Colinjb

That would have been a better option, but it then becomes a fine line. Raise taxes too much and it can discourage enterprise etc. As for the point in bold, not sure I follow.... You were expecting Clegg to specifically comment on his own student debt?

Gold! Always believe in your Souuulllll.....

Assuming we don't have a complete 'mare...

Oh, I agree that it is worse in the long term, but the trade off is that in the earlier part of life, when money needs to stretch further things will be easier. There is no right answer here, there is a massive mess that needs to be cleared up but at least with this system there would a be a chance to maintain the existing infrastructure while also allowing greater flexibility and less immediate financial constraint to new graduates. The error was made in my mind when the University system became a free for all rather then an outlet for genuine academic achievement. Anything that happens now is simply a sticky plaster over the wound.

Is a cap 100 or so pounds going out a month better then 150+? (I do not remember the exact figures but that is how it's structured.) That is what it means in reality.

Quite. They are being demonsied by a media who are preying on the general public's lack of understanding of their own voting system.

No point digging your heels in and losing all sway, when you can compromise and influence in other matters. Some of Lib Dem policy has been put into place, isn't that better then nothing?

Which does fly in the face of a lot of the opposition to the fee rises. Also the costs of repayment for a graduate on the new scheme will be better then that of those like me on the old. The monthly repayments will be capped at a figure lower then the amount I am currently paying and will not be asked for if earning below a certain amount. If anything a University place will be more actively affordable then before. But it's all swings and roundabouts. Nothing is free, and nor should it be.

Looks like the entire 4 goes again.

And threaten making a University degree an 'elitest' thing again? Universities have become far more then just a place for educations, they are employment centres, hubs of communities. Cutting places will simply create a worse situation then raising the tuition fees will. Like many things left over from labour, they are establishments that help prop up the economy but do not directly add to it. They need to be maintained but equally need to be more self sustained.

It's understandable. If faith in a middle ground has been compromised of course a retreat to something a little more to a safer extreme will follow. The mention of Tony Benn earlier raised a thought. In terms of his politics I would never have agreed with him, but by christ you could respect him. In an interview with Benn on TalkSport not long ago he admitted that he fiercly opposed Thatcher but respected a worthy foe. There are no high profile politicians around today that are capable of raising that respect, they are all career power seekers rather then individuals of principle. Our country is all the poorer for it.

The least she deserves for the effort she has put in across her career. She finally has a medal to sign off with.

They've merged with Sheffield United?

It's the nature of democracy. The Lib Dems are a minority within the ruling coalition, they have influence but not much. They havn't sold out they just can't do too much but it's surely better from their perspective to have some kind of sway rather then simply leave the Tories to run a minority government. But of course, it's much more entertaining to say that they are a bunch of pussy sell out cowards, because that sells papers.

This, but then they are far too stupid to do it properly, they would rather hold on for dear life to the wretched carcass. Without the FA Cup triumph, they now have nothing, and to let go of how they won it, it will mean they have nothing left. The club must die, only then will the culture of spend/bust be ceased. Even then it may be so pathologically ingrained into that town that they will try it again from non-league. Could they 'do a Maidstone?'

Just noticed, in the 100m final some idiot threw a beer bottle onto the track behind the starting line. Hope they get the book thrown at them.

He deserves better then a move to the next South Coast club to enter financial meltdown. Nothing against Bournemouth but he should be aiming higher. Then again, if he is settled in the area it would make a certain degree of sense.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mV1LWhNpTJU

But he has such a 'cool' fans chant.

It's just a shame that Pompey Online isn't as interesting as it usually is. Give it a day or two mind.

One less set of Stamps to buy. It's becoming quite expensive!

You reap what you sow Mack. If you are willing to be a tart don't be surprised if you are passed around like a crack whore amongst the pimps.

Looks like Murray is being allowed to win another Tennis match.

Simon Gillett has passed on the opportunity of a lifetime. Despite a trial at Fratton Park he has joined Nottingham Forest. Clever lad.

To pick himself up from defeat a month ago, to face the same gauntlet again and to prevail in that imperious fashion. Andy Murray, that was heroic.