Tough Week Ahead For Blair Says Teather

6.06.12pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 23rd Jan 2004

Tony Blair faces a tough week ahead under pressure from the Liberal Democrats

Tony Blair's Labour Government faces a tough week, with a vote on top-up fees and the publication of the Hutton Inquiry. The Liberal Democrats will be challenging the Government over both of these issues.

With the Conservatives policy on higher education in disarray and their position on Hutton questionable after they backed the war on Iraq. The Liberal Democrats will be providing the effective opposition to Tony Blair's Government.

Commenting on the Top-up fees debate Sarah Teather MP said:

"I am proud that the Liberal Democrats are leading the fight against this Poll Tax on students. This bill must be stopped. If introduced the bill will lead to students facing unacceptable levels of debt.

"The Liberal Democrats are committed to scrapping Tuition Fees and fighting the introduction of Top-up fees."

Commenting on the publication of the Hutton Inquiry, Sarah Teather MP said:

"Whilst I would not want to prejudge the report of Lord Hutton's findings. I feel that it is unfortunate that the scope of the inquiry has not been widened.

"I would like to see an Independent inquiry as to why we went to war in Iraq in the first place. Many questions remain unanswered as to where are Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction that Tony Blair claims exist."

You can learn more about the campaign to scrap tuition fees at http://www.scraptuitionfees.com

You can sign Sarah Teather MP's petition calling for an independent inquiry into Weapons of Mass Destruction here http://www.brentlibdems.org.uk/petitions.php