AMBITIOUS plans for a new Johnstone High School promised by Labour ahead of next month’s council elections have been written off as a ‘stunt’ by opposition candidates.

The Gazette exclusively revealed the party has vowed to build a multi-million pound replacement for Johnstone High if it defies expectation to retain control of Renfrewshire Council after the May 4 vote.

However, critics say even if Labour does remain in power – the cash doesn’t exist to bankroll the proposals.

Emma Rodden, who will contest the Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch ward for the Scottish National Party (SNP), labelled Labour’s priorities as “completely off.”

She said: "If money is available, and Labour have always claimed they are skint, then why did it take Labour so long to sort out the roof at Lochwinnoch Primary which collapsed?

“This is simply an election stunt by two Labour candidates who know they won’t have to deliver it as they will be sitting in opposition if they even get elected.”

Johnstone Community Council members had hoped to quiz the five administration councillors at their most recent meeting, however no Labour representatives showed up.

Chairman Ron Ewing said: “During debate at the community council meeting, the question was raised by several members whether the promise of a new school, some three weeks before the local council elections was purely coincidental, but unfortunately, this question could not be answered, as none of the five administration councillors attended the meeting.”

Members added that “nobody knew anything about this” and nobody was aware of any need for a new school.

Labour Councillor Derek Bibby said: “It is very disappointing that the local SNP is opposed to Labour’s plan for a new Johnstone High School.

“We need to provide local children with the best possible learning environment and they should be putting the needs of local pupils ahead of their obsession with independence.

“The SNP now need to be honest with the voters – are they completely abandoning the Renfrewshire school building programme or are they just opposed to a new Johnstone High?”

Cllr Bibby added that Labour has established a school building programme to ensure local children benefit from “the best possible learning environments.”

He said: “If Labour retain control of the council we will ensure the finance is in place to continue our ambitious school building programme starting with a new Johnstone High School.

“Many parents of Johnstone and the villages have responded positively to the prospect of a new school.

“The choice at this election is clear – a new Johnstone High with Labour or no new school with the SNP.”