opposition party politicians took to the streets in York to make their voices heard in a last ditch attempt to demonstrate against tuition fee rises.

Members of York Green Party and the council’s Labour Group were in front of the Mansion House yesterday afternoon to coincide with the debate in Parliament on raising the cap on fees to £9,000 per annum.

University of York Green Party campaigner Caleb Wooding, who has been a leading figure in a student occupation this last week against the fees increases, said: “Increasing the cap on fees to £9,000 will mean that many young school students today will feel excluded from university altogether.

“The Green Party believes young people are our future and is committed to investing in them. The Green Party is the only party to have a consistent message from both the leadership and the party as a whole against education cuts, fee rises, and the scrapping of EMA (Education Maintenance Allowance). We are the only main party in England committed to free higher education.”

Demonstrators held large helium-filled balloons in the four main party colours with text representing the steps which have led to the coalition governments £9,000 a year fee proposals.

Labour party leader Coun James Alexander staged a balloon release in St Helen’s Square.

Coun Ruth Potter, Labour’s education spokeswoman, said: “Higher education comes at a cost, but we feel very strongly that future students are being hung out to dry by the coalition government.

“We well understand the cost of higher education, but believe it should be funded to a large extent how it has been in the past, through general taxation.”

Green Party councillor, Andy D’Agorne, tabled an amendment at York’s full council meeting calling on the council to oppose the fees increases and to campaign for an end to fees and for access for all.


Clashes at Westminster

The coalition suffered three resignations and saw its majority slashed as the Liberal Democrats split three ways over moves to hike tuition fees to up to £9,000.

As violence raged outside the Commons, 21 of the party’s MPs defied desperate pleas from leader Nick Clegg and voted against the controversial rise with eight not voting. The Government won the vote to raise fees with a majority of only 21.

Violence flared as thousands of protesters descended on Westminster to demonstrate against the hike.

A police officer was taken to hospital with a serious neck injury after being hurt during the clashes, and another needed hospital treatment for leg injuries after he was pulled from his horse in Parliament Square.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were “unharmed” after the car they were travelling in was attacked by protesters. Charles and Camilla were travelling to the Royal Variety Performance in central London when they were targeted by protesters.