West MPs vote on top-up fees

Students protested against the plans on Tuesday

Only one Labour MP in the West voted against the government's controversial bill on top-up fees.

Dr Roger Berry (Kingswood) was one of 72 Labour rebels on Tuesday night who unsuccessfully tried to stop the Higher Education Bill.

All the Conservative and Lib Dem MPs in the region also voted against the bill, which was passed by just five votes

Eight from 11 West Labour MPs voted for the bill, while two - Valerie Davey and David Drew - abstained.

VOTE NUMBERS MPs voting for: 316 MPs voting against: 311 Labour MPs opposed: 72 Three Tories did not vote against the plans List of Labour rebels

Can Okar, President of Bristol University's Student Union, told the BBC: "It is never nice to lose. But we still have hope.

"Given that the government won by only five votes and lots of MPs abstained, we see a chance to get rid of variability.

"We have always denied that you can have a market in higher education, and we will be trying our best to get rid of this in the coming months."

Labour MPs in the West who voted with the government Jean Corston (Bristol East) Parmjit Dhanda (Gloucester) Julia Drown (Swindon South) Doug Naysmith (Bristol North West) Diana Organ (Forest of Dean) Dawn Primarolo (Bristol South) Michael Wills (Swindon North) Dan Norris (Wansdyke)

Polly Mackwood, 22, from Somerset, studying English, said: "I'm not surprised the Bill has got through this stage, but I'm very disappointed.

"As it stands, my debt when I leave will be around £12,000, because I've had to take out loans to cover my current tuition fees.

"Under the new system, people could graduate owing £21,000 minimum.

"It's quite a frightening thing. By the time you get to your early 20s, you want to think about your first mortgage. You don't want to have to delay that by 10 years."

University chancellors welcomed the vote.

Professor Eric Thomas, vice-chancellor of Bristol University, said: "This is great news. Provided the Bill is not watered down during the committee stage, it will mean the university is able to raise the standard of educational provision for its undergraduates.

"Investment in teaching, educational resources and facilities will increase and the university will be better able to maintain its competitive position internationally.

"The abolition of up-front fees, the package of support for poorer students and the emphasis on widening participation are all very welcome."