Proceeding contribution from Barry Sheerman (Labour) in the House of Commons on Thursday, 9 December 2010. It occurred during Debate on Higher Education Fees.
Higher Education Fees
We tend to get passionate in debates on such things. In fact nobody won the election. The Conservative party did not win the election because it did not get a majority. I was reflecting on that matter. When I used to teach politics in a university, I can remember many people arguing that it would be wonderful to have a coalition because it would temper the debate. People would not rush into daft policy because the minority party would say, ““Hold your horses. We're not sure of this. Let's think carefully, let's do research and let's talk to the people in the sector.”” That is what we thought a coalition Government might do. I do not know if I was ever really persuaded of what a coalition would do. I believe that coalition Government leads to weak leadership, weak Government and some people getting their way by trampling on democracy. The higher education sector in this country is the best in the world. I think it is better than in America. The US might get more international students but, pound for pound, professor for professor, student for student, we have the best system in the world.
Secondary information
- Type
- Proceeding contribution
- Reference
- 520 c567-8
- Session
- 2010-12
- Chamber / Committee
- House of Commons chamber
- Subjects
- Access Devolved matters Admissions Disadvantaged Applications Fees and charges Grants Education maintenance allowance Higher education Humanities Earned income Northern Ireland Loans Low pay Part-time education Scotland Universities Wales Repayments Taxation Students Student numbers
- Legislation
- Higher Education Act 2004
- Higher Education (Basic Amount) (England) Regulations 2010
- Link
- View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk
Librarians' tools
- Timestamp
- 2023-12-15 14:00:31 +0000
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- http://data.parliament.uk/pimsdata/hansard/CONTRIBUTION_692455
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