Tories back Tuition Fees - so much for caring compassionate Conservatism

10.11.00am GMT Tue 10th Jan 2006

David Cameron and his Conservative Party yesterday performed yet another u-turn. This time on student finance saying that it supports student tuition fees, they had previously promised to scrap all fees, including top-ups being being imposed on students in England.

Cameron told a group of sixth formers he supported tuition fees - reversing the party's position at the last general election. He said "On the issue of student fees, I'll say something that's probably a bit unpopular in the room, I'm afraid I think we're going to have to keep student fees, and I'll tell you why. You want to go to universities that are well-funded, [with] good tutors, good facilities and I want as many people who think they're going to benefit from university to be able to go. If you want those things - and as you also know we've also got to keep taxes down in this country - the money's got to come from somewhere.Yes, I'm afraid students are going to have to make a contribution."