Students threaten MPs over fees

Students are warning MPs they will vote on the issue of fees

Student leaders are threatening to "name and shame" MPs who do not sign up to a student union campaign against raising tuition fees in England.

Students are warning they will mobilise the student vote in university towns at the next general election over.

"Our message is clear: candidates must vote with us, or students won't vote for them," say the students.

A rally by students against raising tuition fees is to be held in Westminster on Wednesday.

This week saw the launch of a cross-party review of fees and student funding, with the outcome not due to be published until after the general election.

'Cosy consensus'

It will consider the future of student support, including the cost of loans and whether fees should be raised about the current limit of £3,225 per year.

Student leaders have been angered by this arrangement which is likely to mean that tuition fees will not be part of the election campaign for either Labour or the Conservatives.

Writing to the Guardian newspaper, students attacked this as a "cosy consensus of silence".

"As student leaders we are appalled by Labour and Conservative attempts to duck difficult questions on student fees and finance at the next general election."

They also accused the review body, to be chaired by former-BP boss Lord Browne, of being "designed to stitch up students with yet another inflation-busting hike in tuition fees".

The NUS president, Wes Streeting, also argues that there is no public support for raising fees.

"The vast majority of the general public is against higher fees, and voters deserve to know where their MP stands on this key issue," said Mr Streeting.

"Today students are making it clear to politicians that if they refuse to speak out against raising the cap on fees, we will hit them where it hurts - at the ballot box."