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Student tuition fee posters removed from stations | Student tuition fee posters removed from stations |
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Student posters calling MPs who failed to oppose tuition fee rises "liars" have been removed from railway stations in England. | Student posters calling MPs who failed to oppose tuition fee rises "liars" have been removed from railway stations in England. |
Network Rail bosses deemed the National Union of Students (NUS) posters "political" and ordered them to be taken down. | Network Rail bosses deemed the National Union of Students (NUS) posters "political" and ordered them to be taken down. |
The posters in London, Manchester and Sheffield were aimed at about 30 MPs who the NUS says broke their promises. | The posters in London, Manchester and Sheffield were aimed at about 30 MPs who the NUS says broke their promises. |
The Liberal Democrats say the current system is fairer than under Labour. | The Liberal Democrats say the current system is fairer than under Labour. |
NUS president Toni Pearce said the campaign would continue. | NUS president Toni Pearce said the campaign would continue. |
'No political activity' | 'No political activity' |
A spokesman for Network Rail said no political activity of any kind was allowed on railway stations, including campaigning by candidates and political posters. | A spokesman for Network Rail said no political activity of any kind was allowed on railway stations, including campaigning by candidates and political posters. |
But Ms Pearce said this felt like a "mass gagging attempt on students". | But Ms Pearce said this felt like a "mass gagging attempt on students". |
"You can delete a billboard image but you can't erase betrayal. There are a fleet of vans travelling the country right now targeting pledge-breaker seats across the country, and will do until 8 May. | "You can delete a billboard image but you can't erase betrayal. There are a fleet of vans travelling the country right now targeting pledge-breaker seats across the country, and will do until 8 May. |
"Lies were told. Seats were secured because of them, and we just won't tolerate it." | "Lies were told. Seats were secured because of them, and we just won't tolerate it." |
The station posters were put up on Thursday, but were removed after railway bosses intervened. | The station posters were put up on Thursday, but were removed after railway bosses intervened. |
The advertisements with the slogan "liar, liar" are aimed at the MPs who, the NUS says, failed to keep their 2010 pre-election pledge to oppose fee increases for universities in England. Most of those being targeted are Liberal Democrats. | The advertisements with the slogan "liar, liar" are aimed at the MPs who, the NUS says, failed to keep their 2010 pre-election pledge to oppose fee increases for universities in England. Most of those being targeted are Liberal Democrats. |
"We won't let them trade lies for power again," said Ms Pearce. | "We won't let them trade lies for power again," said Ms Pearce. |
The coalition government's decision to raise tuition fees in England to a maximum of £9,000 provoked a series of sometimes violent student protests. | The coalition government's decision to raise tuition fees in England to a maximum of £9,000 provoked a series of sometimes violent student protests. |
'Apology' | 'Apology' |
In the current election campaign, the NUS is seeking to mobilise the student vote against MPs who had promised to oppose higher fees but then voted to almost treble them. | In the current election campaign, the NUS is seeking to mobilise the student vote against MPs who had promised to oppose higher fees but then voted to almost treble them. |
The campaign is aimed at 28 Liberal Democrats, including Nick Clegg, David Laws and Vince Cable. Two Conservative MPs are also accused by the NUS of failing to keep a promise to oppose the increase. | The campaign is aimed at 28 Liberal Democrats, including Nick Clegg, David Laws and Vince Cable. Two Conservative MPs are also accused by the NUS of failing to keep a promise to oppose the increase. |
Another 21 Liberal Democrat MPs kept their pledge to vote against the rise. | Another 21 Liberal Democrat MPs kept their pledge to vote against the rise. |
Labour has promised to cut tuition fees to £6,000 per year, while the Conservatives want to lift the cap on undergraduate university places and have called for more value for money for students. | Labour has promised to cut tuition fees to £6,000 per year, while the Conservatives want to lift the cap on undergraduate university places and have called for more value for money for students. |
Some university leaders have been critical of proposals to cut fees, arguing higher fees have not deterred poorer students. | Some university leaders have been critical of proposals to cut fees, arguing higher fees have not deterred poorer students. |
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University applications dipped when fees were increased, but have since recovered to record levels, with more disadvantaged students applying than when fees were lower. | University applications dipped when fees were increased, but have since recovered to record levels, with more disadvantaged students applying than when fees were lower. |
Last week, a Liberal Democrat spokesman said: "There will be some people who will judge us for one thing we could not do. But many fair-minded people will judge us by what we have been able to do: tax cuts for millions of working people; more money for poor children in schools; a record two million apprentices; equal marriage; shared parental leave." | Last week, a Liberal Democrat spokesman said: "There will be some people who will judge us for one thing we could not do. But many fair-minded people will judge us by what we have been able to do: tax cuts for millions of working people; more money for poor children in schools; a record two million apprentices; equal marriage; shared parental leave." |
In a statement Network Rail said: "As a politically neutral organisation, we do not allow political activity on our stations and this applies to any forms of advertising or campaigning. | In a statement Network Rail said: "As a politically neutral organisation, we do not allow political activity on our stations and this applies to any forms of advertising or campaigning. |
"In this instance it's clear that an error has been made, as the poster should not have been approved for use in our stations. | "In this instance it's clear that an error has been made, as the poster should not have been approved for use in our stations. |
"We will be apologising to the NUS for the misunderstanding and will ensure that they do not have to pay for the display." | "We will be apologising to the NUS for the misunderstanding and will ensure that they do not have to pay for the display." |