Cardiff students will make their final protest in the city today ahead of tomorrow's Commons vote on a rise in tuition fees.
Cardiff central MP Jenny Willott told her constituents – many of which are students – that she would not support a rise in tuition fees, but it is still unclear whether she will vote against the motion or abstain.
Education minister Leighton Andrews last week said Welsh domiciled students would not have to foot the bill – but English counterparts could pay up to £9,000 a year on fees if the motion is passed. Students have gathered support through a series of protests in recent weeks.
National media yesterday reported Willott may resign as parliamentary private secretary to Chris Hulne – the secretary of state for energy climate change - if she decides to vote against the party line. Senior figures in the Liberal Democrat party in Cardiff have hinted the whip will call on MPs to abstain, but that Willott will continue to vote against – these allegations have been unconfirmed by Willott.
Two weeks ago Willott told yourCardiff she intended to vote against tuition fees – but later withdrew her comments – saying she had been misquoted. When students planned a protest outside her constituency office on Friday – her surgery was closed to constituents and she posted a statement on her website.
Since the reports in the South Wales Echo, Willott has shied away from speaking to students protesters or the press on the issue and when Guardian Cardiff tried to contact her again this week, we were given the same statement:
"Despite reports in the press, my position on tuition fees is very simple and has not changed:
"I will not support a rise in tuition fees.
"I will decide whether I am going to vote against or abstain on the final vote, depending on what is in the motion. I will make this decision based on discussions with and feedback from my constituents to whom I am ultimately accountable.
"I have not backtracked or changed my mind and have said exactly the same thing to all the journalists and residents with whom I've discussed this."
Students will rally outside Cardiff university students' union at 12pm and plan to join a mass demonstration in London tomorrow.
Cardiff Liberal Democrat councillor Gavin Cox said MPs should stick to their word as a matter of principle. He said:
"This isn't about student finance. This is about honouring a pledge pure and simple. It doesn't matter that the package being proposed by the Government is actually quite fair and goes further than the present system to assist students from poorer backgrounds. But it does matter if politicians go back on their word."
Cox said coalitions would naturally create some levels of compromise – but not for basic principles. He added:
"I have shared my thoughts and concerns directly with Nick Clegg on behalf of the students living in my ward of Splott who have personally approached me for their support."
Update: Nick Clegg has said he will vote for a rise in tuition fees and a PPS must toe the party line or face resignation.
