Lib Dem society president to quit if fees rise

Warwick Liberal Democrats have said they are against the coalition’s planned rises in tuition fees, with the society’s President threatening to resign over the issue.

Warwick Conservatives however are split, with some supporting the Government’s plans and others strongly against.

The Co-President of Warwick Liberal Democrats, Joseph O’Leary, said his society is “deeply opposed” to the rises in fees. “The extortionate cap of £9,000 will represent a significant disincentive to prospective students, who will either avoid higher education or opt for shorter courses or favour local institutions. They also go against the pledge made by Liberal Democrat MPs – in a coalition, manifestos are negotiable; pledges are not.”

O’Leary has also threatened to resign as President over the proposals. “I recently stated that I will resign both my presidency of the society and my membership of the national party if a significant number of Lib Dem MPs go against their pledge and vote for a rise or abstain,” he said.

Warwick Conservatives, however, are split over the issue. Publicity Officer Laveen Ladharam said he is against the plans: “I oppose it because of the high levels of debt that it will put students in after graduation and the interest levied will put them in further debt. It takes the worst elements of both a tax and a loan.”

Despite this, Jonathan Cope, Chairman of Warwick Conservatives, is in favour of the fee rises: “The plans mean that students, who are the main beneficiaries from a degree, will be contributing more to it, an ideal that I support.

“In addition, the Government’s plan ensures that the poorest students will not be priced out of going to university. Students will only actually be paying £9,000 a year if they go on to earn a high-paying job and can subsequently afford to do so.”

Cope has also criticised the student protests, arguing they ought to “look at the numbers in comparison to a graduate tax”. He said: “Students should look at the proposals more carefully, and observe that they ensure the continued funding of our universities, while continuing to ensure that graduates who go on to earn a higher wage will pay back more than those who earn less.”

Warwick Liberal Democrats recently published a letter of discontent in the Guardian. They also organised a “Respect My Vote” campaign, gathering photos of students holding a sign with this slogan, and sent them to Lib Dem MPs. Ladharam plans to discuss issues with local politicians and SU officers.

Ladharam said he would like to see “greater corporate involvement in universities” such as companies investing in universities, rather than students paying higher fees. “In the long term when the economy starts to pick up again, I would like to see greater philanthropy so that we can get a greater level of endowments like Oxford and Cambridge have.”

The Government plans to increase the maximum tuition fees a university can charge per year from £3,250 to £9,000 for students starting in Autumn 2012. Students currently studying will not be affected by the rise.