Andrew Stunell ~ Doupleplus FAIL

Imagine 1984 where they forget to rewrite fullwise a speech made before one of the many 180 degree turns in policy. Big Brother wouldn't have found it so easy to cling to power.

2010 has been something like that as regards pre-election LibDem promises. We just came across another example of a LibDem MP hanging himself (metaphorically), by leaving embarassing traces of his erstwhile commitment to vote against tuition fees: the parliamentary under secretary of state to the department for communities and local government - no less! - Andrew Stunell OBE, MP for Hazel Grove.

Here's what Stunell said about half a year before becoming a minister (2009/10/20):

"University education should be free and everyone who has the ability should be able to go - and not put off by the cost.

"The Tories' plan [to increase tuition fees to £7,000] is deeply irresponsible in this current recession, when money is tight and jobs are scarce. We need to be getting more young people into university, apprenticeships and training, not fewer - which is exactly what will happen with the Conservatives' outrageous plan."

Note the "outrageous" figure is £2000 less than the amount Stunell voted for on December 9. He claimed to believe in free education - that means zero tuition fees - and that a recession should be a reason to increase investment in education and training, not an excuse to cut it.

Not only is Stunell's new position in favor of £9K tuition fees doubleplus ungood, those he lied to and betrayed will award him a doubleplus FAIL.

You can read Stunell's pre-election comments here: Stunell warns of fee hike

And just in case he does rewrite his story, here is the full text:

STUNELL WARNS OF NEW TUITION FEE HIKE FOR STOCKPORT STUDENTS

10.45.00am GMT Tue 20th Oct 2009

Over 6,000 Stockport students risk huge increases in university tuition fees in eight months time if the Conservatives regain power, according to Hazel Grove MP Andrew Stunell.

Mr Stunell was speaking after the Conservatives said they may increase tuition fees to £7,000 if they take power at the next general election, which has to be held by June 2010.

That would see tuition fees for undergraduates more than double. Currently there is a cap of £3,300 in England and Wales. Mr Stunell says such a rise would leave Stockport youngsters graduating with more than £30,000 worth of debt, over a third higher than current levels.

Labour also plans to allow universities to charge more than at present if re-elected, according to Peter Mandelson, leaving students and their families with the Liberal Democrats as the only party who have made a commitment to scrapping tuition fees.

Commenting, Andrew Stunell said:

"I look around Stockport, and more and more I see young people returning from university with no job and a bank balance tens of thousands of pounds in the red. What sort of future is that?

"Labour and the Tories are showing their true colours. They don't care about young people - they just want to saddle them with staggering amounts of debt.

"University education should be free and everyone who has the ability should be able to go - and not put off by the cost.

"The Tories plan is deeply irresponsible in this current recession, when money is tight and jobs are scarce. We need to be getting more young people in to university, apprenticeships and training not fewer, which is exactly what will happen with the Conservatives' outrageous plan."

Stunell is one of the unclean eighteen - the hardcore of LibDem MPs who hold senior positions in the ConDem coalition. Here are his contact details:

enquiries@andrewstunell.org.ukhttp://www.andrewstunell.org.uk/
Phone: 0161 406 7070
Fax: 0161 494 2425

Liberal Democrats
34 Stockport Road
Romiley
STOCKPORT
SK6 3AA

You can find details of the others under the video here SCUM. (These are taken from the LibDem website list of government ministers.)