REDBRIDGE: Tory MP to vote against tuition fee rise

11:37am Thursday 11th November 2010

By Ryan McCarthy

A TORY MP has pledged to vote against a rise in tuition fees, a week after refusing to commit to a stance.

Lee Scott, Ilford North MP, said he "has never sat on the fence" and he wanted to make clear his opposition to raising tuition fees.

David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science, told the House of Commons the Government intends to increase fees to £6,000 per year, with an upper tier of £9,000.

The Guardian contacted Mr Scott last week after the announcement to see how he would vote on a future Government bill.

It came after Mr Scott was pictured last year posing with former National Union of Students president Wes Streeting while holding a placard he had signed which said he would vote against any increase in the next parliament.

Last week Mr Scott would not confirm whether or not he would toe the party line.

He said: "I am waiting to see exactly what is put forward but I do have concerns over tuition fees.

"I'm not going to give an answer as to what I might do, I will wait to see exactly what comes forward.

"I genuinely don't have a clue of the details of when we will be asked to vote on it but I have learnt over my career that when it comes to it the proposal could have changed a lot."

This morning he told the Guardian he did not go to university himself as his family could not afford it and he understands the costs involved.

The father-of-five said: "Firstly, the behaviour of a certain element of the protesters yesterday was disgraceful.

"With regards to tuition fees, I wish I had made myself clearer, I would not vote for it (a rise).

"There is no benefit in saying I don't agree with something but coming up with no answers.

"I want to run a pilot in my own constituency to ask multi-national companies to sponsor an individual."

Mr Scott, who left school at 15 and later gained a business degree after attending night school, said he spoke with four multi-nationals last Friday, November 5, and all were "more than keen" on his proposal.

He said the plan would involve them paying tuition fees in return for certain guarantees, for example having first refusal in employing a student after graduation.

Parents at Woodbridge High School in Mr Scott's constituency urged him not to renege on his promise and one parent was pleased the MP will go against the Government.

Alan Clemens, whose daughter Charlotte, 17, is set to start university next year, said: "The right decision is never a late decision.

"It is good news and if others take notice of his stance, although it is not what the party wants, it could lead to results.

"Other MPs should show the same courage but I don't think the demonstrations yesterday will help with that.

Mr Clemens, 70, said Mr Scott's plan to encourage big businesses to back students by paying their fees could be "fantastic" if companies sign up to it.

Mr Streeting, who has since been elected onto Redbridge Council as a Labour member for Chadwell, said: "Lee's words of opposition to higher fees are all well and good but we will judge him by how he votes in the House of Commons and I hope he honours the pledge he made."