NUS President challenges Elwyn Watkins on fees

By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk

In an open letter to the Lib Dem candidate for Oldham East, NUS President Aaron Porter has urged Watkins to re-sign their pledge to vote against any fee hike. The letter is reproduced below:

Open Letter to Elwyn Watkins

Wednesday 8 December 2010

Dear Mr Watkins,

At the general election, we were delighted that you signed the NUS pledge for candidates on higher education funding:

“I pledge to vote against any increase in fees in the next Parliament and to pressure the Government to introduce a fairer alternative.”

Given the decision to hold the Oldham East and Saddleworth election once again, NUS will be contacting candidates from all political parties in this by election to ask whether they will sign, or in your case, re-sign the pledge? We are doing this so that we can give an indication to students, and their families where you stand on the issue, as this remains an issue of huge public interest.

Although I accept many of your colleagues in Parliament are in a difficult position on this issue, I am pleased that many are still sticking to the pledge, which is also in line with your party policy and is still the view of the Liberal Democrat membership – so I hope you will agree to re-sign the pledge.

With a vote on tuition fees this Thursday, clearly we are keen to get an answer from you before then, and would be happy to publicise your reply in order to give reassurance to students and their families.

Yours sincerely,

Aaron Porter

National President, NUS