Willetts views university’s campus (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Prospective Tory MP Steve Brine shows David Willetts Winchester university

7:40am Thursday 15th April 2010 in Politics By Chris Harris

TORY prospective MP Steve Brine welcomed David Willetts to Winchester — the second shadow cabinet minister to visit the city within a week.

The pair spent an hour touring the University of Winchester’s Sparkford Road campus, including a new performing arts centre and residential block.

Last Tuesday Mr Brine began his campaigning by hosting a visit from Theresa May.

Mr Willetts, shadow secretary of state for universities, discussed issues facing higher education with deputy vice chancellor Tommy Geddes, and representatives from the newlyformed Conservative Student Society.

“The younger generation have had a raw deal in this recession,” said Mr Willetts.

“They’ve been worst hit by unemployment and have struggled to get their voice heard.

“I think coming out to vote here in Winchester is crucial for them.

“I hope what we have in the manifesto launched this week on the environment, education, strengthening our society and reforming our politics, are proposals people will find well worth voting for.”

Mr Brine said: “It was good to have Mr Willetts here and of course we discussed the issues around student fees and Lord Brown’s wider review of higher education which will report later this year.

“As Mr Willetts made clear, we think that review should have at its heart what we can do to improve the student experience young people here have rightly come to expect.

“It would, in our view, be wholly irresponsible now to pre-empt what Lord Brown will say and make unfunded promises that suit an election campaign.Young voters are very switched on in my experience, and know nothing comes for free.”