Much has been made in the Oxford Mail of the actions of young people in Oxford protesting against increases in university tuition fees.

I fully understand why they are angry and wish to make their anger known.

The inappropriate comments by Cllr Mitchell, the leader of the county council, have fuelled their anger.

Protests should always be lawful and should always be peaceful, but young people from Oxfordshire’s schools who have been demonstrating should never be the subject of such personal derogatory remarks by a senior politician.

Such remarks also detract from answering the very serious concerns students have about the coalition Government’s proposals. The Government is justifying its draconian deficit reduction programme as necessary to free the next generation from the burden of debt.

But at the same time they are saddling those young people with a massive hike in tuition fees – making them pay directly for the excesses of the banking sector. This is immoral.

I know first hand from my constituents that this policy will put some off from going to university altogether and the proposals will saddle those who do still choose to go to university with crushing levels of debt.

The income threshold for repayments may be increased from £15,000 to£21,000 per annum but this does nothing to alleviate the level of debt overall, which could be as much as £50-£60,000, when taking into account all the other costs involved in studying, and the length of the degree.

We simply must ensure that the next generation are supported and nurtured to become the best they can be.

I would take this opportunity to urge Oxfordshire’s MP’s to vote against the coalition Government’s proposals on tuition fees tomorrow.

Liz Brighouse, Leader of the Labour Group, County Councillor for Barton and Churchill.