• Tim Farron: (UK) Lib Dems "deserved 9/10" for university fees negotiation
    53 replies, posted
[quote]The Lib Dems should have pushed harder to prevent an increase in tuition fees when negotiating the coalition agreement with the Conservatives, party president Tim Farron has said. Leader Nick Clegg apologised last week for making and breaking a 2010 election pledge not to raise costs. Mr Farron said this should have been a "red line" issue when it came to reaching a deal with the Tories. But, overall, he awarded the Lib Dems' negotiating team "nine out of 10". No political party won an overall Commons majority at the last general election. During the aftermath of the election, the Lib Dems held talks with the Conservatives and Labour, eventually choosing to set up a coalition with the former. At a fringe meeting at the Lib Dems' annual conference in Brighton, Mr Farron - who does not hold a ministerial post - praised his party's team of Danny Alexander, David Laws, Andrew Stunell and Jim Wallace, saying: "They did a blinding job." [b]But he suggested they had not done enough to protect the pledge on tuition fees, which "should have been a red line, in my opinion".[/b] After forming the government, the Lib Dem leadership said it would abstain on a parliamentary vote to raise the maximum annual tuition fees in England from £3,200 to £9,000 a year. However, it eventually backed the Conservatives. Mr Clegg apologised last week, saying: "There's no easy way to say this: we made a pledge, we didn't stick to it - and for that I am sorry." Mr Farron revealed that his party leader had "rung me up a week before to say he was doing it. "I said 'I can't predict what the outcome will be. It's an incredibly gutsy thing to do, but what are we apologising for?'" Mr Farron said that, had the "red line" over tuition fees been agreed before the talks with the Conservatives, he "would have apologised [to voters] for screwing up the negotiating stage". Of the agreement, which was reached amid considerable uncertainty about the global economy, he said: "We did it in a rushed way, in three or four days, but that's understandable." [b]Mr Farron added: "The team deserved nine out of 10 for it, which was pretty, pretty good."[/b] He said the Lib Dems had managed to get "70%" of their manifesto pledges into the coalition agreement. On Monday, former Lib Dem leader Lord Ashdown said the party had been "opportunistic" in offering to oppose any increase when it was unlikely the party would win a majority at the election, and was likely to govern in coalition with Labour or the Conservatives, who had different policies.[/quote] [url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-19712297[/url] :v:
I don't understand why the Lib Dems chose the tories over Labour.
[QUOTE=Thom12255;37796964]I don't understand why the Lib Dems chose the tories over Labour.[/QUOTE] They would have had a smaller chance of their policies actually getting through because the conservatives had a majority and would make life very difficult for them.
[QUOTE=RagamuffinIIII;37796982]They would have had a smaller chance of their policies actually getting through because the conservatives had a majority and would make life very difficult for them.[/QUOTE] Because that worked out well, right?
[QUOTE=Thom12255;37796964]I don't understand why the Lib Dems chose the tories over Labour.[/QUOTE] "what could possibly go wrong?"
[QUOTE=Thom12255;37796964]I don't understand why the Lib Dems chose the tories over Labour.[/QUOTE] Every thread Majority = 326 Labour 254 Lib Dem 57 LibLab = 311
The problem with UK politics is that we don't have any party leader that's even remotely likeable, at least in the three major parties. David Cameron? Jesus christ I'm fed up of that smug grin and posh-boy attitude. Nick Clegg? His surname sounds like something you throw up and Ed Milliband looks like Ray Romano. 3 misses. These politicians aren't in anyway relatable to, and I'm dreading the next elections.
[QUOTE=smurfy;37797005]Every thread Majority = 326 Labour 231 Lib Dem 57 LibLab = 288[/QUOTE] Some of the other parties were willing to join to make a majority though.
labour, conservative and libdem should all join forces as one unity and never stop winning [editline]editline[/editline] call it ingsoc
[QUOTE=RAG Frag;37797066]Some of the otehr parties were willing to join to make a majority though.[/QUOTE] I don't think the other parties worth teaming up with won enough votes either you've got the greens and that's about it. the rest are scum like UKIP and the BNP
I'd give them a 0/10. Now I'm paying 9000 GBP instead of 3200 GBP a year. I have to pay that back with interest * 4 years when I finish university because I had to take a student loan. Utterly fucking us over.
