Lib Dems reject Clegg stand on tuition fees

Published: 3 December, 2010
by PETER GRUNER

DEFIANT Lib Dems in Islington – including many councillors – have delivered a massive snub to their national party leader, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, over plans to increase students’ tuition fees.

More than 100 members of the local party, at their annual meeting at Islington town hall on Tuesday night, called for a nationwide grassroots cam­paign against the fees.

They urged Mr Clegg to change his mind and vote against the increases when Parliament debates the issue.

Mildmay Lib Dem councillor Rhodri Jamieson-Ball revealed he had signed a petition by 100 former parliamentary candidates nationwide, warning that increasing fees from £3,000 annually to £9,000 would “put the party back into the political wilderness”. He stood for the Lib Dems in Islington North at the general election last May.

Cllr Jamieson-Ball said: “The petition urges Mr Clegg and Business Secretary Vince Cable to uphold the party’s integrity and values by voting against the increases.” Other Lib Dem members warned that the tuition fees issue could seriously damage the party, on a scale similar to that suffered by Labour among middle-class voters over the Iraq war.

Guest speaker at the meeting was Lib Dem MP Tim Farron, the president of the party who has promised to vote in Parliament against plans to increase fees.

Members voted by a large majority to write to Mr Clegg and Mr Cable to express their opposition to the increases. 

They called on Lib Dem MPs to “vote against any increase in tuition fees in accordance with manifesto commitments and election pledges” or abstain as set out in the Coalition Agreement.

They urged Islington Lib Dem conference representatives to bear these matters in mind when voting at regional or national conferences.

The seeds of rebellion were sown locally by Hillrise ward Lib Dem councillor Greg Foxsmith in an exclusive Tribune interview two weeks ago when he accused Mr Clegg of “betrayal” over the fees issue.

Cllr Foxsmith said: “I’m happy we now have a collective voice. Previously, it looked like I was breaking ranks with the party.”

A former environment chief in the previous Lib Dem council, Cllr Foxsmith condemned Mr Clegg for changing his mind over the fees now that he is in a Coalition government with the Conservatives.

A human rights lawyer and father of two, Cllr Foxsmith said: “Labour breached so many of their commitments over the years. It was one of the reasons why I and others stopped supporting them. 

“I expect, in fact I demand, a higher standard from the Lib Dem leadership.”