University tuition fees increase a betrayal, Ed Balls tells Leicester students
Shadow chancellor Ed Balls took part in a question-and-answer session with De Montfort University students yesterday.
Increased tuition fees and the scrapping of the Educational Maintenance Allowance were top of the agenda as the MP addressed the 200-strong crowd.
He was stood in the same spot, in Magazine Square, where deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg had a year ago pledged not to raise fees.
Mr Balls declared the tuition fee increases a "great betrayal".
He said Labour's graduate tax scheme was "fairer" and meant that those from lower and middle class backgrounds would not be priced out of a university education.
However, asked if he would pledge not to raise tuition fees if Labour came to power, he said: "An election is three or four years away and it would be wrong at this early stage to make promises when we don't know what the picture will be.
"What I can promise it that our plans would be fair and not socially divisive."
De Montfort has yet to announce its fee proposal, but Mr Balls added: "Not many vice chancellors are jubilant about charging £9,000, but the Government has cut budgets by 80 per cent leaving little choice."
Mr Balls's visit was met with a mixed reaction from students.
Michael Thake, 21, who is studying international relations and politics at DMU, said: "Words are just words unless there's any action to back them up and I'm not sure I see that."
Fellow student Elliot Reay, 19, who is studying history and politics, said: "I much prefer the idea of a graduate tax because I think it gives everyone a chance to go to university."
Mr Balls was in the city to support Jon Ashworth, Labour's candidate for the Leicester South by-election.
Mr Ashworth's by-election campaign launch took place following his visit to the university, at Liberty Statue, in Upperton Road.
He met residents to discuss local and national political issues.
Voters in Leicester South will choose a new MP on May 5 after Sir Peter Soulsby stepped down to run for city mayor.
10 Comments
by Paul, Hamilton
Thursday, April 07 2011, 5:20PM
“Ross is your response an answer to Mike? If it is, it does not answer the question.
Didn't the Labour manifesto which Mr Balls was in govt at the time say that they would legislate to stop tution fees!! Then they introduced them.
In Tony Blairs book he has a section why they thought tution fees were better than a graduate tax.
Did Mr Balls also explain why when he was chief secutary to the tresuary despite suppose record growth he never once balanced the books!”
by Rural, Leics
Thursday, April 07 2011, 4:40PM
“Strange is it not that Ed Balls and his cronies looked at the graduate tax when in power but opted for tuition fees instead saying the tax option was unworkable. Another Labour hypocrite who will never be trusted with our money again.”
by hmm, Leicester
Thursday, April 07 2011, 3:41PM
“It goods that Ed Balls is beginning to assert himself more. A graduate tax scheme does appear fairer, and less threatening/ overpowering than loans. People are entitled to change their policies, as that is what ALL polticians do, especially those in power who are carrying out actions which if they were in their manifesto wouldn't have lead to them getting in power.”
by David, Great Easton, Rural Leicestershire.
Thursday, April 07 2011, 1:47PM
“Why does smarmy Balls expect anyone to believe what he says after the way in which New Labour acted over this?
No lectures from him or any of his colleagues are required or will be entertained.
He ought to remember where he is and why he is there - in Opposition!!”
by Loharlad, Leicester City Centre
Thursday, April 07 2011, 1:03PM
“Students have to be accountable for their fees, they cannot defy the laws of gravity except, of course, those studying spaceships!
Hopefully, minor and irrelevant degrees will evaporate and apprenticeships will return.
This Country has financial problems and we all have to contribute in one way or another. Wake up and smell the coffee.”
by LeicesterLocal, Leicester!
Thursday, April 07 2011, 12:43PM
“Well said Neil. He didn't says he'd oppose higher fees - he pledged to
VOTE AGAINST
higher fees - no ifs, buts, maybes, no 'if at all possible' but a cast iron pledge. He could still have done that - he did not. How can any one trust any future promise/pledge??”
by Neil B, Leicester
Thursday, April 07 2011, 12:12PM
“B, Nick Clegg's pledge was,
"I pledge to vote against any increase in fees in the next parliament and to pressure the government to introduce a fairer alternative."
Surely being in Deputy Prime Minister would have given him more chance to "pressure the government" not less.
To promise one thing and then do the opposite is a betrayal. Weasel words cannot change that fact.”
by B, Leicester
Thursday, April 07 2011, 11:47AM
“Let's all ignore Labour's hypocrisy and go back to blaming Nick Clegg for not honouring a pledge even though he didn't actually win the election.”
by Ross, Leicester
Thursday, April 07 2011, 11:36AM
“Someone put that to him at the event. He said that increasing the number of universities and students at university meant that it was unfair to continue to ask the public to full fund universities. But that it was equally unfair to take away 80% of teaching support for universities, which is why they now have to triple their fees, to cover the shortfall.”
by Mike, Leicester
Thursday, April 07 2011, 10:10AM
“What utter hypocrisy. Tuition fees are a Labour invention. There were thought up by Labour, introduced by Labour, and then increased by Labour.
To say that this second increase is a betrayal is pathetic. Labour think that tuition fees are an excellent idea and they are now just quibbling over the price.
Balls by name...”