Political amnesia and Labour cynicism?

We need to remember, they've all been at it.

The Liberal Democrats are the first party ever to renege on a commitment.

Well, that’s what some in the Labour party would have us believe, and what many students right now seem to believe. But they’re wrong. And they know they’re wrong. For Labour to clobber the Lib Dems in every sentence, again and again driving home to the public that they have gone back on their word, amounts to sinister opportunism, crass hypocrisy and amnesic deception. Similarly, students burning effigies of Nick Clegg are deceiving themselves. They would do well to remember that all three major parties have completed a u-turn on tuition fees policy, and to question the motives of the party backing their cause.

In 1997, Labour was the government to introduce tuition fees. This after Tony Blair had categorically said before the general election, "Labour has no plans to introduce tuition fees for higher education." (Evening Standard, 14 April 1997). More recently, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor also completed a conspicuous u-turn. For the last six or so years Alan Johnson has been in no doubt that introducing a graduate tax would be ill-conceived, however, this week he suddenly had a change of heart and declared it a much fairer policy than increased tuition fees. What a great example of tactless opportunism. Student protesters should not be blind to it, and realise that as their dissent gathers support, Labour bigwigs are being crudely forced to change their stance so as to appear on their side.

It’s noteworthy to remember also that the overlooked party in this saga, the Conservatives, have also experienced a reversal on tuition fees policy. The 2005 election manifesto, written by David Cameron, stated that the Tories would ‘restore choice to higher education by scrapping fees’. Now of course they believe that the opposite will create increased choice.

So, obvious it is now that both Labour and the Tories have also broken their word when it comes to university funding. Interestingly though, they both won elections outright and had the opportunity to pursue their commitments without compromise, but didn’t. What hypocrisy and forgetfulness this then shows the constant Lib Dem bashing to be, as they’ve had no such prospect after joining a coalition as junior partner, in order to provide a stable government. Labour have perched themselves on a high horse which they have no right to be on, while students need to open their eyes and see the real reasoning behind the party’s support for their cause.

Tories relax as Clegg and Co take the heat

Cameron and colleagues are enjoying an easy ride.

Ask yourself, when was the last time you saw a senior conservative on the TV or radio defending the trebling of tuition fees? Although it is their policy, the Conservatives might as well have been lying on a sandy beach on the other side of the world. Nobody seems to care about their motives behind such a controversial policy. People are too absorbed by the Lib Dem pledge-breaking saga, bringing joy to Conservatives as they relax, out of the political spotlight.

Make no mistake about it, the Tory cuts are ideological. If still in government when the economy returns to impressive growth, do you think they will bring back public services they now ‘have’ to scrap? Of course not, don’t be silly. But, anger towards the Lib Dems over tuition fees is having the straightforward effect of preventing anybody from realising or caring about the Conservative’s long term plans. Despite one infamous student protest at Conservative HQ, Clegg and Co have simply become a veil hiding the ideological motives behind Tory support for tuition fee rises and the wider cuts. Now, for a second, imagine the situation if the Lib Dems were not in such turmoil. People left, right and centre would be shouting ‘nasty Tories’ and comparing Cameron’s plans to the divisive retreat of the state which Mrs T enacted in the 1980s. Thus, those at Milbank Tower breathe a sigh of relief as their coalition junior partners feel the heat.

On a side note, minimal scrutinisation of the motives and intentions the Conservatives validate the tuition fee rises with is very telling. It highlights the ineffectiveness of Ed Miliband and the Labour Party to direct media and public attention onto David Cameron and his colleagues. If the Conservatives were under any significant amount of pressure on the issue then serious damage could be done to the heart of the coalition. As it stands though, Labour will gain very little from a surge of distrust towards the Lib Dems. The backbone of the government will remain strong as long as Clegg and Co remain on board, regardless of their popularity. Therefore, the party in opposition will continue to have little sway throughout this Parliament unless they can find a way to seriously harm Conservative popularity.