WILL MHKs stick with their election pledges over the tuition fee policy?
The issue of whether government should continue to fund in full university education for our students was a campaign issue for many candidates at the last general election.
Ahead of the poll, iomtoday questioned each of the candidates on their stance on a variety of issues including free university education.
So what did they say - and will they vote the same way in the Tynwald debate this week?
In reply to the question ‘Should the government continue to pay full tuition fees for university students’, Tim Crookall (Peel), now Education Minister replied: ‘Yes, if possible’.
Allan Bell (Ramsey, subsequently appointed Chief Minister, replied: ‘Yes, where possible (maybe- economy).
Eddie Teare (Ayre), appointed Treasury Minister after the election, replied to the same question: ‘As long as our finances permit’.
Those now government ministers who agreed that yes government should continue to pay full university tuition fees were David Cretney (Douglas South), who is now Infrastructure Minister; Graham Cregeen (Malew and Santon), now Community, Culture and Leisure Minister; Phil Gawne (Rushen), now Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister and Juan Watterson (Rushen), now Home Affairs Minister, who said; ‘Yes, even if it means fewer students attend university’.
Other successful candidates who supported the principle were Richard Ronan, who secured the Castletown seat; Brenda Cannell (Douglas East); Bill Henderson (Douglas North), who said it was ‘vitally important’; Kate Beecroft (Lib Van, Douglas South); Steve Rodan (Garff); Alfred Cannan (Michael), Howard Quayle (Middle); Peter Karran (Lib Van, Onchan); David Quirk (Onchan); Zac Hall (Onchan); Leonard Singer (Ramsey) and Laurence Skelly (Ramsey), who added: ‘Investing in our youth is investing in our future’. Chris Robertshaw (Douglas East), now Social Care Minister, replied: ‘In the main, yes’.
John Shimmin (Douglas West), now Economic Development Minister, said the issue ‘will need consideration immediately’.
Geoff Corkish (Douglas West) replied: ‘Where possible, yes’.
Only Health Minister David Anderson (Glenfaba) stated categorically: ‘Can’t afford to’.
John Houghton (Douglas North) didn’t contribute to our pre-election questionnaire but in his manifesto stated: ‘It is vital that our students continue to receive financial support where appropriate to attend universities and colleges in the UK.’
