Don't let the Lib Dems break their promise on fees! Demonstrate at Lib Dem HQ
National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts | 18.10.2010 17:06 | Education | Public sector cuts
Student activists will be protest outside Lib Dem Headquarters in London on Monday 25 October, to demand they keep their promise to oppose higher fees. Join us!
The National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts will be demonstrating at the Liberal Democrat headquarters in Westminster on Monday 25 October – to protest against their leaders’ betrayal of their promise to students on fees.
During the election, Nick Clegg said:
“The Liberal Democrats are different. Not only will we oppose any raising of the cap, we will scrap tuition fees for good, including for part-time students. We can’t do it ov...ernight, but we can start straight away with students in their first year – that way means anyone at university this autumn will have their debt cut by at least £3,000. Students can make the difference in countless seats in this election. Use your vote to block those unfair tuition fees and get them scrapped once and for all.”
It was always doubtful that the Lib Dem leaders would stick to opposing fees – particularly once they became partners in a slash-and-burn Tory government. Nor do we support their original alternative, a graduate tax. We want free education and living grants for all students – funded, as all services should be, at the expense of the rich and business. But we understand that tens, perhaps hundreds, of thousands of students voted Lib Dem because of their left-sounding promises, including the promise to oppose higher fees. We share the anger they are feeling.
This shameless U-turn is a step too far for many Lib Dem activists; a serious revolt is under way in the party. Many MPs have already said they will rebel. It will be a close vote. If we pile enough pressure on, the Lib Dem leaders will crack, and so will this Tory policy.
We call on Labour Students and their supporters and allies in the leadership of NUS to join the demonstration. And we ask the activists of Liberal Youth: which comes higher – your principles, or the discipline of a party leadership who have left you hanging? If the first, be there on the 25th!
Join the protest!
4pm, Monday 25 October
4 Cowley St, London SW1P 3NB (Westminster or St James Park tube – map here:
http://tinyurl.com/libdemhq)
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=167742613241671
During the election, Nick Clegg said:
“The Liberal Democrats are different. Not only will we oppose any raising of the cap, we will scrap tuition fees for good, including for part-time students. We can’t do it ov...ernight, but we can start straight away with students in their first year – that way means anyone at university this autumn will have their debt cut by at least £3,000. Students can make the difference in countless seats in this election. Use your vote to block those unfair tuition fees and get them scrapped once and for all.”
It was always doubtful that the Lib Dem leaders would stick to opposing fees – particularly once they became partners in a slash-and-burn Tory government. Nor do we support their original alternative, a graduate tax. We want free education and living grants for all students – funded, as all services should be, at the expense of the rich and business. But we understand that tens, perhaps hundreds, of thousands of students voted Lib Dem because of their left-sounding promises, including the promise to oppose higher fees. We share the anger they are feeling.
This shameless U-turn is a step too far for many Lib Dem activists; a serious revolt is under way in the party. Many MPs have already said they will rebel. It will be a close vote. If we pile enough pressure on, the Lib Dem leaders will crack, and so will this Tory policy.
We call on Labour Students and their supporters and allies in the leadership of NUS to join the demonstration. And we ask the activists of Liberal Youth: which comes higher – your principles, or the discipline of a party leadership who have left you hanging? If the first, be there on the 25th!
Join the protest!
4pm, Monday 25 October
4 Cowley St, London SW1P 3NB (Westminster or St James Park tube – map here:
http://tinyurl.com/libdemhq) http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=167742613241671
National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts
e-mail:
againstfeesandcuts@gmail.com
Homepage:
http://www.anticuts.com