By IRNA,
London : Student leaders in Britain Thursday condemned the lack of diversity in Prime Minister David Cameron’s cabinet, which includes only four women and one from ethnic communities.
The National Union of Students (NUS) also accused the Liberal Democrats of reneging on their pledge to oppose any increase in university tuition fees under the terms of the agreement to enter the coalition government with the Conservatives.
Cameron named just four women ministers in his new 29-member cabinet, and only one, Baroness Warsi, who was promoted as chair of the Conservatives, from ethnic minority communities.
“It is a disgrace that Cameron’s cabinet completely forgets about women. Without women represented at the top table, women’s voices and concerns won’t be heard,” said NUS Women’s Officer Olivia Bailey.
Cameron claimed the centre-right/centre-left government was opening a new age of politics in Britain, but Bailey called on the coalition to “ensure that women aren’t the victim of the Con-Dem deal.”
Black Students Officer Bellavia Ribeiro Addy also condemned the cabinet of not being representative by its shortage of ethnic minority representatives.
“This Government has clearly paid lip service to the black communities’ demands for increased black representation at all levels and should be ashamed of the lack of diversity in the cabinet,” Ribeiro Addy said.
Concern was also expressed that the coalition deal that took five days to agree was negotiated by only all-while male representatives from the two parties.
In a separate statement obtained by IRNA, students also called upon the Lib Dems not to abandon their opposition to increases in university tuition fees as a result of their government coalition with the Conservatives.
The coalition deal says it is waiting the result of a report into higher education funding, but adds that arrangement will be made to allow Lib Dems to abstain from voting on proposals which they are unable to accept.
“Given the individual compact they made with their electorate through the Vote for Students pledge, it is incumbent on them to oppose any attempt to raise the cap on fees and to press the government for a fairer alternative,” the NUS warned.