December 5, 201014 yr Author Nick Clegg is now claiming that, as part of the Coalition's plans, some of the poorest students will get a year'tuition fees cancelled: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11920628 Firstly, I want to see proof of this, as I don't believe anything that comes out of this man's mouth anymore - he's shown himself to be more out-and-out dishonest than even Blair and Mandelson at their spintastic best. But if it's true, then of course Labour should support it, as an addition to the already existing fees level of £3k a year - it could be paid for by collecting that tax bill from Vodafone perhaps?
December 5, 201014 yr Nick Clegg is now claiming that, as part of the Coalition's plans, some of the poorest students will get a year'tuition fees cancelled: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11920628 Firstly, I want to see proof of this, as I don't believe anything that comes out of this man's mouth anymore - he's shown himself to be more out-and-out dishonest than even Blair and Mandelson at their spintastic best. But if it's true, then of course Labour should support it, as an addition to the already existing fees level of £3k a year - it could be paid for by collecting that tax bill from Vodafone perhaps? You've said it yourself, though - IF.... Like you, I believe nothing from Clegg, I think I'd want to see this in writing with Nick Clegg's signature on it...... Oh......errrrr, yeah.... :mellow: Indeed, bloody Vodafone should be HAMMERED, not only with the back taxes but with a late payment fine (Christ knows, you or I would be...), but of course, this wont happen because George Osbourn is just the Corporates' bitch.....
December 5, 201014 yr The Lib Dems will still get votes, mainly in areas where the MP actually has Morals [i can see Ming walking the next election for North East Fife] or where the only options are Conservative or SNP. i.e. Scotland :lol: Surely, if the SNP decline continues, Labour will clean up north of the border?
December 5, 201014 yr Surely, if the SNP decline continues, Labour will clean up north of the border? Not everywhere. In some area's voting Labour isn't an option. The Highlands & Islands, Perthshire, Fife-NE and the Borders are too affluent to elect the labour party. The SNP will benefit more in these area's from the LibDem's. HOWEVER, up North the LibDems haven't slaughtered their rep. They do quite a good job in Edinburgh, so that might just save them in May
December 6, 201014 yr Surely, if the SNP decline continues, Labour will clean up north of the border? Led by the unlikeable Iain Gray? Don't bet on it. IMHO the Greens will pick up more list seats, if not constituency MSPS. The Greens have had their hand on the legislative tiller a few times and so far they've got a pretty solid reputation for common sense. They'd have a great chance of cashing in on the interest in developing a "green" energy industry in Scotland. :o I think I just heard them say on BBC that Michael Moore, the Scottish Secretary is considering resigning over the tuition vote. Now that's a man who understands just how unforgiving Scots' voters can be when they think a party/person has shafted them. If he does, I can see many LD MPs with Scottish constituencies following suit. The party would otherwise be massacred at Holyrood elections in May. Edited December 6, 201014 yr by Baytree
December 6, 201014 yr Transport minister Norman Baker is reported to be considering resigning from the government in order to vote against the rise in tuition fees. I'm convinced he only got a job on the age-old principle that it was better to have him inside the tent p***ing out rather than outsidde the tent p***ing in.
December 6, 201014 yr Author There's also been a complete silence from Chris Huhne on the entire issue so far - if he doesn't vote in favour, that really would make things interesting.
December 6, 201014 yr Apparently it wasn't Michael Moore, just his PPS and the latter's apparently been "misunderstood". The whips must be very busy.
December 6, 201014 yr There's also been a complete silence from Chris Huhne on the entire issue so far - if he doesn't vote in favour, that really would make things interesting. He's at the climate change talks in Mexico at the moment. I suspect he may be there all wekk so he'll miss the vote.
