A student writes...

Someone's just sent me this. And no, it wasn't Mr Smith, but I'm waiting for an update from him as to how his debate with Mr Williams at the uni went tonight. I gather the climate change debate last night was very well attended, with several hundred people there.

Hey! Student*

In a no doubt futile attempt to shift the discussion onto something new, Stephen Williams gave a rather bizarre response to the BEP when asked about his party's plans to do a U-turn on tuition fees. And he finished by saying that it doesn't matter much anyway, "as a lot of students in Bristol West either did not vote locally or not at all." I wonder if he's going to put in an appearance at the Freshers' Fair tomorrow?

* Yes, the song titles are back!

The telephone always rings

Thanks to Iain Dale for another example of Lib Dems saying one thing and doing another... Any chance of a response from Stephen Williams? (The phone story, not the one about Bear Stearns or Lehmans - although that's also worth a read).

And perhaps Stephen could also confirm at the same time whether it's true - as I was told last night by an impeccable source - that on taking up his current frontbench post he proudly told his Labour opposite number, 'I've been given this job to persuade the party to accept tuition fees?'

Where's Captain Kirk?

Note to Labour activists. If you need cheering up, just switch over to the Parliament channel for the Lib Dem conference. My favourite bit so far? Ed Davey mispronouncing 'machismo' - well, what do you expect from a Lib Dem?

Was expecting to see my Bristol neighbour, Mr Williams, being thrown to the lions - i.e. being forced, as Universities' spokesperson, to announce their u-turn on tuition fees - and no, of course I wasn't looking forward to it. Sadly, I've now been informed that it's been shelved till their Spring Conference because they didn't think they'd win the vote, and have got enough on their plate getting the 'Orange booking' of economic policy past the bearded and sandalled masses.

I went to Lib Dem conference once on a fleeting, work-related visit. Lots of large ladies wearing yellow. And yes, lots of socks and sandals.

U-turn if you want to...

Bit of a bust-up on Facebook amongst Lib Dems about their (subject to review) policy on tuition fees. We await the policy paper with interest... In the meantime here's a plea from Stephen Williams, who, as Higher Education spokesperson for the Lib Dems, is chairing the review:

"Please would people not take up firm stances and battle lines when they can't possibly have a read a policy paper that isn't even written yet!!The system of student and university finance has changed many times since our last policy review and the 2005 manifesto. At the very least we need to update our position or look ridiculously out of touch." Hmmm...