Yesterday’s publication of the Browne Report and Vince Cable’s provisional statement on future finance for universities, including tuition fees, continues to reverberate around the Liberal Democrat party.  Most reaction seems to be in favour of rejecting the coalition government’s initial line to accept most of the report, but still to work on the detail to ensure fairness; i.e. less to pay back by the less well off; more to pay by the better paid.

On this one I agree with today’s Guardian editorial (for a change!): “The Lib-Dems, who were in denial about higher education’s financial problems at the election, have been forced to make a rapid U-turn to an uncomfortable reality.”

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/oct/13/lib-dems-university-fees-cable

It’s difficult for those in the party who have campaigned hard against any tuition fees, never mind the likely increase. Those MPs who signed a pledge to oppose an increase are especially in the spotlight. Unfortunately, being in government often presents financial realities that weren’t obvious (or were avoided) during an election campaign. That’s politics and it’s not always plane sailing.  

Wednesday evening the Lib Dem Federal Policy Committee met over the Browne Review and reiterated party policy on tuition fees.