Many residents in Ealing have read about the coalition government’s proposal to raise tuition fees. This is a difficult issue and certainly for my party, the Liberal Democrats.

There are many students in Ealing and other teenagers who are thinking of going to university in the future. Many of the issues have not been debated or promoted in the media to allow a proper discussion of the proposals.

I think back to when I went to university, in Sheffield. I remember having to pay back my student loan while I worked. And I earned very little by many people’s salary levels.

Tuition fees is on the agenda was because the Browne review, set up under the previous Labour government, published its findings. It was clear that if Labour had continued in government they would have introduced a system similar to what the coalition announced recently.

Do you remember in 2005 that the Labour party said there would be no tuitions fees – and then introduced tuition fees shortly afterwards, themselves? It is therefore hypocritical for Labour to blame the coalition or the Lib Dems, as we are trying to sort out the economy that they left us with.

This is a coalition government not a Lib Dem government. The Conservatives have many more seats than us and we must make compromises. We wanted to phase out fees and make the system more progressive. We have made it more progressive in operation so that those who go on to lower paid jobs will pay less than under the current system.

Looking at the details of the proposed tuition fee rise we can see that with Liberal Democrat campaigning, within the coalition, it means that you would only pay back some of your fees when you earn over £21,000 (the original plan was set at the lower level of £15,000). This will help many students in Ealing who will not have to pay up-front. The government also announced a £150 million scholarship to assist those from poorer backgrounds to go to university.

However the Liberal Democrats want to see a situation where there are no tuition fees. This might not be possible now but when the economy improves this is something that should be strongly taken up.

The Conservatives before the election talked of removing the cap on tuition fees totally. It was in part the Liberal Democrats who campaigned to get the positive additions to the proposals. There is additional support for those on low incomes and currently part-time students have to pay fees up-front, but they wouldn’t under the new proposals. These are aspects we campaigned for, in – and after - the election.

I hope that teenagers are not put off university because of the recent scare stories and instead have three enjoyable years while being educated, leading to a successful career path.

Thank you,

Councillor Gary Malcolm,

Leader of the Ealing Liberal Democrats