Having campaigned against any increase in university tuition fess, and with every sitting Lib Dem MP having signed personal pledges to that effect, today’s publication of the Browne report could mark the first major challenge to the ConDem coalition. Lord Browne’s review calls for a lifting of the cap for student fees such that universities would charge anything upwards of £7000 a year. Average student debt could rise to £32,000, but with living costs included this figure could wind up to be nearer the 80k mark.
Not surprisingly students themselves aren’t shy in reminding Clegg & Co. of their commitments and have launched a campaign to try and hold the Lib Dems to account. Speaking prior to today’s Browne Report NUS President Aaron Porter said:
“Liberal Democrat candidates won respect and votes by signing our pledge to vote against higher fees and students will hold them to it. Graduates might have to contribute more overall, but that must not involve higher student debt on graduation or the cap on fees coming off, as we suspect the Browne review will recommend.”
So, the question is whether the Lib Dems will sell their student supporters down the river or bow to the Bullingdon boys and reinstate higher education as a privilege for the privileged…
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/8054053/Lib-Dem-ministers-refuse-to-back-higher-student-fees.html
http://www.nus.org.uk/en/News/News/Students-campaign-to-hold-Lib-Dems-to-fees-pledge-goes-viral/