News from Sheffield Labour

Paul Blomfield urges Lib Dem MPs to keep promise on fees

In a speech in the House of Commons last night Paul Blomfield, MP for Sheffield Central urged Lib Dem MPs to vote against raising university tuition fees to up to £9000 a year and accused Nick Clegg of a cynical U-turn on fees.

Speaking in the House of Commons debate Paul Blomfield said: “If they [the Lib Dems] vote in favour of the proposals, not only will they be dashing the hopes of thousands of young people, but they will be destroying the confidence of those young people in democratic politics. This was the election in which the Liberal Democrats tried to seize the moral high ground, talking about honesty, trust, integrity. Voting in abstention, knowing that Conservative votes will push the measures through, will also be seen to be deeply cynical, so I urge Liberal Democrat Members to honour their pledge, join Opposition Members and vote down the proposals.”

Speaking after the debate Mr Blomfield added: “Clegg’s cynical U-turn on fees shames him and the Liberal Democrats. We now know that while he was urging students to vote Liberal Democrat because of their promise not to increase fees, he was secretly planning to ditch the commitment. In the next few weeks before the vote I urge students and everyone concerned about this to keep up the pressure on Lib Dems MP. If enough Lib Dems stick to their promise the fees increase can be defeated. But if they support higher fees, or sit on their hands and abstain, then they will dash the hopes and aspirations of many young people in my constituency, and the public will not forget their dishonesty.”

Other news from Sheffield Labour

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• Cameron promises one thing, Cities' Minister another - 30 April 2012