Issue 599 Newspaper Since 1947
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Friday The Independent April 23, 2004 Cambridge Student Issue 599 Newspaper since www.varsity.co.uk 1947 ARTS VARSITY NEEDS YOU INTERVIEWS WAR Apply Now Spin King Al What is it good for? Details Inside “I was a bit pissed off” Page 15 Page 4 Page 08 Campbell’s Dupe Contents “If the Higher Education Bill proposes differential fees at its third and final reading, despite the many excellent initiatives contained in it for Higher Education, I will have no choice but to vote against the Government again” - Anne Campbell Expiry Date: 31st March 2004 Bryan Coll she insisted that “important safeguards had been introduced into the bill to counter my concerns about variable As students returned to Cambridge fees,” and claims to “have noted every- this week, local MP Anne Campbell one’s comments” which “have guided was faced with angry accusations of a her voting decisions.” “spectacular u-turn” following her Campbell pointed out that her failure to vote against top-up fees. efforts had secured a ‘cap’ on fees, Despite her high-profile opposition meaning that universities attempting to variable fees and her pledge to vote to charge more than the maximum against the government, Mrs. amount would be fined. She also sub- Campbell voted with her party dur- mitted an amendment to ensure that ing the third and final reading of the this £3000 cap could only rise above Higher Education Bill on 31st the rate of inflation if approved by March. both the Commons and the Lords. Her change of heart was described Campbell’s endorsement of the by The Guardian as a “crucial turning Bill appeared to conflict with her ear- point” in thwarting a backbench lier views on the issue. In a statement amendment proposed by Norwich MP released by the MP in October 2003, Ian Gibson to remove variable fees. she described differential fees as “a Campbell defended her actions as nec- dangerous leap in the dark” and essary to prevent a “wrecking amend- added that certain academic subjects ment” which “rather than providing and universities would “inevitably any alternative …would leave the fee suffer” as a consequence of the pro- structure completely unregulated.” In a posed scheme. statement published on her website Continued on page 2 The region’s best guide to what’s on – see next Thursday’s Cambridge Evening News NEWS 02 Apr 23, 2004 www.varsity.co.uk Campbell in the soup on fees switch CUSU condemns local MP’s about-turn on top-up issue; Campbell argues “I did what you wanted” ...continued from front page since the Government first unveiled against variable fees and 71% urging its proposals. She was part of a high- Campbell to oppose the bill in the After abstaining in the vote fol- profile core of MPs opposed to the Commons. The Case for the Defence lowing the second reading of the bill scheme during most of the debate. CUSU President Ben Brinded in January, the MP claimed that she told Varsity: "Anne Campbell prom- extracts from Anne Campbell’s letter moderated her stance after receiving ised that she would vote against vari- letters from undergraduates who “she went back on her word. able top-up fees but she went back I believe she has broken supported the proposals. One of on her word. I believe she has broken Dear Editors these came from Becky Bowtell, an Cambridge students’ trust Cambridge students’ trust". SPS student from Robinson, who In contrast to her stance on the urged her to support the HE Bill on HE funding issue, her opposition to The readers of your paper might be interested to know what I did the basis that it would reintroduce It was, therefore, a surprise to the war on Iraq has been consistent. do for Universities, students and their parents in the vote on Higher grants to poorer students. Her deci- many of her colleagues and con- She has frequently rebelled against Education Bill on Wednesday 31 March. I voted for what the sion to do so, according to CUSU stituents that she abstained in the the government on the issue and majority of you wanted. 57% of your survey wanted no upfront fees. Higher Education Funding Officer crucial vote in January when the Bill resigned from her position as 66% of you wanted the reintroduction of £1,500 of maintenance Robin Sivapalan, went against "a was passed by the narrow margin of Parliamentary Private Secretary to grants. 