Disabled Conservative MP urges government to keep special schools

29th June 2010

Paul Maynard - disabled Conservative MP for Blackpool North and Cleveleys, who has cerebral palsy - has said he wants to inspire other disabled people to enter into politics.

Speaking to the Independent, Mr Maynard called on the government to keep special schools as it considers overhauling the education system, noting that he attended such a facility where he received both physiotherapy and speech therapy.

He also stated that his condition - which includes epilepsy - was not a problem until just before election day, when he was faced with derogatory comments following a TV interview.

"I just hope that simply by my being here, in the House of Commons, people who may be nervous about getting into politics are not put off by any fear of what might happen during the campaign," he remarked.

Mr Maynard's observations follow those of MP for Worcester Robin Walker, who recently stated that employment services are not offering enough support to disabled employees who want to work, the Worcester Standard reported.

According to the Office for National Statistics, as of September 2009, 9,700 people in the region were considered economically inactive, with 7,200 claiming joblessness benefits.

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