I WRITE in response to John A Wallace about Hugh Bayley's change of mind on top-up fees for university students (January 27).

While I accept the right of every individual to reconsider the arguments and come to a new conclusion, it is not acceptable for a constituency MP to be elected on a clear manifesto pledge on which they later turn their back.

How can the Labour Party hope to convince the British people to take more interest in the democratic process when their election manifestos contain no more than hollow promises?

In this instance, I believe Mr Bayley has let his constituents down by voting with the Government on a Bill which will reduce opportunities for less privileged young people who will be forced to consider the cost of a course over its content when deciding their academic future. They may be deterred from attending university altogether.

Hugh Bayley has demonstrated that he does not hold his manifesto pledges to be of great importance.

Kate Herbert,

Stonegate, York.

Updated: 10:53 Thursday, January 29, 2004