MP Condemned over broken promise

9.00.00pm GMT Sun 8th Feb 2004

"Top-up fees can still be stopped", say LibDems

Local MP Brian White has been attacked by the Liberal Democrats for breaking a clear election promise to the people of Milton Keynes by voting in favour of student top-up fees.

Commenting following the House of Commons vote on the Government's Higher Education Bill, North East Milton Keynes Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson Jane Carr said:

"Two and a half years ago Brian White was elected on an election manifesto specifically opposed to top-up fees. Now he has turned round and voted for them!"

"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 students. Having benefited from free universities themselves, Government ministers are now pulling up the ladder of opportunity behind them."

"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 to oppose Top-Up Fees. If just 3 more had joined us this unfair and ill-judged Bill would have been defeated."

"Having passed its second reading the Bill is now almost certain to become law. However top-up fees will not be introduced until 2006 - after the next general election. That means that if the Liberal Democrats can defeat Brian White and just 2 other Labour MPs at the next election this proposal can still be reversed."

"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."

What Labour themselves say:

Top-up fees are "a really bad idea. [They would create] real two-tier universities and the rich would pay extra fees and go to the classy, elitist universities, rather like the US." (Clare Short MP, The Independent, 18/11/02)

"The Labour party has no business putting obstacles in the way of working class youngsters going on the very best courses if they can pass the exams and have the ability." (Nick Brown MP, 27/09/03)

"Raising the price of intellectual aspiration will only reinforce its perception as a luxury of the few, rather than the right of all.' (Ian Gibson MP, 16/09/03)

"What we are doing here is setting up two tiers of universities" (Jeremy Corbyn MP, The Guardian 26/01/04)