AN MP has defended himself against a furious backlash from teachers after he told them they were lucky to have secure jobs.

Two teaching unions are planning strike action and a Forest teacher wrote to New Forest West MP Desmond Swayne asking for support.

But former teacher Mr Swayne wrote back to say he did not agree with striking, and that action “strikes at the very heart of the concept that the teacher exists for the advancement of the pupil”.

His short email reply has been branded rude, but he told the Journal: “I wasn’t rude – blunt, certainly; short and to the point, that too; controversial, perhaps.”

He added: “What is rather worrying about the email responses my curt reply has generated, is that they do not attempt to make an argument at all, instead they go for personal abuse, which I think is to be deprecated in professionals to whom we entrust the education of our children.”

In his reply to the teacher Mr Swayne wrote: “As the departing financial secretary said in 2010, ‘there’s no money left’. Times are hard, but you have a job and many don’t.”

Mr Swayne told the Journal: “I believe that you sacrifice your claim to be a professional if you ‘down tools’ and ‘walk out’ in the manner of an unskilled labourer without responsibility.”

He added: “I stand by what I have said. I have the highest respect for teachers. I was one once. I paid into the teachers’ pension scheme for the best part of ten years.

“I am certain that, notwithstanding the advantage of school holidays, I have never had to work harder, or indeed, to take greater responsibility, than when I was a teacher.”

He also said: “It is true, my emails are short and sometimes sharp. I respond to some 80 emails from constituents per day, often late at night, so I have to be brief.

“If you want a longer more considered reply, send me a letter. I will then dictate a response through the moderating influence of my secretary.”

A spokesman for The Burgate School said: “We do not have a particularly strong stance on this at The Burgate because we do not have any designated union reps.

“However, individual members of staff are free to act according to their own conscience within the guidelines provided by their national and regional associations. At present none have indicated what their intentions are.”

Ringwood mayor Stephen Rippon-Swayne said: “I understand the grievances of teachers. The way they do their jobs is a delight to see.

“However, we are in difficult times and the weapon of strike action is a divisive one.

“All of us in the private sector have had repercussions from the economic situation. For example, my hourly rate frozen since 2007.

“Negotiations around the table and the exchange of information is by far the best way forward. Strike action would be extremely regrettable for both children and parents.”

Fordingbridge mayor Malcolm Connolly said: “I think everybody values the tremendous work teachers do.

“However, we are living in difficult times and, while teachers and the public are not responsible for the crisis, we all have to play our part in the recovery.

“Pension changes and small salary increases are all part of the recovery plan. I am sure that the country would respect teachers not to take action at this time.”