Clegg And Lib Dem MPs Fail To Agree On Fees

Nick Clegg has told Liberal Democrat MPs he will vote in favour of increasing tuition fees after the party failed to reach agreement.

The Deputy Prime Minister held a last-ditch meeting with his MPs.

Aides for Mr Clegg said he told them he would rather they "walk through the fire" together by all abstaining in the key vote on Thursday.

During a 20 minute talk, he insisted "to govern was to choose" and he would rather prioritise spending on early years of education.

He praised his MPs for the way they had dealt with a "difficult" situation without animosity.

Mr Clegg also acknowledged there had been a "lot of pressure" from protesters and the media.

It comes as three Conservative MPs confirm they will rebel against the Government.

Philip Davies, who represents Shipley, and Dr Julian Lewis, MP for New Forest East, are the latest to confirm they will vote no.

Dr Lewis said he was concerned about social mobility.

They join former shadow home secretary David Davis who revealed on Monday he would not support the policy which will see some fees almost triple.

Mr Clegg's meeting lasted for at least two hours and he sat next to deputy leader Simon Hughes throughout.

The Deputy Prime Minister insists that the Government's policy is the "fairest way" to reform higher education funding as payments are deferred until students start earning £21,000.

He is understood to have offered to abstain when the House of Commons votes on Thursday - but only if Lib Dems who want to vote "no" also agree to hold back.

Mr Clegg hoped to see off a three-way split among his own MPs and also stop a bid by backbencher Greg Mulholland to postpone the vote so a public debate about funding for higher education can take place.

Writing in the Financial Times Mr Clegg said the argument has "generated more heat than light", as students and young people are so angry.

"The Government's proposals are controversial," he wrote.

"But I am convinced that they are the fairest way to keep Britain's higher education sector strong, even as we cut the deficit that endangers our economy."

He added: "The uncomfortable truth is that the growth in the university population in recent years has done little or nothing to boost social mobility.

"The student population has become more middle-class dominated. The coalition is intent on making our universities more effective engines of social mobility."

Mr Clegg and Business Secretary Vince Cable had already indicated their instinct was to support the policy, despite a pre-election pledge to vote against the proposals.

Under the terms of the Coalition agreement with the Conservatives, Lib Dem MPs are allowed to abstain on the vote and many of the 57 members have suggested they will.

But prominent MPs including ex-party leader Charles Kennedy and Lib Dem president Tim Farron have suggested they intend to vote against increasing fees.

Transport minister Norman Baker has said quitting remains an "option", but sources suggest it is unlikely he will resign.

If the Lib Dems all abstained, the Government's proposals would almost certainly pass, as they have more MPs than Labour, the opposition.

However, if enough Lib Dems vote against it, the outcome is much less certain.

Further protests are expected nationwide on Wednesday, as students attempt to keep their opposition to the policy in the public eye.

The National Union of Students also plans a day of lobbying on Thursday and is calling for supporters to contact their MP before the crucial vote.

Source - Yahoo News.