Bradford councillor’s anger over decision to hold voting at scene of Manningham stand-off

Lessons were disturbed by Norman Scarth, who was standing for his own Anti-Crime Party, at Green Lane Primary School, Manningham, which had remained open to pupils on polling day.

Following the stand-off, Bradford Council was asked to reconsider using the school at last year’s European elections, and instead agreed to use the nearby Front Line Initiative building in Green Lane.

Now Councillor Qasim Khan, who runs a shop next to the would-be polling station, is angry that the Council has decided to switch back to using the school, as this time it would be forced to close for the day, affecting 650 pupils.

Coun Khan (Lib-Dem, Manningham) said: “There were no objections when Front Line Initiative was used for the European election in 2009. There is plenty of room there and full disabled access. The school is cramped, and disabled access requires the installation of temporary ramps.

“This is also about the education of our children. If the polling station is in the school, then the school closes for the day. This is bad for the children’s education, and as the chairman of governors, I support what is best for the school and the pupils.

“Front Line Initiative is just over the road. Parents dropping their children off at school can go to vote at the same time, so everyone wins. The children don’t miss out on school and the parents get to vote in a large, convenient building.

“I am taking the matter up with electoral services at the Council because the decision to use the school is a bad one and should be reversed.”

Coun Khan added that if those who had complained were concerned about his shop being next door to the polling station, then it was not an issue as he had sold the business, and would be vacating the premises before the local elections on May 6. In addition, his seat is not up for election.

Bradford Council was unable to comment.