A better future for our children - Tuition Fees must go!

7.25.00pm GMT Sat 14th Mar 2009

Party Leader Nick Clegg MP joined Sarah Carr and Paul Keetch MP to hear from pupils of John Kyrle last year.

Sarah Carr, Hereford and South Herefordshire Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate has spoken up for thousands of parents and young people from across Herefordshire crippled by mounting debt from University tuition and top up fees. At the Liberal Democrat Spring Conference in Harrogate (6-8 March), Sarah spoke in favour of the Liberal Democrat policy to scrap fees for full and part-time first degree students. Sarah said,

"It is right in principle and practice to abolish University tuition fees. The government should not be encouraging people, especially young people, into a lifetime of debt."

The conference focussed on higher, further and school education and childcare policies. Delegates also enjoyed an impressive line-up of speakers including party leader Nick Clegg MP, Vince Cable MP, Simon Hughes MP, new Liberal Democrat Welsh leader Kirsty Williams AM and also a guest appearance from Governor Howard Dean, the Chair of the Democratic National Committee during Barack Obama's US Presidential election campaign. Sarah Carr met with Governor Dean over the weekend to directly hear advice from the Obama campaign.

The conference closed with a passionate speech from party leader Nick Clegg talking about how Britain can choose a better future. Nick laid the blame for Britain's economic crisis and political decay squarely at the door of both Labour and the Conservatives. He said,

"A never-ending cycle of red-blue, blue-red government has got us into this mess - it is never going to get us out." Nick said the Liberal Democrats should be proud of their progressive policies and enduring liberal values:

"Let us say it loud and clear. We are the only party who will put money into people's pockets with fair tax cuts. The only party to offer universal childcare and smaller classes in our primary schools. The only party who would use Gordon Brown's wasted billions to create thousands of jobs today by investing in homes, hospitals, schools and public transport to build the green economy of tomorrow. The only party that will rebuild the jobs, homes and hopes this recession has destroyed."