Party Lines: December 10th

By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk

After protests turned violent in Westminster last night following the coalition’s decision to treble tuition fees, Ed Miliband said that the violence was unacceptable:

“There is never any excuse for violence or disorder on our streets, nor for vandalising some of our nation’s most important symbols. The attack on the Prince of Wales’s car, in which he and the Duchess of Cornwall were travelling, is also totally unacceptable. I know that the police will take all steps required to identify those responsible.”

Meanwhile Shadow Home Secretary Ed Balls called for an urgent investigation of what happened yesterday:

“The police have an incredibly difficult job to do in very difficult and fast-changing circumstances. This was the fourth major protest about the Government’s grossly unfair tuition fees policy in the capital in as many weeks. Thousands of officers have had to be deployed and a number have been injured.”

“It is right that there is an urgent investigation into what happened yesterday including the disgraceful attack on the Prince and Duchess’ car. The majority of students protested peacefully, but those who hijacked the demonstration and perpetrated acts of violence must be swiftly brought to justice.”