Mr O'Hara MP was one of several Merseyside MP's who suported the Government, even though the Knowsley South MP signed every Early Day Motion in the House of Commons against the introduction of top up fees.

"Mr O'Hara has performed one of the most shameful u-turns in political history, " said Cllr Dave Smithson, Deputy Leader of Knowsley MBC's Opposition Lib Dem Group and Chair of the North West Lib Dems. "Not only has he voted to support a Thatcherite policy he has broken a solemn manifesto pledge and has betrayed the very principles that Labour has traditionally stood for.

"Nobody has emerged from this shabby compromise with any credit in my view, least of all Mr O'Hara. It took a dodgy deal between the Prime Minister, the Chancellor and backbenchers to get this Bill through. It's a poor reflection of the Government of the day and will be very damaging for the Prime Minister.

"This may prove to be a hollow victory for the government. It's certainly not a victory for future students, particularly those from poorer backgrounds, who will face massive debts. And it's not a victory for universities, who will still be under funded.

"The Liberal Democrats will maintain our campaign for the principle of funding higher education out of fairer taxation."

Voting Liberal Democrat at the next General Election could still kill off Labour’s ill-judged plans to introduce top-up fees according to Lord (Chris) Rennard.

Lord Rennard, LibDem Chief Executive and Election Director said a drop in the number of Labour MPs following the next Election could completely change voting dynamics in the House of Commons. Education Secretary Charles Clarke could be one of the casualties if there is a swing towards the LibDems.

Chris Rennard said: "Tony Blair has bullied his MPs into breaking a key manifesto pledge. Voters are not likely to forgive Labour for its broken promises.

"Many Labour-held seats have high student populations. We know that the Liberal Democrats attract the highest number of votes amongst students. If students, their parents, family and friends decide to switch their votes to us over this issue, we will be able to overturn the legislation after the next election.

"Every student planning to go to university in future, their parents, families and friends could stop this legislation if they vote Liberal Democrat at the next Election.

"There is still a chance for generations of students to avoid the huge burden of debt they will incur otherwise. The electorate must send a very clear message to Blair - that it is not OK to say one thing in an election manifesto, and do the exact opposite when Labour is voted into Government."

Some of the seats that could fall to the Liberal Democrats include: Knowsley South, Manchester Gorton, Manchester Withington, Liverpool Wavertree, Liverpool Garston and Oldham East & Saddelworth.

The LibDems have surged ahead to become the party of choice amongst British students according to a recent MORI survey, and would get 37% of their votes. If there was a General Election tomorrow only 28% would vote Labour and 20% Tories.
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