BRITAIN: The British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, geared up yesterday for a bitter fight with his party which could define his political future at a difficult time in his premiership.
Mr Blair's government published a controversial higher education bill that has angered Labour Party parliamentarians so much he risks his first defeat on a major policy issue.
A vote on the bill, due within weeks, could coincide with the other looming danger for the prime minister - Lord Hutton's report on the suicide of a British weapons expert, which is likely to apportion some blame to the government.
Mr Blair plans to make students pay more for their studies and allow elite universities to charge higher fees than others.
Education Secretary, Mr Charles Clarke said in parliament that the bill would provide colleges with desperately needed resources while abolishing up-front fees for students and reintroducing grants for those from poor families.
"This is a coherent package to be taken as a whole or not at all," he said.
"If not supported by the House, none of these benefits will arise. It is not a pick and mix menu."
More than 150 Labour MPs have signed a motion opposing universities charging variable fees. They say underprivileged students will be priced out of going to the best institutions.
If more than 80 of them join opposition parties in rejecting the bill, it will be defeated.
"I find the concept of variability impossible to accept," Labour MP Mr Brian Iddon said.
Mr Blair has publicly said his authority is on the line. If he loses, his drive to reform public services will be ruined.
On variable fees and the Hutton Inquiry, his Conservative opponents are putting pressure on the government. "If both go badly, the prime minister will be in a very deep hole," one Labour MP said.
Government scientist David Kelly slashed his wrist last July after being outed as the source behind a BBC reporter's claim that Mr Blair's team inflated the threat posed by Iraq to justify war. The government helped make Kelly's name public. - (Reuters)