Tim Farron is somewhat right, though they shouldn't have simply pushed harder; they should have fought TOOTH AND NAIL to keep uni prices at the normal level, and even push them back. I mean, seriously, £9k a year and they don't even supply us with the things we need? If anything, the extra 3k a year should have been put towards supplying each student with the things they need; sure I got my free books for this year (UEL plan to help freshers, I guess), but that was only roughly £80 saved; why haven't they given us other stuff like Adobe software? Then again there's also the progress bursaries across the three years; being on track with all your modules apparently nets you an extra £500 by the end of the first year, then £300 per year for the next two years. But all in all, the bursaries only add up to £1100 in total across three years; barely anything in comparison to the hefty £27k student debt that's typical of the modern day. Like so many things, I blame the bloody Tories. The money that COULD go towards helping students get what they need is probably lining the pockets of special interest groups or being used to fund another fucking nuclear sub. This kind of thievery makes me sympathize with student protestors; not the rioters, just the protestors. If anything, this country needs socialist democracy; combining the freedoms of the democratic ideal with the potential universal benefit of socialism, wherein everyone can actually afford to survive and live without having to subsist on baked beans, piss-flavoured lager and a cardboard housing estate.
[QUOTE=DainBramageStudios;37797124]I don't think the other parties worth teaming up with won enough votes either you've got the greens and that's about it. the rest are scum like UKIP and the BNP[/QUOTE] a green party representative came to our college and he was actually a really chill guy. i don't know too much about their politics since i haven't really looked into them, but i agreed with a vast majority of the points he made and overall he seemed to care way more than the tory/libdem/labour mps i've met in my lifetime. it's a shame they rarely get more than one or two seats in parliament
£50k of debt for a 3 year course 9/10 nick clegg good job thanks mate
[QUOTE=rexxar;37797057]The problem with UK politics is that we don't have any party leader that's even remotely likeable, at least in the three major parties. David Cameron? Jesus christ I'm fed up of that smug grin and posh-boy attitude. Nick Clegg? His surname sounds like something you throw up and Ed Milliband looks like Ray Romano. 3 misses. These politicians aren't in anyway relatable to, and I'm dreading the next elections.[/QUOTE] This isn't a yankee-doodle-day popularity contest to determine who gets to lead the country based off looks. I couldn't care if the prime minster looked like a dogs turd, as long as he was smart, practical and educated and knew how to run a country that's fine with me.
[QUOTE=DainBramageStudios;37797124]I don't think the other parties worth teaming up with won enough votes either you've got the greens and that's about it. the rest are scum like UKIP and the BNP[/QUOTE] Why do you classify UKIP as scum but not Greens? I do agree that the BNP are scum though, Nick Griffin constantly lies through his teeth and what he says is a load of shit anyway! [QUOTE=Bobie;37797279]a green party representative came to our college and he was actually a really chill guy. i don't know too much about their politics since i haven't really looked into them, but i agreed with a vast majority of the points he made and overall he seemed to care way more than the tory/libdem/labour mps i've met in my lifetime. it's a shame they rarely get more than one or two seats in parliament[/QUOTE] Their policies on Education are absolutely brilliant but their stance with the EU and Energy is just ridiculous. [QUOTE=rexxar;37797057]The problem with UK politics is that we don't have any party leader that's even remotely likeable, at least in the three major parties. David Cameron? Jesus christ I'm fed up of that smug grin and posh-boy attitude. Nick Clegg? His surname sounds like something you throw up and Ed Milliband looks like Ray Romano. 3 misses. These politicians aren't in anyway relatable to, and I'm dreading the next elections.[/QUOTE] There are other parties, you know. Have a look at UKIP and the Green party, they are two very different parties. I think the Greens are a very serious alternative on a local level and European but not further than that while UKIP are a serious alternative at Local, European and even General elections now if the opinion polls are anything to go by. Personally I could never vote for the greens, their Energy and EU policies are the complete opposite of what I believe but everyone has a different view so maybe they are what you are looking for.
[QUOTE=Noss;37797498]£50k of debt for a 3 year course 9/10 nick clegg good job thanks mate[/QUOTE] this is whats stopping me from going to uni
[QUOTE=rexxar;37797057]The problem with UK politics is that we don't have any party leader that's even remotely likeable, at least in the three major parties. David Cameron? Jesus christ I'm fed up of that smug grin and posh-boy attitude. Nick Clegg? His surname sounds like something you throw up and Ed Milliband looks like Ray Romano. 3 misses. These politicians aren't in anyway relatable to, and I'm dreading the next elections.[/QUOTE] That's because you are not electing a leader, we have a Queen for that, you are electing a representative in parliament.
