Tuition Fees - a message from Simon (London Liberal Democrats)

London Liberal Democrats <info@libdems4london.org.uk>

Tuition Fees - a message from Simon

December 10, 2010 12:09 PM
Originally published by Simon Hughes MP

Yesterday I abstained from the vote to raise the cap on higher education fees.

The last few weeks have been extraordinarily difficult for all Liberal Democrats both locally and nationally. I am sure that whatever the decision each of my colleagues came to, it has not been easy.

Now that a decision has been taken in Parliament our party needs to come together. We must continue implementing our programme of government set out in the coalition agreement. Much of this programme contains many policies important for Liberal Democrats and for our country.

I decided that if I had voted against the government and all Liberal Democrat ministers today I could have undermined the coalition and our leadership, both of which I continue to support strongly.

Because of this, despite my long and continuing opposition to tuition fees, I chose to register that opposition in the way permitted by the coalition agreement, by abstaining from both votes.

As we now start to develop policies for people in further and higher education policy we need to be much better in engaging young people in our political process and taking on board their concerns. There are many issues that still need to be addressed before the details of higher education policy are agreed. It is crucial that students and young people participate in shaping this policy.