'Invest in the future' says leading Tory

Adam Hewitt • Published 21 Apr 2010 09:00 Comments 1 Comment

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EDUCATION took centre stage this week as the Tory higher education spokesman visited Reading University.

David Willetts said high-tech investment at Reading University that boosts local businesses is the wave of the future.

He was visiting the university's newly-opened Chemical Analysis Facility (CAF), a £4.5m research centre helping scientists across a wide range of disciplines, from archaeology and agriculture to medicine and engineering.

Mr Willetts, accompanied by incumbent Reading East Tory MP Rob Wilson and Reading West candidate Alok Sharma, got a real buzz out of the futuristic kit, declaring it "fantastic" and adding: "Improving the British economy makes science, technology and engineering particularly important."

Speaking to the Chronicle during Monday's visit, he denied that students and young people are flocking to the Lib Dems, as suggested by recent polls, saying Conservative societies on campuses were booming.

He said: "Young people are very attracted by David Cameron's message. We will provide 10,000 extra student places this summer."

His party has not taken a stand on the controversial top-up fees debate and proposals to remove the cap on fees, letting universities charge different amounts. It is waiting for the outcome of an independent review by Lord Browne, but critics say this is just a way of keeping the debate buried until after the election.

Mr Willetts said: "It should be a higher education funding review, not just be a fees review."

He heard from Dr Andy Russell, a former science lecturer of the year, and said teaching was as important as research.

Dr Russell, who developed the science case for the CAF said: "Before we had this facility there were serious limitations on what we could do but that's changed almost overnight."

The CAF was opened by Professor David Garner, president of the Royal Society of Chemistry, at a ceremony last week.

He said: "The CAF will raise the profile of Reading, especially enhancing links with commercial enterprises that require scientific expertise, and facilitate the establishment of small and medium enterprises associated with the university."

Mr Willetts and the Tory team also spent the afternoon canvassing in nearby Shinfield Road.

Mr Wilson said the party's message was getting a great reaction on the doorstep.

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west side tory
Unregistered User
Apr 22, 15:36
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Excellent photo - is one of Willetts' brains in there?

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