Ed Miliband Exploits Coalition Disunity Over Tuition Fees at PMQs

http://www.labourlist.org/pmqs-liveblog-december-8th?utm_source=taomail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=109929+PMQs+verdict%3A+Ed+proves+himself+-+again+%2F+Re-organising+society+Tory+style+%2F+A+government+loss+of+real+significance+%28LL503%29&tmtid=109929-10130-10130-162-12-590-57452

Ed Miliband was back to his best at PMQs this week after a lacklustre performance last week.

He set out to exploit the splits amongst the Liberal Democrats over the now- explosive issue of increasing student tuition fees.

And he succeeded.

The Prime Minister's woeful swipe at Mr Miliband that he was like a 'student politician' saw the Labour leader seize his chance to hit below the belt. He replied with the jibe that the PM 'hangs out with people who wreck restaurants' -  a reference to the Bullingdon Club.

David Cameron was clearly rattled.

The Coalition faces its biggest test yet, with the Liberal Democrats split three ways on the issue. Some, including the Party leader, Nick Clegg will vote in favour and, following key meetings today, it now looks as if all Liberal Democrat ministers will follow suit.

Others will abstain as is their right set out in the Coalition agreement.

But we have already seen many high profile Lib Dem figures, including former leaders Charles Kennedy and Menzies Campbell, say they will vote against the proposals.

And the disquiet is also evident on the Conservative benches, with senior Tories, like former Party Leadership candidate David Davis, also declaring his intention to vote against the controversial policy.

To make matters worse, Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude has been quoted as branding the policy a 'shambles'.

So what now for the Coailition?

It seems likely that they will win the crucial Commons vote on Thursday as the rebellion amongst disaffected MPs from both parties is clearly not enough to overturn the new proposals.

But what is absolutely obvious is that the furore created by this issue has done enormous damage to the Liberal Democrats, who campaigned so passionately against any rise in tuition fees during the general election.

I wonder whether the splits in the Party that have now appeared can be repaired during the life time of this Parliament.