WITH a number of Swindon children’s centres set to close in a few weeks, the political battle over their future rumbles on.

Several big-hitters within the Labour Party have come out in support of a campaign to keep them open until the General Election, but the Conservatives have slammed the move, calling it electioneering using an important issue.

Last year the council made the decision to close seven centres in a bid to save £770,000.

The centres will be closed by the end of the month but Anne Snelgrove, Labour’s candidate for South Swindon, wants them kept open.

In an open letter to the council leader she argued that if Labour comes to power in May then it would offer more free childcare hours and Swindon would not benefit if the centres were shut.

Last week deputy leader of the party Harriet Harman called for them to be kept open and now Shadow Education Secretary Tristram Hunt has weighed into the debate.

He said: “Sure Start was one of the greatest achievements of the last Labour government, but under the Tories there are hundreds fewer while others have reduced services and opening hours. We’re going to put the lights back on, get the kids back in and restore the founding purpose of Sure Start. We’ll be campaigning to ensure that families in Swindon are given access to Sure Start services, services that they deserve.”

Mrs Snelgrove said: “I am pleased that Tristram has decided to back our campaign; it demonstrates how important this issue is to mums and dads in Swindon.”

Swindon Borough Council Leader David Renard (Con, Haydon Wick) has responded angrily to the campaign, accusing Labour of playing politics and questioning why there were no Labour objections when the budget was set earlier this month.

In an open letter responding to Mrs Snelgrove, he said: “I acknowledge receipt of your letter today and repudiate your crude attempt to turn children into partisan footballs. Shame on you. I am taking the unusual step of responding to your correspondence about a council decision through the media because this is how you chose to make the case in the first place.

“Why did you leave it until after the council had made its decision to write to me?

“According to your letter, your national party policy announcement was at the beginning of February, the council’s budget meeting was on February 23, but your letter to me was dated February 27 and I only received it after you had been to the press.

“What does it tell the people of South Swindon that they have a candidate who can only put pen to paper after the event?

“Swindon deserves better than you.”

Coun Renard has said the decision will not be reversed at this late stage. Seven centres are to close with two being replaced by multi-generational centres.