'My duty to vote on Guernsey schools,' says Alderney rep

VOTES by Alderney's two representatives saved a threatened school.

If in the States last week Richard Willmott and Bill Walden had backed Education, the proposal to close St Sampson's Infants would have been passed.

But they supported the school, which survived as the closure motion was lost by a single vote.

The Alderney reps' role in the decision - both voted to keep both St Sampson's and St Andrew's Primary open - drew some criticism from Guernsey deputies.

But it was criticism that Mr Walden (pictured) was quick to reject. It was both his right and his job to vote, he said.

'Education is a Bailiwick-wide service and I am a full member of the States,' he said.

'Many years ago it was decided that Alderney representatives were full members. I think there is no doubt over whether we should have voted.'

He said he had based his decision on close inspection of the Education Department's report and the arguments made during debate.