THREE Lib Dem ministers may vote against the hike in tuition fees, it emerged last night - plunging the coalition into chaos.
Transport Minister Norman Baker, Home Office Minister Lynne Featherstone and Pensions Minister Steve Webb told Nick Clegg they are undecided.
This comes despite his desperate efforts to talk party doubters round. Unless they resign, opposing the key Government bill would force the party leader and Deputy Prime Minister to sack them.
All 57 Lib Dem MPs will have a final meeting in the Commons tonight for a showdown before the Thursday afternoon ballot.
Mr Baker said yesterday he still did not know if he would vote for or against, or abstain. He said: "There are three options and I haven't yet decided what I'm going to do."
Former party leaders Sir Menzies Campbell and Charles Kennedy have already declared their opposition, as has party president Tim Farron.
Sir Menzies has said that his "credibility would be shot to pieces" if he did anything other than to stick to the whole party's pre-election promise to vote against tuition fee rises.
Lib Dems who abstain need not fear the sack, Downing Street indicated yesterday.
Prime Minister David Cameron ordered the climbdown - authorised by the coalition agreement drawn up in May - to help embattled Mr Clegg.
Ex-Shadow Home Secretary David Davis is the only Tory planning to vote against the fees hike. He said last night: "I am a rebellion of one."
Downing Street said the fee rise was fairer than forcing all Brits to fork out for top educations they do not all get.
Cops are preparing for another massive student protest tomorrow. Hundreds will mask their identities by dressing in animal suits.
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