MARK DEMPSEY: A university in Swindon is the missing link in education provision

A university is a crucial part of building a better future for Swindon: it is vital to unlock the talents of local people, open the door of opportunity and drive the economic regeneration of Swindon.

That’s why it is a central part of my Positive Plan for a Better Swindon.

Swindon is the largest town in the country without a university, and our town is among the worst 10 per cent of local authorities in England for participation in Higher Education at 18.

I speak to so many young people who would love to go to University but cannot afford the costs of moving to another town; families who would love their children or grandchildren to have the chance to get a degree but feel sad they cannot get that opportunity in Swindon; and business leaders that tell me a university is crucial to the economic future of our town.

I am proud to reaffirm my commitment to a University for Swindon and show our ambition for Swindon.  If I become the MP for North Swindon I will be pressing the Government and neighbouring universities to make our plans a reality.  Our current MPs have failed to make any meaningful progress and it is unclear whether they even support a university for the town. I  am calling on Swindon’s MP’s to back my campaign for a University and work with me to make it a reality.

Bringing a university to Swindon will be hard but rather than waiting for it to happen, we have to make it happen.

First we need to lay the foundations for a university by establishing a Higher Education Centre for our town.  This would be one building where Higher Education would be concentrated – a university campus for Swindon.  In my view that centre should be at North Star or in the town centre to help kick start town centre regeneration, and form the starting point for a full university.

Second we need to show a clear commitment to a university.  Along with my colleagues in Swindon Labour, I am proud to reaffirm my commitment to a university for Swindon.  In contrast I was very disappointed that the Tory Group recently failed to reaffirm their commitment to a University.  I think this is why in the past they have let the opportunity for a university to slip through their fingers.

Finally we should work together to make it happen. If I am elected as the MP for North Swindon, I will pressing Government ministers for their support for expanding Higher Education in Swindon. I am proud to show the people of Swindon and businesses in our town that I understand their aspiration for a better Swindon.

A university for Swindon would transform people’s lives, and transform the future of our town.  And so that’s why we must show real commitment, take real action, and work together to lay the foundations for this important missing link in our town.

Mark Dempsey