Disaffected dons join Tory party policy group

Academics opposed to the government's further and higher education policies are being recruited to a Conservative Party liaison group. Around 100 Conservative-supporting academics, including many vice-chancellors and college principals, have already indicated support for the party's academic liaison programme. The programme proved effective in the 1970s but fell into disuse during the long period of Conservative rule.

Damian Green, opposition spokesman for further and higher education, said that the liaison programme would help mobilise opposition forces in the post-16 sectors.