STUDENT DEBATE TESTS LIB DEM COMMITMENTS

STUDENT DEBATE TESTS LIB DEM COMMITMENTS

CURRAN AND JAMIESON FACE KEY TEST ON STUDENT PLEDGE

SNP MSP Christina McKelvie has challenged Lib Dem and Labour MSPs to take a stand against tuition fees and vote for Scotland’s students.

A debate on the impact lifting the cap on tuition fees for students in England would have on higher education in Scotland and on Scottish students will test whether the Liberal Democrats are committed to the coalition government and their Conservative partners or to their constituents.

In a statement a week before the General Election Lib Dem leader 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,"

The debate will also challenge dual mandate MSPs Cathy Jamieson and Margaret Curran who rebelled against Labour's leadership in London and stood on a platform against raising tuition fees at the Westminster election.

New Scottish Secretary Michael Moore voted against introducing fees in 2004, Treasury Secretary Danny Alexander wrote the Liberal Democrat manifesto which included a pledge to abolish tuition fees and all Scottish Lib Dem MPs joined Curran and Jamieson in signing an NUS pledge opposing higher tuition fees in England.

The SNP has also issued a chronology of opposition hypocrisy over the issue of tuition fees (attached).

Ms McKelvie, a member of Holyrood’s Education Committee said:

“Danny Alexander, Michael Moore and Nick Clegg all told Scotland’s students they would be on their side against higher tuition fees.

“While SNP candidates will stick to that pledge the Lib Dems have abandoned Scotland’s students once again. The party that introduced back door tuition fees in Scotland now looks set to allow the cap to come of tuition fees in England regardless of the impact on Scotland's students.

“Even Labour candidates – Margaret Curran and Cathy Jamieson rebelled against Labour’s leadership and said they would vote for students rather than vote for higher tuition fees.

“Today is decision day for Scotland’s Lib Dems and Labour's dual mandate politicians – do they back their London colleagues or support Scotland’s students.

“Removing the cap on tuition fees could have a real impact on higher education in Scotland.

“The SNP position was clear in 2004 and is clear now. We have scrapped tution fees in Scotland, dramatically increased support for students and will continue with our efforts to give Scottish students the best possible start. As part of that commitment we will not support and will vote against removing the cap on tuition fees.”