Tuition fee pledge 'was a mistake'

After the election the government was forced into an embarrassing U-turn when plans to charge students “aroused unbelievably tenacious dissent” and ultimately cost Labour seats at the next general election.

But Mr Blair said the decision was necessary after receiving a stark warning in late 2001 from heads of the Russell Group – the 20 leading universities – that they needed significantly more funding.

The former Prime Minister also reveals how he found civil liberties arguments surrounding the planned introduction of identity cards “a little absurd” and describes himself as “by instinct a liberal” on everything except law and order.