Student fees Bill must be stopped, say Lib Dems
January 8, 2004 12:00 AM
Commenting on today's publication of the Government's Bill to introduce top-up fees for students, Bristol West Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate Stephen Williams said:
"This Bill must be defeated. The Government will make access to higher education dependent on the ability to pay, when it should be on the ability to learn."
"These plans are likely to mean that many of Bristol's brightest youngsters will no longer be able to afford a university education. It makes a mockery of the Government's claim to be widening opportunities. It will also make it harder for Bristol University to attract students from comprehensive schools and under-privileged parts of the country."
"As a justification for fees the government claims that graduates earn a substantial salary premium over the lifetime of their careers. This is nonsense as many will be taking up socially very valuable, but relatively poorly paid, jobs such as teachers and junior NHS staff. The Lib Dems believe that we should ask those who really are earning super salaries to pay a little more through a 50p tax rate on their earnings over £100,000 each year. This would raise enough to scrap all tuition fees and reintroduce grants of up to £2,000 for students from low income backgrounds. Surely this would be a fairer way forward than imposing further debt from fees on all graduates?"
Before publication of the Bill, Stephen Williams had called upon Bristol West's Labour MP to vote against top up fees.
"Valerie Davey was elected in 2001 on a manifesto pledge not to introduce top-up fees. If she now votes for them she will be breaking a clear election promise made to the people of Bristol West."
Valerie Davey's reply to Stephen Williams letter of 9th December is shown below :
Dear Stephen,
Thank you for your letter. I am pleased to have this opportunity to set out my position on student fees and the war in Iraq. I'd be grateful if you did not misrepresent my views on your website.
My position is clear on both issues: Top Up Fees and the Iraq War.
Top Up Fees
The Labour government does not wish to ration higher education and offer life-changing opportunities to a few only. We want 50% of 18 - 30 year olds to have this opportunity. No-one should be denied a university place if they get the grades. Charles Kennedy is on record as saying; "Unlike the Government we would not set a target of 50%..." So presumably he is happy to debar some students from University even if they have the qualifications.
Further, Labour believes it is only fair that students should bear some of the cost of their tuition as they will benefit from increased salaries as graduates for the rest of their working lives.
I would support an increase in fees as a fair way of funding the University system while maximising student entry. Means tested concessions will mean that students from disadvantaged backgrounds will not pay full fees.
Abolishing tuition fees altogether would put an unfair burden on the taxpayer which will not be entirely lifted by the Lib Dems "magic tax" on the wealthy, which you claim will pay for everything.
What I am not yet convinced about are "variable fees", where some Universities will be able to charge more than others. I fear able students will be put off the Universities, and the courses that might best suit them, as they count the cost.
The government has new proposals to make in the New Year.
Iraq
On the Iraq War you have misunderstood the Parliamentary voting system. On the first vote on 18th March 2003 I voted against sending our armed forces to war. At the time the Bristol Evening Post called me a "Labour Rebel". They clearly had the right idea.
The confusion arises because the vote not to go to war was lost. A democratic decision had been reached. The motion was then put in the affirmative, and, as I accepted the decision but could not vote for war, I therefore abstained - as did other "anti-war rebels".
This does not amount to saying one thing in Bristol West and another in Westminster. There is no inconsistency - my position is clear.
I am happy to debate the merits of any issue, but inaccurate representations of my position, and slurs on my character, dignify neither you nor the party you represent.
I'll be grateful if you'll amend your website accordingly.
Yours sincerely,
Valerie Davey MP
Labour MP for Bristol West
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