The Lib Dems' East Midlands Regional Conference discussed university tuition fees on 30 October, and the following motion as proposed by myself (Sam Boote, parliamentary spokesman for Rushcliffe)and amended by Daniel Jones was debated:
For Liberal Democrats, one of the silver linings in last week's necessarily tough spending review was the introduction of a £2.5bn "pupil premium" to help close the unacceptable gap between the life chances of advantaged and disadvantaged children. This was one of the four main pledges on which the Lib Dems fought the general election, and as a former schools spokesman for the party I was particularly pleased and proud to see the delivery of this promise. This shows that the coalition is determined to pursue an agenda of creating real opportunity for all, even as it has to grapple with the problem of the budget deficit.
![Vince Cable [Photo: LDD Pics]](/fileadmin/_processed_/5/5/csm_vince-cable-photo-ldd-pics_a8e3e3f3df.png)
"With permission Mr Speaker, I would like to make a statement on the future funding of higher education and student finance, in the light of the report published today of Lord Browne's independent inquiry.
East Midlands LibDem Euro-MP Bill Newton Dunn and his MEP colleagues in New York last week urged nations of the world to "sprint to the finish line" in the race to meet global poverty-reduction targets by their 2015 deadline. Newton Dunn was one of the EU's official representatives alongside 150 heads of state and government at a three-day UN summit to accelerate progress towards the Millennium Development Goals, a planetary roadmap to fight hunger, disease and maternal and child mortality, provide basic education for all and protect the environment.
Charles Kennedy, the former Liberal Democrat leader, has denied the accusation that he has discussed joining the Labour Party. But the story has the ring of truth about it -- certainly, many disgruntled Lib Dems would sympathise if he has -- and as the news originated in a post by my old friend Mark Seddon, former editor of the Tribune and one-time member of Labour's NEC, I'm inclined to believe that there's something in it.
In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, the Deputy Prime Minister says graduates should face a new levy on their wages that will make the best paid contribute the most.
The Liberal Democrats are committed to rebuilding the trust and compassion that the UK was once known for. We believe that our country has a responsibility to support those in need, no matter where they are in the world.
For too long, years of neglect and mismanagement by the previous Conservative Government have pushed our prison system into a deep crisis.
The Liberal Democrats have long championed proportional representation, advocating for a voting system where every vote truly counts. We believe that reforming our electoral system is crucial for a fairer democracy and better governance.
