On my way home from work, I was checking out this evenings news on the BBC website and I came across “Business Secretary Vince Cable will back a rise in tuition fees in next week's crucial Commons vote...”
Surprise surprise!
Let us go back to the time around the General Election, May 2010 - Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats made a promise to campaign against any increase in tuition fees, as well as make university education free. It was a promise that won him votes, the majority of which, who would be affected by this promise.
So, what happened?
Well, the Coalition Government was formed with the Conservatives and things changed. This was bound to anger students and it certainly has. Over the past few weeks, students from all over have been protesting against education cuts and the rise in tuition fees to a ridiculous £6000 or even £9000 for some.
Well, the Coalition Government was formed with the Conservatives and things changed. This was bound to anger students and it certainly has. Over the past few weeks, students from all over have been protesting against education cuts and the rise in tuition fees to a ridiculous £6000 or even £9000 for some.
The election candidates' petition, hosted on Lib Dem candidate Derek Deedman's website, said: "During the general election campaign many of our MPs (and now government ministers) signed a pledge with the National Union of Students that they would vote against any tuition fee rises during the course of the next Parliament.
"The wording of this pledge clearly indicated that this would be unconditional; regardless of whether the party was in government or in opposition.
"The party has been very clear for many years about its view on tuition fees and that we feel they should be abolished." (BBC News)
Before the Election, this pledge was the main basis of the Lib Dem Manifesto – and many people, especially students put their trust in them and thus voted in their favour.
What are they supposed to think now?
Students obviously feel betrayed and the fact that many believe that politics play a huge part in terms of gathering the most votes that can be based on false promises does not help the situation. It has always been something which has been on my mind. Throughout University, there was a constant debate on my course that, although these politicians are fighting to better our economy, there are always other factors that are considered in the decision-making process including their own personal agenda and popularity.
Students obviously feel betrayed and the fact that many believe that politics play a huge part in terms of gathering the most votes that can be based on false promises does not help the situation. It has always been something which has been on my mind. Throughout University, there was a constant debate on my course that, although these politicians are fighting to better our economy, there are always other factors that are considered in the decision-making process including their own personal agenda and popularity.
The argument here is that sometimes politicians have to go back on their word and break promises for the good of our economy and in this case, they have done exactly that after assessing the true situation concluding that ‘the books need to be balanced.’ Will it be good for us?
David Cameron admitted that the Coalition’s decision to increase tuition fees by thousands of pounds will apparently keep the cost to foreign students down when they study in Britain. He also said raising tuition fees will mean ''two things”:
“It will make sure our universities are well funded ...and we won't go on increasing so fast the fees for overseas students.”
“It will make sure our universities are well funded ...and we won't go on increasing so fast the fees for overseas students.”
This is clearly not the end. Students and young people will continue to fight– we all will. Although these proposed education cuts are needed, (so they say), I think it is outrageous, as do many. Being a recent graduate myself, I know of the burden these fees will cause and it is frightening that one can encounter so much debt well before they have even worked a day since graduating. This increase is just going to deter many from going to University, especially those from less privileged backgrounds. How is this helping our future generations, the leaders of tomorrow?
The most important point is that yes, our present Government, a Coalition, includes Conservatives who have always been for these increases and thus, there has to be some sort of compromise; however, where is the compromise? There is no meet in the middle about this. Instead, this is a drastic change, which does not consider how much of an impact these increases will have on the majority.
There are many sides to this story, but we can only hope that they come to their senses. There will be a vote on 9th December and this will be a crucial assessment for the Coalition. The Lib Dems are under a lot of pressure after their pledge to oppose against the increase in fees before the election.
The National Union of Students have said they will hold a "day of action" on Wednesday 8 December, on the eve of the Commons vote.
UNITE AND FIGHT!
STOP THE CUTS!
Much love,
Anokhi
In all the bits and bobs of what I've read about this issue, this is the first time I've read that part of the reason is to keep overseas students fees down. This is really interesting stuff and am surprised it hasn't been looked at more closely. Good stuff!
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