how will Nick Clegg get out of this one?

[LilyBolero]

The Browne report is soon to be published, which is expected to recommend raising the cap on tuition fees for university to either 7k or 10k per year. In order for this to become law, the Tories need the Lib Dems to vote either for it, or abstain. The terms of the coalition prohibit them from voting against a rise in university fees.

However. Before the election EVERY Lib Dem MP (including Nick Clegg, Vince Cable et al) signed a very public pledge that said "I pledge to vote against any rise in student fees". So how does that work?

no biters?

Seriously, where do you go once you've signed a pledge, promising to VOTE AGAINST A RISE IN UNIVERSITY FEES, and also signed an agreement that says you may only abstain from such a vote.

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Where do they go? Clearly they are politicians so they are already in the right place.

What's interesting is that they don't normally give an unequivocal "I PLEDGE TO ...."

Normally it would be "we have no plans to raise fees" or something like that, rather than WE PLEDGE TO VOTE AGAINST ANY FEE INCREASE. Pretty plain talking. Which will mean either they have to break the terms of the coalition, or totally go back on their pledge. Interesting.