THE veteran leader of Southampton City Council last night survived a shock vote of no confidence in a row over one of the biggest decisions taken in the history of the city's education system.

Councillor Alec Samuels faced an exit from office just 63 days after his party was voted into power by a rogue Liberal Democrat councillor, who again came to his aid.

The Tories held on to power by a total of 20 votes to Labour's 17, with most Liberal Democrats abstaining.

Labour leader Councillor June Bridle brought forward a motion to remove Cllr Samuels to save two new secondary schools from an "appalling" decision to turn them into academies run by a Christian education organisation.

But a vote of no confidence was carried against the Cabinet member for education, Councillor Peter Baillie.

Last night Tories remained defiant and insisted he would remain as education boss.

Less than two months after coming to power Cllr Baillie recommended the closure of Millbrook Community School, Oaklands Community School, Grove Park business and Enterprise College and Woolston School Language College.

He selected Oasis Community Learning to run two replacement Academies over a rival bid by the Southampton Education Trust, a consortium of the city's universities, leading businesses, and higher education colleges.

It came as a shock to many teachers, parents, governors, college principals and opposition councillors, who supported the bid.

Proposing no confidence in Cllr Baillie, former Lib Dem council leader Councillor Adrian Vinson said The Tory had made the worst decision in the history of the unitary authority, which was formed ten years ago.

He said it meant creating isolated centres of excellence at the expense of other schools.

Cllr Vinson said it was throwing away a unique opportunity to choose a bid made up of local institutions with education expertise and business clout that fitted Southampton like a glove.

He accused Cllr Baillie of lacking a grasp of the city's education system and neglecting its long-term interests.

Cllr Samuels insisted Cllr Baillie made the right decision.