On The Scotsman iPad app: Brian Monteith examines why meddling with tradition may not be in Scotland’s best interests

Published on Monday 6 February 2012 03:18

EDUCATION Secretary Mike Russell, and the Scottish Conservative’s Educations Spokeswoman Liz Smith clashed in parliament last week, with Mr Russell labelling Ms Smith’s stance on university tuition fees ‘anti-Scottish.’

The issue of tuition fees is one that has been a cause of great debate, with Scotland choosing to allow Scottish and international students to study for free, whilst charging students from the other constituent countries of the United Kingdom.

Brian Monteith argues: “This policy is a great deception – for on independence all students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland would become foreign students from the European Union and thus entitled by treaty to free higher education. Overnight Scottish universities would not receive a penny and their finances would be thrown into disarray. It is difficult, if not impossible, to argue that Mike Russell’s policy is anything other than anti-Scottish – be it towards Scottish students, Scottish universities or the Scottish taxpayer.”

The Scotsman iPad app is available free for the next 18 days. Why not try it out?

ALSO ON THE APP:

• Stephen McGinty introduces 60 facts about the Queen, as her Diamond jubilee approaches

• In pictures: This weekend’s Six Nations highlights

• Brian Monteith examines why questioning tradition may not be in Scotland’s best interests

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mogatrons

Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 02:30 AM

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4

samcoldstream

Monday, February 6, 2012 at 04:56 PM

What on earth makes the author think for one minute that Scotland will opt for Independence? As the author knows only too well, long ago the Scots voted overwhelmingly for Dependence.

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MOCO

Monday, February 6, 2012 at 01:33 PM

The Scotsman iPad app is available free for the next 18 days. Why not try it out? Not likely with grammar like this: EDUCATION Secretary Mike Russell, and the Scottish Conservative’s Educations Spokeswoman Liz Smith clashed in parliament last week, with Mr Russell labelling Ms Smith’s stance on university tuition fees ‘anti-Scottish.’

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Buford Van Stomm

Monday, February 6, 2012 at 10:31 AM

1 Knowing too much =================================================== Given you are looking for a second hand car on an internet site of a national newspaper i think your opinion is probably worthless.

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Knowing too much

Monday, February 6, 2012 at 09:57 AM

If you don't know, check out Menteith's credentials before you decide whether reading what he writes is worth your while. I'd take my search for used car elsewhere.

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