Government Shamed by Vote for Top-Up Fees

6.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 28th Jan 2004

Following last night's House of Commons vote on the Government's Higher Education Bill, Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole said:

"Even Labour MPs say that the Government's proposals will create a two-tier higher education system, with the best universities filled mostly with the richest students1. Having benefited from free universities themselves, Government ministers are now pulling up the ladder of opportunity behind them."

Annette Brooke met students who had travelled from as far as Lancaster University to lobby MPs on the unfairness of the policy. Most were concerned about future generations being saddled with large amounts of debt and with the policy of Top Up Fees which will generate a 'market' in university education.

NO COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATIVE POLICY

At least one Labour MP said his vote for the Government policy was influenced by the lack of policy from the Conservative Party. Many MPs were opposed to Top Up Fees and the Bill overall, but could not vote with the Conservative Party which has so far not produced any sensible or thought out alternative policy.

"Only the Liberal Democrats can be relied upon to oppose top-up fees. The Liberal Democrats are the only Party to have come up with a viable, sensible and costed alternative to this disgraceful policy."2

LABOUR GOVERNMENT RENEGES ON ITS MANIFESTO PROMISE

Having passed its second reading the Bill is now almost certain to become law, as the Committee stage is unlikely to oppose many flawed aspects of the Bill. However top-up fees will not be introduced until 2006 - after the next general election.

"No wonder so many people feel betrayed by Labour when they let them down and break their promises as blatantly as this."

"71 Labour MPs had the courage to stand by the policy they were elected on and join the Liberal Democrats in the voting lobby to oppose the Bill. If just 3 more had joined us this unfair and ill-judged Bill would have been defeated."

Two and a half years ago Labour MPs were elected on an election manifesto specifically opposed to top-up fees3. Now many of them have turned round and voted for them."