PM’s mother sad as her child centre role is axed
DAVID Cameron’s mother said last night she was “very sad” at a Conservative council’s decision to close a children’s centre where she volunteers.
Mary Cameron’s comment comes shortly after she signed a petition against the closure of children’s centres in Oxfordshire, including some in the Prime Minister’s Witney constituency.
Mr Cameron intends to stand for re- election as MP for Witney in the general election set for 2020, despite saying he will step down as Tory leader.
Following George Osborne’s spending review in November, councils in England are losing 24 per cent of their funding from central government by 2020, after inflation is taken into account.
They have already suffered a 40 per cent cut between 2010 and 2015. Many are having to cut services.
West Berkshire Council has ruled that Chieveley and Area Children’s Centre, where the Prime Minister’s mother helps out, will shut this month.
Mrs Cameron said: “I am very sad that it is being closed down but if there’s not enough money to pay for it things have to go.
“I enjoy it very much. I have been going there for a year and drive families around.”
Asked if she has spoken to Mr Cameron about the closures, she replied: “No because I don’t interfere.”
The council said: “We will stop using four children’s centres, but our services will still be available in community locations.”