THE Government tonight won a crucial Commons vote on raising the upper level of tuition fees to £9,000 after a debate which exposed deep divisions in the coalition.
MPs voted 323 votes to 302, a majority of 21 in favour of the motion despite vocal opposition from some Liberal Democrats and a handful of Tory MPs.
Mid Dorset MP Annette Brooke was one of those Lib Dems who voted against the motion, saying she was going to stand by the pledge she made to voters.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said he was "proud" of the Government's package, which will allow English universities to treble fees from 2012.
Mr Cable, a Lib Dem, insisted the plan was "progressive" and would "maintain high quality universities in the long term".
The vote followed a fractious five-hour debate and took place as protesters opposed to the rise in fees clashed with police in the streets outside Parliament.
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