University ideals and Labour’s tuition fee policy | Letters

Universities, you say, are “about more than the acquisition of a checklist of professional competences” (Editorial, 28 February). Absolutely. But Cardinal Newman’s “idea of a university” encompassed only the sons (no women, no adults) of elites (no plebs). For universities’ role in a democracy, RH Tawney’s ideas, and ideals, offer much more. They were forged teaching working-class men and women, and in living and fighting with them on the western front.

Of course, Tawney said, different jobs require “different kinds of professional instruction”. But that does not justify excluding anyone from “the common heritage of civilisation” that a university should provide.

Ed Miliband had a chance to announce something radical and inspiring on education, but has yet again failed to deliver