University of Huddersfield student leader praises Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney for defying Conservative whips over tuition fees

Dec 11 2010 by Barry Gibson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A STUDENT leader has praised Colne Valley’s MP for voting against his party on tuition fees.

Jason McCartney, pictured, was one of only six Conservatives to oppose the Government’s plans to increase the maximum annual charge from £3,290 to £9,000.

Yesterday University of Huddersfield Students’ Union president Matt Christie praised the MP.

He said: “Students at Huddersfield are well aware of the fact that violence solves nothing and that talking to MPs is key to having their voices heard. We are grateful to Jason McCartney especially for demonstrating this.”

Yesterday the Conservative revealed the pressure he was put under by party whips on the eve of Thursday’s vote.

Mr McCartney said: “It was really difficult, I was called in for serious discussions.

“It wasn’t all nicey-nicey. They put it on the line for me in no uncertain terms that they needed me to support the Government.”

And Mr McCartney revealed he made up his mind to vote against the tuition fee rise just an hour before the vote on Thursday.

He said: “At 4.30pm I finally confirmed to the whips the way I would be voting.

“It was a busy and emotional day, but I know that I made the right decision.”

The tuition fee rise passed by 323 votes to 302. Twenty-one Lib Dem MPs voted against the increase, with another eight abstaining.