Rebel MP blasts Blair’s support for top-up fees
A “rebel” Labour backbench MP has launched a searing attack on the Tony Blair’s support for university top-up fees.
Barnsley Central MP Eric Illsley urged Tony Blair to drop the controversial policy after the prime minister said Labour MPs would be “betraying” the country by voting down the Higher Education Bill.
Mr Illsley described Mr Blair’s comments at the weekend – when he launched his “fortnight of persuasion” on top-up fees – as “crap” and the higher education policy as “elitist”.
Mr Illsley told the Yorkshire Post: “If he is going to carry on like this, he ought to stand aside and let somebody else have a go.
“Who the hell is he to tell me I am betraying the country? It’s crap.”
Mr Illsley said Mr Blair had himself “betrayed the country’ by reneging on a manifesto pledge not to introduce fees.
The prime minister will today defend the plans for variable tuition fees of up to £3,000 per year when he takes part in a radio phone-in.
