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Vaizey and Hodge clash over library future

09.02.10 | Benedicte Page

The war of words between culture minister Margaret Hodge and her Tory shadow Ed Vaizey has intensified, following Vaizey's speech on libaries to the Society of Bookmen last week.

In his speech, Vaizey said it was "outrageous and offensive to everyone who ever cared about books and reading" for Hodge to raise the question of whether libraries should remain a statutory local authority service, in the latest consultation document for the Library Modernisation Review, titled "Empower, Inform, Enrich". "This proposal would put the future of every public library in the country under threat," Vaizey said.

But Hodge has now hit back, accusing her Tory counterpart of misleading the public. She said: "It's pathetic that the only contribution Ed Vaizey can make to an important review is to mislead people. We have consulted on how to improve the regulations. We have absolutely no plans to change the requirements for local authorities to provide libraries. The consultation document looks at all the issues around libraries - including statutory obligations - as the public would expect. This is about improving the statutory framework."

Question 20 of the consultation asks if it is important that libraries remain a statutory obligation for local authorities.

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By Tim Coates

Just because Margaret Hodge and the DCMS wrote down "should libraries remain a statutory obligation of councils?" doesn't mean that they intended anyone to take this as a question. That is not how the DCMS uses language at all. They never say what they mean. Their role is to say things that don't mean anything. As for misleading people... well! This story of this review (now nearly into its third year) would be a best seller. And who are their 'strategic advisers?' : Delay: The Department of Libraries and Archives.

Tue, 09/02/2010 - 19:55
By Alan Gibbons

We should remember also that there is a significant context for this debate. When Sue Charteris' report scuppered Wirral council's attempt to cut eleven of its libraries, the council leader, Labour councillor Steve Foulkes immediately hit out at the 1964 Act. Some local authority politicians would dearly love to see it go because it gives at least some protection to libraries. We must defend it.

Tue, 09/02/2010 - 21:42

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