73% of you wanted a more generous student loan scheme. clear mandate to vote against top-up five votes. the Secretary of State and Industry I have not changed my mind on variable fees; but I believe I have fees" given to Campbell by the Campbell gave strongly-worded in order to vote against military secured important safeguards from the government to prevent a majority of Cambridge students. assurances to the student population action in the Gulf. damaging market in higher education. I forced the government to Campbell has disputed this, arguing of Cambridge that she would oppose Her voting record on top-up fees change its mind on key issues: in a letter to Cambridge students variable fees in parliament. has, however, led some to suggest - To strengthen the Bill and ensure that no universities are able to this week that she "voted for what In a statement made to Cambridge that the cause was never close to her charge higher fees - those that try to do so will be fined the majority of you wanted". undergraduates in October 2003 she heart. Robin Sivapalan told Varsity - To ensure that fees do not rise above inflation before 2010. After Campbell’s stance on tuition fees wrote, "If the HE Bill proposes dif- he felt "utterly dejected" as a result that, fees would only be able to rise after a debate and vote in has wavered significantly since the ferential fees at its third and final of Campbell abandoning her "sup- Parliament. Labour government came to power. reading…I will have no choice but to posed personal commitment to Being an MP is about making hard decisions - and I did that on In 1997, she opposed the abolition of vote against the Government again." opposing variability". 31 March. maintenance grants and the intro- The opinions of local students were Anne Campbell was on Select duction of tuition fees; but when it also made clear to Mrs Campbell in Committee business in the USA Yours sincerely, came to the vote, she sided with her a joint survey organised by the MP when contacted by Varsity and was party. Campbell had been vocal in and CUSU. Over 850 students took unavailable for comment. her opposition to top-up fees ever part in the survey, with 80% voting Curate wins abortion battle NUS Vote Bryan Coll such huge pressure on women to have seen as something that needs to be towards women: “I’m doing this so Archie Bland a perfect baby”, comments the former eradicated.” that women aren’t traumatised and barmaid, “the mother is in a very vul- Abortions taking place after 24 babies aren’t lost for trivial reasons.” A former Cambridge student and nerable position.” “Our enslavement to weeks are generally rare as the foetus The Cleft Lip and Palate NUS’s conference at Blackpool saw Church of England curate has won physical perfection and superficial has a relatively good chance of surviv- Association (CLAPA) welcomed the the Labour Party’s hold over the her battle to have a police inquiry beauty has now become so great”, she ing outside the womb. The fact that decision and lended their support to leadership of the student union bro- into a late abortion she describes as commented in a recent interview. As the pregnancy in question was termi- Rev. Jepson’s campaign. Chief ken as Kat Fletcher, founder of the an “outrageous, unlawful killing”. the sister of a Down’s syndrome suffer- nated due to a cleft palate was particu- Executive Gareth Davies believes the left wing Campaign for Free The decision by West Mercia police er, Rev. Jepson is also critical of the larly controversial, as the defect can case may dispel common myths sur- Education, was elected by a margin taken on 16th April follows a series of government’s policy of compulsory usually be corrected with simple sur- rounding the condition and improve of just two votes. Fletcher succeeds hearings for a judicial review into the screening of pregnant women for gery. Around 1000 babies are born public understanding. “We (CLAPA) Mandy Telford, by whom she was legality of the termination. The Down’s syndrome. She believes it will each year in the UK with a cleft lip or believe that if the general public had a defeated last year in a similarly close results of these hearings will be made lead to increased abortion of Down’s palate. greater knowledge of the condition the race. public later next month. babies. “Disability is not a negative Rev. Jepson insists that she is not option of termination might not be In a conference which also saw Rev. Joanna Jepson, a former stu- thing, she states, but it is nonetheless being judgemental or condescending considered.” controversial clashes between the dent of Ridley Hall, previously chal- Union of Jewish Students and the lenged the failure of West Mercia Federation of Islamic Students over police to investigate the late abortion the extension of the No Platform pol- of a baby with a cleft palate. She icy to include more Islamic groups, believes the abortion was against the Fletcher’s victory was a moment of law and is calling for the doctors high drama.