Proceeding contribution from Stephen Williams (Liberal Democrat) in the House of Commons on Thursday, 28 October 2010. It occurred during Debate on Comprehensive Spending Review.
Comprehensive Spending Review
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his point. Yes, I certainly did address many student audiences during the election in Bristol West, and I made it quite clear that in an ideal world, and in ideal financial circumstances, the Liberal Democrats would have wished to abolish tuition fees from the outset. Financial circumstances did not allow us to do so, however, and that is why we had a phased plan. I spoke at the launch of the National Union of Students pledge on working with the Government for a fairer system of student finance, and I am still working with the Government and the NUS to produce such a fair system. If the Government come forward with a fair system, I will support them; if they do not, I will not. We know that Labour planned to make billions of pounds' worth of cuts whatever happened after the election; it has been confirmed in many memoirs. But Labour Members have since been in deficit denial. They have been in denial about the need to tackle the deficit itself, and, as today's debate has shown, they have not been able to give us a single Government measure that they would support, or to put forward an alternative themselves. The coalition Government are taking the necessary steps to restore order and stability to our public finances. That will restore confidence among British businesses and confidence among countries abroad that Britain is serious about tackling its desperate situation. Confidence and low interest rates are the bedrock for ensuring that our businesses can grow.
Secondary information
- Type
- Proceeding contribution
- Reference
- 517 c531-2
- Session
- 2010-12
- Chamber / Committee
- House of Commons chamber
- Subjects
- Cost effectiveness Government departments Economic growth Public expenditure Economic recession
- Link
- View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk
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