COLNE Valley MP Jason McCartney has defied his party and Prime Minister to vote against raising tuition fees.

Mr McCartney, who was elected in the General Election in May this year, had previously said he was unsure how he was going to vote today.

The Government's proposals were passed by 323 votes to 302 meaning tuition fees can be raised to a maximum of £9,000.

He used Twitter after the vote to break the news that he had rebelled against his party then issued the statement below:

"In the past hour I have voted against the motion to treble tuition fees to £9,000.

"I think this was far too big a hike in fees. It’s my opinion that the trebling of fees would saddle students with huge levels of debt and deter many from poorer backgrounds from applying to University. I believe it sends out the wrong message.

"While I do believe that the cost of a university education should be shared between the student and the government, the proposed increase was just too much for me to support.

"It was with a heavy heart that I voted against the Government despite a number of worthwhile concessions, including a hardship fund for poorer students, being made this week. But when I was elected I promised to be a strong local voice for my Colne Valley constituency and to represent the views of my 81,000 constituents in Westminster. That’s what I have done.

"This week I have had face to face meetings with Kirklees College students, the president of Huddersfield University Student’s union, the Prime Minister and the Universities Secretary. I’ve had phone calls with parents, other students and senior staff at Huddersfield University.

"I have received hundreds of emails. I’ve also listened to the other side of the argument with hard working taxpayers questioning why they should subsidise university education so heavily.

"As a former university lecturer, I believe that the length and type of course on offer at our universities needs to be looked at. However, this vote wasn’t about that. All in all it was the most difficult decision I’ve made so far as the MP for Colne Valley.

"I took no pleasure in going through the same lobby as the Labour Party, who originally introduced tuition fees, and have offered no viable alternative. They have flip flopped all over the place with an unworkable graduate tax. Shame on the Labour Party who have played petty partisan politics with an issue that affects the futures of hundreds of thousands of young people.

"Finally, I utterly condemn the politically motivated violence and intimidation by a handful of troublemakers outside Parliament today, which completely contrasts with the wonderful, articulate and thoughtful young people that I’ve held constructive discussions with this week.