EURO-MP tells Labour MPs not to back down

4.31.11pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 26th Jan 2004

Warwickshire EURO-MP Liz Lynne today urged rebel Labour MPs not to back

down on their threat to defeat the top-up fees bill.

Speaking earlier the Liberal Democrat MEP, said:

"West Midlands Labour MPs should not be bought off with a watered down

version of the bill. They were voted in to government in 1997 promising

not to introduce Tuition Fees but turned their back on that promise only

months later. Now they are threatening to do the same again with "top up

fees". West Midland's students may have forgiven them once but will not do

so again.

"Plans for student finance should be paid by raising taxation on people

earning over £100,000. If the government succeeds with its bill a graduate

earning £15,000 a year will pay a higher tax rate than an MP. How can a

Labour MP possibly justify that?"

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Liz Lynne has already collected signatures against tuition fees through

the petition on her website www.Lizlynne.org.uk.

For further information, comment or to book an interview, please telephone

Liz Lynne on 0032 2284 7521 (Brussels) or 077644 52725 (mobile) or Press

Officer Stuart Ritchie on 01789 266354 or 07833668158(mobile).