Carol issues student fees challenge at visit to New College

12.00.00am GMT Fri 5th Feb 2010

Lib Dem Parliamentary candidate Carol Woods has challenged the city's Labour MP to come clean over student fees.

Carol Woods, visiting New College in Durham to take part in a question and answer session with the students, said she was wholly opposed to student fees and that the Labour MP should make her position on the issue clear.

The National Union of Students recently listed Durham on its list of 20 seats where they would be calling on candidates to come clean on fees. Lib Dem Carol Woods has signed up to the NUS campaign by pledging to vote against any rise in student fees and to pressure the Government for a fairer alternative. Durham's Labour MP however, has failed to back the campaign.

Carol said, "Speaking at New College today many of the students complained that all the parties appear to be the same. But if you look at an issue like tuition fees - which is particularly key for a young people considering going to University - the difference between the parties could not be clearer.

"The Lib Dems will abolish fees and the Labour party will not. It's as simple as that.

"I have been an outspoken critic of student fees for years and I am happy to pledge my full support to the NUS campaign. I am now calling on our MP to break her silence on fees and decide whether she backs this campaign or not. The student population of Durham deserve to know.