Phil Willis MP said: "The Government's plans to charge students huge "top-up fees" can still be stopped, if Eddie O'Hara and just two more Labour MPs oppose them when they return to the House of Commons in mid-March."

Cllr Ian Smith added: "At the second reading vote on the Higher Education Bill 73 Labour MPs had the courage to stand by the policy they were elected on and join the Liberal Democrats in voting against the Bill. The Government's majority was just 5. If Eddie O'Hara and just 2 more had joined us this unfair and ill-judged Bill would have been defeated."

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

Cllr Dave Smithson said: "We are appealling to Eddie O'Hara to take a good look at our proposals, since his vote could still save the Government at third reading from what will be a deeply unpopular policy at the next election – as well as a direct breach of a manifesto promise – if they continue to insist on it."
Ends