Plaid can try to hide, but actions speak louder than words - Randerson

5.17.00pm GMT Mon 23rd Feb 2009

Unlike Plaid Cymru, Jenny Randerson and the Welsh Lib Dems want to save students from thousands of pounds worth of debt

Welsh Lib Dem Shadow Minister for Education, Jenny Randerson AM has accused Plaid Cymru of trying to hide from the fact they may shortly let down thousands of students by backing top up fees.

In a bizarre meeting of their "National Council" the party "re-affirmed" its opposition to top up fees, but Ieuan Wyn Jones claimed that the government could soon abandon support for students anyway.

Questions have also been raised as to why Ieuan Wyn Jones was so desperate to avoid his party reaffirming their policy when the Government are only supposed to be at consultation stage on their plan for fees.

Jenny Randerson said: "This bizarre turn of events is simply Plaid Cymru trying to cover the fact that they are about to let down thousands of students across Wales and insulate themselves from the fall out of their actions and broken promises. How can you have a policy saying you are on the side of Welsh students when you are part of a government that is seemingly about to impose a lifetime of even more debt on to thousands of young people.

"Questions are also raised about why Ieuan Wyn Jones was so quick to tell his party their "policy" isn't workable, when the idea about dropping student support is only at consultation stage. Could it be that the Government have already decided to abandon their support for students despite inviting consultation responses.

"The Lib Dems, both at UK level and in Wales are committed to scrapping fees and have worked out the costings. Plaid Cymru are, once again, proving they are nothing more than Labour's pit-props. When Labour are in a hole, they can rely on Ieuan and his party to prop them up, no matter how bad the effect on Welsh students.

"They really must be joking if they think they can fool students into thinking they are on their side."