I'm going to be taking a 7 fucking year course for architecture. I don't even want to begin to think the debt I will now be in. Honestly go fuck your self Cleggy. [editline]25th September 2012[/editline] I know it'll be worth it in the end, but still...
[QUOTE=jamzzster;37797763]I'm going to be taking a 7 fucking year course for architecture. I don't even want to begin to think the debt I will now be in. Honestly go fuck your self Cleggy. [editline]25th September 2012[/editline] I know it'll be worth it in the end, but still...[/QUOTE] you don't get charged 9000 for placement years
[QUOTE=DainBramageStudios;37797124]I don't think the other parties worth teaming up with won enough votes either you've got the greens and that's about it. the rest are scum like UKIP and the BNP[/QUOTE] UKIP and the BNP don't have any seats in Parliament thanks to first past the post, and the Greens only have 1 seat But for a LibLab coalition to work they'd need at least 3 other parties to join
[QUOTE=Vasili;37797689]this is whats stopping me from going to uni[/QUOTE] Aren't degrees supposed to get you a higher paying job? So the amount you pay back for your student fee isn't going to cripple your income.
[QUOTE=Coffee;37797918]Aren't degrees supposed to get you a higher paying job? So the amount you pay back for your student fee isn't going to cripple your income.[/QUOTE] Except that requires getting a job, and with the amount of jobs available...
[QUOTE=Coffee;37797918]Aren't degrees supposed to get you a higher paying job? So the amount you pay back for your student fee isn't going to cripple your income.[/QUOTE] The operative word being "supposed".
[QUOTE=Coffee;37797918]Aren't degrees supposed to get you a higher paying job? So the amount you pay back for your student fee isn't going to cripple your income.[/QUOTE] lol yeah in spirit, most people cannot even get a job with their useless degrees. Going to uni doesn't mean a lot anymore, its more of a social badge now than anything. That doesn't mean that its acceptable to make education stupidly expensive when most countries in Europe have free uni.
I can't help but think I'd have liked the Tories if they actually went along with the policies that saw them obtain the most of the votes. Cameron is such a yes man.
[QUOTE=Scrappa;37797681]Why do you classify UKIP as scum but not Greens? I do agree that the BNP are scum though, Nick Griffin constantly lies through his teeth and what he says is a load of shit anyway! Their policies on Education are absolutely brilliant but their stance with the EU and Energy is just ridiculous. There are other parties, you know. Have a look at UKIP and the Green party, they are two very different parties. I think the Greens are a very serious alternative on a local level and European but not further than that while UKIP are a serious alternative at Local, European and even General elections now if the opinion polls are anything to go by. Personally I could never vote for the greens, their Energy and EU policies are the complete opposite of what I believe but everyone has a different view so maybe they are what you are looking for.[/QUOTE] libertarianism is reason enough to dislike UKIP. it's the exact opposite of what the uk needs and is a pony filled dreamland for those who dislike taxes and fail to understand reality or scientific fact. if UKIP came into power the defence budget would increase exponentially, the NHS would be sold off and the rich would cease to have as many regulations douse all of this in nationalism and racism and you get UKIP
[QUOTE=Vasili;37797970]lol yeah in spirit, most people cannot even get a job with their useless degrees. Going to uni doesn't mean a lot anymore, its more of a social badge now than anything. That doesn't mean that its acceptable to make education stupidly expensive when most countries in Europe have free uni.[/QUOTE] If degrees such as Engineering or Physics weren't overshadowed and swamped by stupid ones like 'iPod studies' and 'David Beckham' (Yep. They exist!') we should go for it. Unfortunately, those easier ones are being taken which is why the fees are now in place: to pay for the vast numbers that go to uni. Damn, this system is stupid.
[QUOTE=Bobie;37798001]libertarianism is reason enough to dislike UKIP. it's the exact opposite of what the uk needs and is a pony filled dreamland for those who dislike taxes and fail to understand reality or scientific fact. if UKIP came into power the defence budget would increase exponentially, the NHS would be sold off and the rich would cease to have as many regulations douse all of this in nationalism and racism and you get UKIP[/QUOTE] that isn't libertarianism it's just straight reactionary conservatism libertarians are opposed to military spending, nationalism and racism
[QUOTE=DainBramageStudios;37798102]that isn't libertarianism it's just straight reactionary conservatism libertarians are opposed to military spending, nationalism and racism[/QUOTE] they are a self-described economic libertarian party. not that i care what umbrella they're under really, i know their fiscal and social policies and i disagree with most of them (except for their thoughts education which are actually pretty cool)
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