Support 110 years of independent journalism.

  1. Politics
20 September 2012

Even the Lib Dems can’t agree why they broke their fees pledge

Equalities minister Jo Swinson contradicts Clegg's tuition fees apology.

By George Eaton

In his tuition fees apology, Nick Clegg made it clear that he thought the Lib Dems shouldn’t have made the pledge in the first place. This was, he said, because there was “no money around”. I’ve already explained why he was wrong to use this defence, but it’s worth noting that not everyone in his party has got the message.

Earlier this afternoon, equalities minister Jo Swinson said:

Had we had enough seats to form a majority Liberal Democrat government, we would have implemented our manifesto.

If even the Lib Dems can’t agree why they broke their pledge, it’s hard to see why anyone should take them seriously.

Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday - from the New Statesman. The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. Stay up to date with NS events, subscription offers & updates.
  • Administration / Office
  • Arts and Culture
  • Board Member
  • Business / Corporate Services
  • Client / Customer Services
  • Communications
  • Construction, Works, Engineering
  • Education, Curriculum and Teaching
  • Environment, Conservation and NRM
  • Facility / Grounds Management and Maintenance
  • Finance Management
  • Health - Medical and Nursing Management
  • HR, Training and Organisational Development
  • Information and Communications Technology
  • Information Services, Statistics, Records, Archives
  • Infrastructure Management - Transport, Utilities
  • Legal Officers and Practitioners
  • Librarians and Library Management
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • OH&S, Risk Management
  • Operations Management
  • Planning, Policy, Strategy
  • Printing, Design, Publishing, Web
  • Projects, Programs and Advisors
  • Property, Assets and Fleet Management
  • Public Relations and Media
  • Purchasing and Procurement
  • Quality Management
  • Science and Technical Research and Development
  • Security and Law Enforcement
  • Service Delivery
  • Sport and Recreation
  • Travel, Accommodation, Tourism
  • Wellbeing, Community / Social Services
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
THANK YOU

Content from our partners
Why we must prioritise treating long-term health conditions
It’s time to reimagine the lifecycle of our devices
On the road to Cop28