Westmorland & Lonsdale MP: I'll vote against tuition fees rise (From The Westmorland Gazette)
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Westmorland & Lonsdale MP: I'll vote against tuition fees rise
5:40pm Wednesday 8th December 2010 in Ballots
STANCE: Tim Farron
REBEL MP Tim Farron said he will vote against the Government’s plans to treble tuition fees in the House of Commons tomorrow.
Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Mr Farrron joins a number of high profile Liberal Democrat backbenchers voting against the controversial education reform, which is set to rock the party.
Mr Farron said he would keep the promise he made to constituents when he was elected that he would oppose any rise in tuition fees.
“Having made a particular promise to the people of Westmorland and Lonsdale I need to keep it,” he said.
“As someone who has come from a poor background, who got into higher education when it would have otherwise been difficult to afford, I feel keenly that this is an important issue on which I must make a stand.”
He added he was pleased his party had managed to negotiate a better outcome for part-time students who would now not have to pay any up-front fees.
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has come under fire from party members for doing a U-turn on his pre-election promise that the party would oppose a rise in fees.
He is said to have spent this week trying to encourage Liberal Democrat ministers to toe the party line and vote in favour of an increase in fees of up to £9000 year.
While on Tuesday all 17 ministers agreed to pledge their support to Mr Clegg, almost half of all Lib Dem backbenchers including ex-leaders Charles Kennedy and Sir Menzies Campbell are expected to vote against the plans.
Comments(30)
Ambience
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7:37pm Wed 8 Dec 10
wezzyk
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7:45pm Wed 8 Dec 10
worldsgonemad
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7:45pm Wed 8 Dec 10
Ambience
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7:55pm Wed 8 Dec 10
Ambience
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7:55pm Wed 8 Dec 10
wezzyk
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8:04pm Wed 8 Dec 10
Stargazeratdawn
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9:02am Thu 9 Dec 10
Terry Neill
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10:14am Thu 9 Dec 10
This policy was devised by Vince Cable, a Libdem.
Over half the country don’t attend university so free tuition means that their taxes are higher in order to subsidise those who do want to attend. Why is this fair?
Let’s be clear about the proposals:
Fees can be raised to 6k a year. Any rise over 6k will depend on the university setting up a scholarship programme for poorer students. This is much needed as the top universities have a poor record for attracting students from ethnic minorities and poorer backgrounds. There is an absolute cap of 9k a year.
There will be maintenance grants for those from families with a household income under 25k a year. Partial grants will be available for those where the family income is up to 42k.
The loans for the cost of tuition fees are being extended to part-time students.
The loans are only repayable after graduation and then only when income is over 21k.
Even many of those arguing against this rise in tuition fees, want to replace it with a graduate tax, which his almost exactly the same. So don’t be deceived
madgran6
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12:31pm Thu 9 Dec 10
My daughter graduated last year and these are her thoughts on the tuition fees: "I put myself through uni as a single mum of two primary school children. I have student loans to pay off of over £20,000 and am quite happy to do so, in fact I would be willing to owe more if it ensured I had the opportunity of higher education and good employment prospects, the main reason that I went to university. Too many students I encountered where more interested in the social side of uni rather than the education side, why should the overburdened tax payer subsidise students, many of whom are taking courses that will be of no benefit to them when they graduate. These students who are complaining need to live in the real world and realise that nothing comes free these days. Instead of protesting they should be in the library getting their assignments done. Isn't that why they are at uni?"
BentheBorderCollie
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12:44pm Thu 9 Dec 10
wazoo
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6:48pm Thu 9 Dec 10
BentheBorderCollie wrote:Rather hypocritical of a regular contributor to this site to have a go at others who choose to leave comments!
Who'd be a politician. Stick to your pre-election promises like Tim and get slagged off for making "meaningless gestures" to "keep your halo". Make a reasoned change in your position in the light of circumstances like Nick Clegg and get slagged off as "Pinickio" (c) Daily Mirror. Much easier to sit in the comfort of your own living room and carp in the comment columns of your local newspaper.
Saint Tim has clearly weighed up his options and calculated what action would have the most beneficial outcome for him. He knew that his vote would have no bearing on the outcome, so chose to announce to all and sundry that he was sticking to his pledge. If he really wanted to stand up to his Leader he would have resigned from his position of party president, just as the Lib-Dem Ministers have resigned. But then this is how Tim operates, says what everybody wants to hear whilst making sure he is the one who benefits!
Utter
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9:29am Fri 10 Dec 10
Firstly, Tim keeps his promises. An ideal MP who always keeps his word. I am proud to vote for him and always will.
Secondly, 65% of people agree with him - so all the people having a moan. You are in the minority.
WELL DONE TIM!
wazoo
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9:53am Fri 10 Dec 10
Utter
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10:49am Fri 10 Dec 10
I guess you can win with some people - the man keeps his promise. He puts the young people and families of his community first , he keeps his word and you moan...jeez! I mean seriosuly come on!
