Time to face facts

Margaret Hodge's views at the Association of University Teachers conference reflect government policy ("'Callous' Hodge is berated by union", THES , May 17). For years, universities have faced downgrading, now a modernising government is accelerating this. It argues it has a mandate. If lecturers have belatedly woken up to this, the AUT is free to campaign for a different trajectory. How likely are they to do so?

Alan Hallsworth
Alsager, Cheshire