Liberal Democrats have backed calls from students and teaching unions that the Education Secretary Gavin Williamson must go for failing thousands of A-level students across the country, many thousands in Oldham alone, over the examinations’ farrago.

Liberal Democrat Council Group Leader, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, said:  “The Secretary of State Gavin Williamson gets a U unclassified grade from us for his complete inability to perform in his job role, and by letting our young people down so badly.  Thanks to his inept indecision, the grades of students were judged by an impersonal computer algorithm rather than assessed by the teachers that they know and trust.”

“Under intense pressure from students, parents, teaching professionals, politicians from all parties, and the media, common-sense has finally prevailed and this Conservative Government has finally done the right thing and done a U-turn.  But it has taken too long and was done begrudgingly.”

Councillor Sykes added:  “Not only has the incompetence of this government cheated our youngsters of the grades that were rightfully theirs, but the indecision has meant that now many students have been deprived of places at our top universities.  Instead of his crocodile tears and drinking tea on the front pages of today’s newspapers, Gavin Williamson should now do the honourable thing and resign”.

Can I take this opportunity to say well done to all those last week and this week on your exam results!