December 6, 201014 yr Led by the unlikeable Iain Gray? Don't bet on it. IMHO the Greens will pick up more list seats, if not constituency MSPS. The Greens have had their hand on the legislative tiller a few times and so far they've got a pretty solid reputation for common sense. They'd have a great chance of cashing in on the interest in developing a "green" energy industry in Scotland. :o I think I just heard them say on BBC that Michael Moore, the Scottish Secretary is considering resigning over the tuition vote. Now that's a man who understands just how unforgiving Scots' voters can be when they think a party/person has shafted them. If he does, I can see many LD MPs with Scottish constituencies following suit. The party would otherwise be massacred at Holyrood elections in May. Agreed. Labour have their guaranteed seats on the West coast and the M8 corridor into Edinburgh and across the bridge into south and west Fife, but the rest of the country is free game. Up North is strictly LibDem/SNP, Dundee is seeing it's formerly safe Labour seats being taken over by the SNP, Fife NE is pure LibDem if only to keep the Tory's out. The southern uplands is ConDem. The bast*rds in the middle are the only ones to elect a Tory MP. I think the Conservatives will mainly list MP's, the Greens could make a move if they get media attention and play down the 4x4's iz death!!!111!!!!!1!!!ONE!!!! mentality. If they push for Green Energy, no tuition fee's and more fiscal independence then they will get a $h!t load of votes. Holyrood will be won on who can win over the students. It's how the SNP won the last election by scraping the graduate endowment, and if they can safe guard their no tuition fee's policy then it's theirs to lose. It'll be interesting how many people quit on the LibDem's side to vote against it.
December 6, 201014 yr "Lib Dem MP John Hemming likely to vote in favour of tuition fees rise because he doesn't want to 'reward' behaviour of some protesters." That's literally the most stupid thing I've ever read.
December 7, 201014 yr Author The Tories' David Davis has said he will vote against. This is pretty significant as he holds a lot of sway among Tories. He'll probably only convert a few other Tories maximum, but with the vote this tight, every new rebel is worth its weight in gold.
December 7, 201014 yr Author Transport minister Norman Baker is reported to be considering resigning from the government in order to vote against the rise in tuition fees. I'm convinced he only got a job on the age-old principle that it was better to have him inside the tent p***ing out rather than outsidde the tent p***ing in. Junior Home Office minister Lynne Featherstone is also believed to be considering resigning in order to vote against.
December 7, 201014 yr Tory MP David Davis to vote against fees hike. Given his opposition to this, and to the 42 days a few years ago, it begs the question of why he's still with the Conservatives.
December 7, 201014 yr Tory MP David Davis to vote against fees hike. Given his opposition to this, and to the 42 days a few years ago, it begs the question of why he's still with the Conservatives. Because he's right wing enough elsewhere that he really has nowhere else to go? :lol:
December 8, 201014 yr I have just received this email from my SU Rep: Dear Student, This Thursday the government will vote on raising tuition fees to £9,000 per year. This Thursday I will be travelling to London and attending the Houses of Parliament where I will put forward the concerns of Staffordshire University students to MPs in the Staffordshire area and oppose the plans to raise fees. I now urge you to contact your local MP on behalf of all future students and ask them to vote against raising tuition fees, which will result in fewer students being able to attend University. This is an important time for students to stand up for Higher Education and to make sure that future generations do not get burdened with unprecedented debt at the end of their degree. You can find your local MP at http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/ simply click the link and email them now. Please take 5 minutes to email your MP and tell them to vote against the raise in student fees and safeguard the future of Higher Education. Thank you Fiona Wood, Students’ Union President Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
December 8, 201014 yr Author In a sign of just how concerned the Coalition are that they're going to lose this vote, Chris Huhne is being ordered back from the climate-change talks in Mexico to cast his vote. That shows just how significant it could be to contact your MP asking them to vote against today, particularly if they're a Lib Dem or Tory! I've already forced my flatmate to write to his (Lorely Burt, who's been one of the Lib Dems' prime ditherers on the subject).
