WARRINGTON’S coalition council has voted to ask the coalition government to reverse its decisions to increase student tuition fees and scrap the educational maintenance allowance.
The council voted 43-10 in favour of a Labour motion calling on the government to reconsider.
Lib Dem council leader Ian Marks (right) said the “strangely worded” motion was typical of Labour – solely designed to try and embarrass the administration and the Lib Dems in particular.
There was nothing positive about it and ignored what Labour might do if still in government with the £72 billion cuts announced by Alastair Darling.
But he added: “I will be honest and admit the Lib Dems nationally have got themselves into a mess over tuition fees. It is not our finest hour.”
Cllr Marks said there would be a free vote and some Lib Dems would vote for the motion, some against and some would abstain.
He would, himself, abstain, as he had some sympathy for part of the motion.
Cllr Marks pointed out that the Lib Dem pledge to end tuition fees over a six year period applied if they had formed a government. It was superseded by the coalition agreement.
“The whole point about coalitions is that you have to compromise.”
He also reminded the council that it was Labour who signalled the end to free higher education in 1998 and that in 2003 71 Labour MPs voted against tuition fees and 19 abstained.
Today, Labour was still split on how they would fund universities. Ed Milliband and Ed Balls favoured a graduate tax, but chancellor Alan Johnson did not.
Cllr Marks said the Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA)would be replaced by more targeted support to those in real need.
He said: “I do have some concerns about this proposal because I am aware that many families in Warrington are very dependent upon it. I await further details on what the replacement will be.”
The motion approved by the council, moved by Labour’s Cllr Colin Froggatt and Cllr Russ Bowden, called on the government to reconsider its stance on ceasing the EMA and urged it not to raise Higher Education tuition fees.
9 Comments
What is the feedback from those who have been to uni in recent years?
And how much has paying back the fees affected their life style?
Funny how the Liberal Democrats in Warrington are supporting this knowing full well the damage introducing these fees will do to the Lib Dems at next years local elections. Isn’t the leader up for re-election and one seat in it to gain control??
I’m sure even some of Lib Dems have kids and realise the problems the increase in fees may cause 🙂 No point in Cllr Marks reminding people that their lot pledged to end tuition fees but the coalition agreement has ‘superseeded’ it……. a ‘promise’ which is no longer an option due to jumping into bed with the opposition is not worth a breath… and all such reminders do is to ‘remind’ how the libe dems and indeed the conservatives ‘sold out’ and lied in the run up to the general election. WE WILL NEVER… ‘what was it they all said’ !?!?
This has nothing to do with the council. We have elected representatives to deal with national issues. perhaps if time wasnt wasted on this they might be able to sort out problems for which they are responsible and more importnatly can do something about.
Now that the big Governments’ Nanny’s tit is running dry, everyone who has sucked on it for years had better get ready to be weaned. There’s a lot of squealing, crying and foot stamping in everybody’s future – ask Greece and Ireland.
Cllr Marks added “I will be honest……” : ) : ) : ) lol!
Can you publish the names of councillors and how they voted?
Councillors who voted against the motion: Clr Bob Barr (LD – Lymm), Clr Keith Bland (CON – Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft), Clr Sue Bland (CON – Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft), Clr Paul Campbell (CON – Penketh and Cuerdley), Clr Sue Dodd (LD – Stockton Heath), Clr Ray Hancock (LD – Appleton), Clr Celia Jordan (LD – Stockton Heath, Clr Paul Kennedy (CON – Hatton, Stretton and Walton), Clr Judith Walker (LD – Appleton) and Clr Sheila Woodyatt (CON – Lymm).
Councillors who abstained from the vote: Clr Ian Marks (LD – Lymm) and Clr Judith Wheeler (LD – Whittle Hall).
who will benefit from this education…who will now think seriously before choosing namby pamby courses?, which will provide a secure financial future?.
I tried to get further education last year to change careers…couldnt afford the course because I work…yet some people think I should pay for their education…no thank you I support this increase in fees, and I have a son currently 16yo in higher education.