Lambert backs out of Think Tank talk

Warwick University’s Chancellor Richart Lambert has pulled out of a Think Tank debate on the role of business in higher education.

The debate, which was due to take place on Saturday 27 November, was cancelled due to Lambert’s own withdrawal from the panel of speakers. Richard Lambert announced to Warwick Think Tank that he would be unable to speak at the event late on Thursday night.

Around 100 people had planned to attend the event itself, titled ‘What should the role of business be in the provision of education?’ which had been in planning since August.

Lambert had been asked by Warwick Think Tank to speak at a previous talk in October on the issue of the rise in tuition fees but was unable to do so. As a result the second talk was planned in order to accommodate Lambert’s schedule; as well as acting as the University of Warwick’s Chancellor, Richard Lambert is also Director-General of the Confederation of British Industry.

His withdrawal from the event follows a wave of nationwide protests on Wednesday 24th November in opposition to higher tuition fees and cuts to university budgets. Students participated in a variety of protests across the country, occupying buildings and marching through city centres.

At the University, a group of students marched across campus with banners before entering the Arts Centre Conference Room (ACCR) and occupying it overnight.

However, despite rumours that Lambert’s cancellation was in reaction or in some way linked to the occupation of ACCR, there is little evidence that this was the case.

Angela Tang, Co-President of Warwick Think Tank, said of the matter: “To play the blame game is not productive. The peaceful occupation of the ACCR was unrelated to our event and it would be deeply unfair to hold those involved as responsible for our event’s postponement. The rescheduled event will hopefully take place early next term.”

Despite this, Lambert’s cancellation has sparked a new level of debate both on campus and on social networking websites, bringing to light tensions among students over the proposed rise in tuition fees and the subsequent protests. The talk has been rescheduled for the spring term but a date has not yet been confirmed. However, a further round of student protests has been scheduled for Tuesday 30 November, and tensions between students and the Government continue.