December 8, 201014 yr I sent this to my local MP, a certain Graham Brady: Dear Mr Brady, I appreciate that there's a decent chance you will have taken one look at the email address this has come from and discarded it instantly, but evidently if you're reading this you haven't. I am writing to you for the same reason that students and prospective students up and down the country are writing to their local MPs, to implore you to consider voting against the new plans for tuition fees when the vote takes place in Parliament tomorrow. Although of course this would go against your party (and therefore government) policy, you have displayed in the past that you are an MP who is not afraid to go against the grain. You stood up for your local constituents by standing down from the Shadow Cabinet in defence of grammar schools, a matter which I have particularly to heart given that I, as you did, attend Altrincham Grammar School for Boys. Although if all goes as planned with my university application these plans will not affect me, I am very aware of not only those individuals in my year who are delaying their university entry by a year but also some of my friends who, like so many thousands of Lower Sixth students around the UK, will be forced into huge debt just to have the privilege their academic ability alone should grant them. In our constituency, the problem is not even as severe as in much of the country. We are lucky enough to live in a relatively affluent area where many prospective students will be able to survive the crippling burden these plans would deposit on their shoulders. But for many students, this is not the case. So much in recent years has been done to bolster the hopes of young people getting to university who in previous generations would have not stood a chance due to financial prejudices. These plans would be a regressive step, and an alarming one at that. Thank you for your time and I hope you take my thoughts, along with those of my contemporaries, on board when you vote tomorrow. Yours sincerely, Charlie Mayer
December 8, 201014 yr i wish these protests weren't every thursday cos that's when my convenors are. luckily the tutors are thinking of rearranging tomorrows so i might be able to go for the last push.
December 8, 201014 yr This is one of Dundee's latest emails on the subject: Our Future // Vote Against Fees // Library Study-In // Get the Message out there www.dusa.co.uk/ourfuture Hey everyone On Thursday 9th December MPs will vote on the proposal to increase tuition fees in England. The 11 MPs representing Scottish constituencies will travel to Westminster to register their vote. It is important that we at Dundee recognise the effect that increased tuition fees in England could have on Scottish Higher Education. OUR FUTURE Today DUSA are launching a new campaign - 'Our Future'. The new campaign seeks to raise awareness of the big issues facing higher education over the coming months and will encourage debate on a fair and progressive future for students. Under 'Our Future' we have released the first edition of DUSA Monthly. This month's edition answers all the questions you might have about University cuts at Dundee, in Scotland and across the whole of the UK. Just head to www.dusa.co.uk/ourfuture for more information. VOTE AGAINST FEES All Liberal Democrat MPs, SNP MPs and 16 Labour MPs signed an NUS pledge to “vote against any increase in tuition fees” and students in Scotland want to see that promise kept. Today the NUS have launched a new website - www.voteagainstfees.com. We are fully supportive of this action and we want as many Dundee students as possible to register at Vote Against Fees. By registering you will automatically send an e-mail to the Scottish Lib Dem leader and all other Lib Dem MPs in Scotland who have not committed to honoring this pledge. LIBRARY STUDY-IN - WEDS 8TH DECEMBER Students across the UK will be holding a National Day of Action next Wednesday 8th December in anticipation of Thursday's vote at Westminster. Dundee will be no different. Assemble outside the Library at 11am for a rally against these irresponsible proposals and participate in a study-in at the Library from midnight. Unfortunately this week's study-in was cancelled due to adverse weather but we will make every effort to go ahead with this on Wednesday. See the updated Facebook group at - http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=173246589365752 FACEBOOK / TWITTER - GET THE MESSAGE OUT THERE We cannot do this without the support of the student body. The introduction of increased tuition fees in England will strengthen the case for a graduate tax or up-front fees in Scotland. Beyond that the English fees will affect Scottish students wishing to travel south of the border for a University education. Don't we already have enough debt as it is? Make sure you spread the word about 'Our Future' by sending out the following tweet tonight - 'Dundee students against cuts - www.dusa.co.uk/ourfuture - #ourfuture'. Spread the word on Facebook, come along to the protests and make sure to register at www.voteagainstfees.com. Thanks for all your help everyone! The DUSA Executive Cookies for anyone who can spot the spelling mistake Despite Dundee not being a member of the NUS, or this vote directly affecting us, the Student Union have been really active and very for protests etc.
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