In terms of the protests why don't you ask him directly rather than slurring him online? It just makes you look sad frankly.
I think Tim is the best MP our community has ever had and in a time when politicians lie and cheat he is a breath of fresh air.
zaney5
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10:56am Fri 10 Dec 10
I applaued your daughter and agree with everything she says.
I have said many times, why should we as tax payers subsidise those students who just see Uni as a social experience rather than a place to futher their education.
wazoo
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12:52pm Fri 10 Dec 10
Utter wrote:Mr Farron's remarks after the first wave of violence were published on this website for all to see so I fail see how I can be 'slurring him online', maybe you missed that article?
To be honest you are having a moan, which is fine. But a little sad to be honest.
I guess you can win with some people - the man keeps his promise. He puts the young people and families of his community first , he keeps his word and you moan...jeez! I mean seriosuly come on!
In terms of the protests why don't you ask him directly rather than slurring him online? It just makes you look sad frankly.
I think Tim is the best MP our community has ever had and in a time when politicians lie and cheat he is a breath of fresh air.
I find your need to belittle and insult those who have a different opinion to your own rather uninspired, perhaps you cannot constructively counter the opposing view so feel it necessary to use insulting remarks.
Utter
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1:34pm Fri 10 Dec 10
I saw the article but that doesnt mean that's tim's opinion why not ask him?
ATOJ
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2:03pm Fri 10 Dec 10
Oh know! that my be to much of an effort so I'll make it simple and post it here...
Let’s be clear about the proposals:
Fees can be raised to 6k a year. Any rise over 6k will depend on the university setting up a scholarship programme for poorer students. This is much needed as the top universities have a poor record for attracting students from ethnic minorities and poorer backgrounds. There is an absolute cap of 9k a year.
There will be maintenance grants for those from families with a household income under 25k a year. Partial grants will be available for those where the family income is up to 42k.
The loans for the cost of tuition fees are being extended to part-time students.
The loans are only repayable after graduation and then only when income is over 21k.
Even many of those arguing against this rise in tuition fees, want to replace it with a graduate tax, which his almost exactly the same. So don’t be deceived
There you go, no need for any silly rioting now is there.
wazoo
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2:13pm Fri 10 Dec 10
Utter wrote:Are you suggesting the Gazette misquoted him?
I can construct an arguement but simply put why waste my time. You seem beyond it anyway.
I saw the article but that doesnt mean that's tim's opinion why not ask him?
Or do you only believe to be true those things which you agree with?
Utter
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3:52pm Fri 10 Dec 10
Simply put the man has kept his promise and it's to be applauded.
gadgetgadget
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4:38pm Fri 10 Dec 10
Tim promised his electorate both as part of his party's manifesto, his own campaigning with UoC and personally to the constituency that he would not vote in favour of fees rises. Perhaps those complaining would rather have an MP who makes promises to his electorate and then doesn't keep to them ? He's there to represent us not his party and perhaps some of the complainers here should remember that - he has actually taken the moral high ground on this matter unlike some of his party colleagues.
As for the protest violence - if that behaviour is indicative of potential future graduates and possible business/political leaders in this country then it's a sad reflection on how misguided these protesters are. If only they would take the time to read the small print instead of throwing missiles and urinating on monuments - Terry and ATOJ posts above being a fair reflection of the plan.
I don't think Tim actually condoned the behaviour of previous protests but stated he could understand why the protestors felt the need to protest (there is a difference) - as for being misquoted I seem to recall his whole quote was NOT published online on this site as it formed part of a TV interview and quotes taken out of context are potentially very misleading !
Oh and lastly - wazoo - careful your mask is slipping ! Your last post sums up your own attitude on this article !!
wazoo
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5:09pm Fri 10 Dec 10
gadgetgadget
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5:20pm Fri 10 Dec 10
wazoo
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5:37pm Fri 10 Dec 10
As I have said, I do not wish to become involved in any arguments you may have with other posters so I will ignore you, please leave me alone.
gadgetgadget
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6:41pm Fri 10 Dec 10
Polite - that's in the eye of the beholder. Perhaps other users such as ben and utter might think differently as to how you've addressed them, that's up to them. Indeed utter's responses to you say a lot about that.
I have my views on who you are (based on evidence) and it's up to me to decide whether to believe your denial or not. Frankly I don't and with good reason.
onecom
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8:07pm Fri 10 Dec 10
Sorry gadgetgadget but I'm me and I'm still here! I can see your mistake, wazoo has some very considered and thought-provoking views! seriously though, thats not me my friend, sorry.
gadgetgadget
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8:36pm Fri 10 Dec 10
onecom
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9:12pm Fri 10 Dec 10
IT'S NOT ME!!!!!!
gadgetgadget
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10:59am Sat 11 Dec 10
Sussed and panicing again I see - aw bless.
wezzyk says...
6:44pm Wed 8 Dec 10