We spent an excellent Saturday morning campaigning to keep Knowle Manor open outside Morley Town Hall. We had a very positive response and spoke to one of the workers at Knowle Manor as well as the daughter of the oldest resident there.
People were raising their concerns following the announcements of the financial problems facing Southern Cross Private Care provider (which has homes in Leeds) and the outrage they felt at the abuse of youngsters with learning difficulties at a private run hospital and home in Bristol.
People were queuing up to sign our petition and many promised to turn up at next weeks rally on Saturday 11th June at 11am in front of Morley Town Hall. We have lined up several speakers to speak up for the retention of the Knowle Manor.
Further analysis shows that Council Care Homes in inner city wards - that is those in Labour areas - are to be retained despite having lower care ratings than Knowle Manor has. Those of you with a cynical attitude may sense some political chicanery and I have to agree.
And what about the Labour Party? Were they campaigning hard to save Knowle Manor by collecting signatures on a petition - or building support for our rally! Nothing of the sort. They were campaigning but campaigning to save Ed Balls MP as they stuffed envelopes for yet another mail out to an unwilling audience.
The Morley Borough Independents have formally requested that this closure proposal should be withdrawn. A resolution will also be put to the new Full Council meeting which will call on the whole programme of closures across Leeds to be withdrawn following the Southern Cross and Panorama revelations. Lets hope the present Labour controlled Leeds City Council listen!
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