Rebelling over tuition fees

2011 jan 17

The formation and operation of the Coalition government has been a difficult and challenging process. Many compromises have had to be made so that the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties can govern. For the UK this is a new experience - and in a way can be seen as a "coming of age" in today's fragmented European political scene.

The conflicts thrown up by the coalition process have had a direct effect here in Brigg as it has tested the loyalty and principles of the resident MP. In an article in the Scunthorpe Telegraph, Andrew Percy MP reveals how he dealt with the conflict between his loyalty for the Conservative party and his own background as a teacher when it came to the controversial vote about the raising of tuition fees.

Mr Percy is quoted as saying that the tuition fee debate process had taught him "a lot about particular people and human nature". He goes on to say "there wasn't a very pleasant atmosphere all week."

Despite voting against the Whip, he is quoted as saying that he is generally in favour of the Whip system and explains this in an unusual way: "I can be tribal on occasions, but I don't think of myself as a tribal politician."

Mr Percy's ambitions are also highlighted when he is quoted as saying that he is not a "career politician" and would not like to be seen as part of a group of rebel MPs: "I'm not a joiner.".