Kingston’s Green Party candidate has criticized all the main parties for trying to jump on a green bandwagon in the run-up to the election.

Chris Walker claims the main parties have endorsed many of his party’s policies and dressed them up as their own. However, he remained skeptical as to their dedication to implementing these policies and to fully addressing environmental concerns.

Mr Walker made clear that it was the Green Party’s aim to push the other parties to take on their policies.  He said: “We are the only party to say, if you get elected with our policies, good on you.  However if the main parties and the Government were really that green, then you wouldn’t need a Green Party.”

Conservative candidate for Richmond Park, Zac Goldsmith declared that his party was the strongest on environmental issues, by saying: “Our manifesto will be the greenest manifesto of any serious political party in the developed world, ever.”

Mr Goldsmith added that he thought the Green Party should be more of a “glorified lobby group” than a political party.  He said “I think the problem with the green party is that they behave as if they might form a government and we all know they won't.” 

However, Mr Walker responded to this by saying he did not think there was anything of any substance in the Conservatives’ environmental campaign.  He said: “With the Torys it’s just a green-wash.  A lot of the Tory’s policies they knicked from us five years ago, which is fine.  But as soon as they get in they will be back to their old ways.”

Meanwhile, Liberal-Democrat MP for Kingston, Ed Davey, maintained that green issues are fundamental to his party’s agenda.  He said: “Every effort to increase recycling has been proposed by the Liberal Democrats - we have proved that we do not just talk about it, we act upon it.”

With the general election looming, climate change and environmental policies will be at the forefront of party manifestos, but whether they will be fully and successfully implemented remains to be seen.

KU students have the opportunity to shape the political landscape and play a decisive role in the election. However, those considering voting for a perspective party or candidate should consider what their vote means with regards to tuition fees.

A Labour review on tuition fees in 2004 meant students were paying as much as £3,225 per year. This rate, over a standard three year course would lead to students leaving higher education with almost £10,000 to pay back; this figure excludes rent and living expenses.

The government said it would review tuition fees last year, but decided against going ahead with it until after the election. However, all signs are that tuition fees will rise.

“There is a real prospect that fees might go up by £5,000, £7,000 or £10,000 per year. Some leaders and some vice- chancellors are already asking the opposition to push fees up,” said Aaron Porter, vice president of the NUS.

The NUS are keen to generate money for higher education funding from the tax payer rather than increasing the considerable debt taken on by undergraduates. The average graduate debt is now in excess of £22,000. Mr Porter said: “Part-time, post-grads and international students are charged a great deal more, as they have un-capped fees.”

 Both main parties have given their backing to prospect fee hikes. Labour has indicated that it wants to give permission to universities to set their own fees. 

The Conservatives have suggested a fee structure similar to the US system, which is much higher than in the UK.

The Lib Dems would prefer to cut tuition fees. Ed Davey, MP for Kingston-Surbiton said: “We want to slash top up fees. This time we know we can’t afford to do it so we will now do it over six years, we would gradually get it to all students.”

Mr Davey added: “I think with tuition fees we have got a whole range of problems, the most concerning one is that when students do graduate they have a huge millstone of debt round their neck.”

Max Freedman, Labour candidate for Kingston-Surbiton said: “There should not be any increase in tuition fees. Universities have to be paid for whether that is by tuition fees or some sort of graduate tax. We need a system that does not scare people off going to university; grants are a good thing.”

The Green Party have made similar overtures about their plans to do away with fees by raising tax. They hope to generate revenue for their projects by abolishing identity cards and scrapping the planned up-grade of the UK's nuclear arsenal.

 The party would advocate funding higher education by offering grants to students, instead of raising fees. This would ensure students left university with lower debt levels.

  “Our policy is to scrap any fees for higher education, the only way to do this is to raise taxes,” said Chris Walker, Green Party candidate for Kingston-Surbiton.

 However, Conservative candidate for Kingston-Richmond Helen Whately believes there is no realistic alternative to a tuition fee hike.

 “None of the three parties would be able support lowering tuition fees. The Lib Dems do not have a policy here, their whips will vote in accordance with the party line. The choice between Labour, Conservative and Lib Dem is clear, it’s not about who’s going to cut fees, it’s about who’s going to give you more for your money,” she said.