UK: The new coalition world

The first British coalition government for more than half a century has resulted in a Conservative minister for universities, science and skills working under a Liberal Democrat Secretary of State.

David Willetts, the former shadow education secretary, will now be responsible for higher education. Lib-Dem Vince Cable has taken over the role of Labour's Peter Mandelson as Secretary of State for the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills although he will not be in charge of universities.

The new administration will immediately face the challenge from academics and students to keep faith with their election promises. The Conservatives had already done a U-turn on tuition fees before the election, indicating that universities would need to charge more in order to survive while the Lib-Dems continued to commit the party to phasing out tuition fees over six years.

Lib-Dem members of parliament have been given the right to abstain if they cannot accept the proposals made by Lord Browne's report on higher education funding, due in the autumn.

The coalition deal, termed by one political commentator as "the pre-nuptial contract', stated: "We will judge (Browne's) proposals against the need to increase social mobility, take into account the impact on student debt; ensure a properly funded university sector, improve the quality of teaching, advance scholarship, and attract a higher proportion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds."

If the response of the government to Lord Browne's report is one that Liberal Democrats cannot accept, then arrangements will be made to enable their MPs to abstain in any vote, says the agreement.

This proviso has led to angry responses from students' and lecturers' unions. Aaron Porter, president- elect of the National Union of Students, said: "The faith students and their families have placed in the Liberal Democrats must now be repaid.

"You campaigned with a clear and welcome manifesto pledge to support students and reduce their burden of debt. Your MPs signed a pledge, a pact between candidates and their constituents, to vote against a rise in tuition fees and to press the government for a fairer alternative. For that, the National Union of Students and voters are grateful."

The NUS has set up a Facebook group to keep the party in tune with its election promises. It already has more than 6,000 followers.

Sally Hunt, General Secretary of the University and College Union, urged the Liberal Democrats to use their new-found influence to prevent any increase in fees.

"UCU looks forward to confirmation that they have persuaded their new political partners to abolish fees over an agreed timescale," said Hunt. "This move would expand access and opportunity at a time when our country needs more people participating in education. The thousands of students and their hard-working parents persuaded to vote Liberal Democrat to get rid of fees would expect nothing less."

The university think-tank million+ also weighed into what it sees as the Lib-Dems' decision to hand over the future of university fees and funding to the Conservatives in the event of a disagreement between the coalition.

Pam Tatlow, Chief Executive of million+ said: "The Liberal Democrats made a clear election pledge that tuition fees for full-time and part-time students would be abolished. Liberal Democrat MPs and voters may well be disappointed that this has been scrapped as part of the coalition negotiations.

"The new Business Secretary, Liberal Democrat Vince Cable, must now reassure students and universities that the new government will support a fair funding package and that Liberal Democrat MPs will be able to vote in the House of Commons to support social mobility, participation and a unified system of student support."

Apart from sending warning signals to the Lib-Dems in this extraordinary coalition, academics have welcomed the appointment of David Willetts, nick-named 'Two-brains' by commentators in his early years at Westminster on account of his intellect. One blogger to The Guardian observed that he could use one brain for science, the other for education.

Professor Steve Smith, President of Universities UK, the vice-chancellors' association, said: "David Willetts brings to this role a wealth of experience and a genuine understanding of higher education.

"He has worked hard to ensure a deep understanding of the needs of both staff and students, regularly visiting campuses across the country and closely integrating himself with the sector. Throughout his involvement, he has demonstrated a firm commitment to the student experience and recognises the crucial need to maintain excellence in teaching and research."

diane.spencer@uw-news.com