By Daniel Martin
Last updated at 8:54 AM on 4th December 2010

No doubts: Business Secretary Vince Cable says he will vote for the cap rise

No doubts: Business Secretary Vince Cable says he will vote for the cap rise

Vince Cable's stance on the controversial tuition fees rise was mired in confusion today after he said he would vote for it before executing a total U-turn.

The Business Secretary said yesterday, contrary to earlier hints that he might abstain, that he would support the change in next week's Commons vote which is threatening to tear his party apart.

He said he had 'no doubt' about coming out in favour of the reforms, which will allow universities to charge 9,000 in annual fees, because as the minister in charge of higher education he helped devise the policy.

But when challenge on student radio last night, he insisted: 'I didn't announce anything. I think there might have been some slight misunderstanding.

'What I did try to explain was that the Liberal Democrats as a parliamentary party will be deciding as a group how they will vote on Thursday and I would imagine that in the next few days there will be clarity on that issue.

'I have my own views as an individual and as the Cabinet minister responsible, but the decision on how we vote in Parliament - it is true in our party, it's true in the Conservatives and it's true in the Labour Party - is decided as a group, collectively, and that is how we will make it.'

There were suggestions that Mr Cable had thought his earlier interview would not be published until late next week whereas it was immediately put up online. 

Labour's former deputy prime minister Lord Prescott mocked the Lib Dem, who once tormented Gordon Brown by saying he had been transformed 'from Stalin to Mr Bean'.

On Twitter, he joked: 'On tuition fees we've noticed Vince Cable's remarkable transformation in the last few weeks from stalling to Mr In Between!'

In reference to the MP's passion for ballroom dancing, he added: 'Looking forward to Vince Cable doing his signature dance on Strictly. You take your left foot out and put the right boot in!'

Unpopular decision: Students protest outside the London constituency office of Simon Hughes, the deputy leader of the Lib Dems

Unpopular decision: Students protest outside the London constituency office of Simon Hughes, the deputy leader of the Lib Dems

MPs vote on Thursday on proposals to double tuition fees - a move which has drawn thousands of students on to the streets in protest.

Yesterday the Lib Dems had to cancel a regional party conference in London over security fears after demonstrators threatened to target the event.

Students are angry because the Lib Dems campaigned vigorously at the election against tuition fees and in favour of a new graduate tax.

But, as part of the coalition deal, Mr Cable was forced not only to accept a fees rise - but also to unveil the proposal in the Commons.

LibDem MPs are trying to agree amongst themselves whether to abstain as a group, as they are entitled to do under the coalition deal - but Mr Cable yesterday said he would back the move under the Cabinet doctrine of collective responsibility.

He told the Richmond and Twickenham Times: 'Obviously I have a duty as a minister to vote for my own policy - and that is what will happen.'

Mr Cable had earlier admitted he considered joining a mass Lib Dem abstention, because many of his colleagues were finding the policy 'difficult'.

He said: 'There is a dilemma. I'm very clear I regard the policy as right and as a member of the Cabinet I'm collectively responsible for the policy. There is no doubt that is what I should do.'

Yesterday another senior Lib Dem unwittingly exposed deep unease in the party ranks.

David Laws, who was forced to resign as a Cabinet minister over his expenses, mistakenly sent an email to the Guardian newspaper, in which he said the vote should be got 'out of the way' quickly.

He wrote: 'Any idea when this [tuition fees vote] is going to be? We really need to get it out of the way ASAP. The sooner this is over the better!!! D.'

More than ten Lib Dem backbenchers, including former leaders Sir Menzies Campbell and Charles Kennedy say they might vote against.

Mr Laws's successor as Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander has also admitted he is trying to persuade fellow party members to back the rise.

He said: 'This is not an ideal situation at all, but in a Coalition there are going to be some issues that are going to be difficult and we flagged that up in the coalition agreement.

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

Liars. Liars. Liars. Repay your own FREE University education Com Dems which was funded by tax payers of the day, many of whom would have fought in World War 2. I have sent back my Lib Dem membership. I'm outraged they are attacking the young and burdening them with a lifetime of debt when it was Government and bankers which caused this deficit. Harass rich bankers and leave the kids alone. Pull out a nuke or two - we have far too many to obliterate this planet. Shame on you all. What happened to your pledge and your principles?

Wow, there you go, many Politicians do not have the courage of their convictions, what they will do for short term gain eh! History is littered with Public officials that are turncoats, Derrick Hatton, John Prescott etc, it seems that when they get into power they change, dare I say it I have noticed that a bit with David Cameron, he seems to be back tracking on several issues, such as health and safety and the EU.

Well, there is an old saying "absolute power corrupts absolutely." This arose as a quotation by John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton, first Baron Acton (1834-1902). The historian and moralist, who was otherwise known simply as Lord Acton, expressed this opinion in a letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton in 1887:

"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men." Umm things never change and the Politicians wonder why the public are sceptical

Dither ,dither , I wonder what decision he will have come to by tomorrow ?

Mugwump, unfortunately not. He'll be elevated to the lords at the end of this parliament, un-elected!

Just think if the Lib Dems were the ruling party and not just in a coalition.

Your worst nightmare come true.

Since he supports it, he must vote in favour - stuff party politics - if MPs voted for what they had faith in instead of toeing the party line, the country would not be in the state it is now.

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