HORNSEY and Wood Green MP Lynne Featherstone is undecided about whether she will honour her pre-election pledge to oppose a rise in student fees and vote against it.

The junior minister for equalities was one of the many Liberal Democrats who backed an National Union of Students (NUS) campaign promising to: "vote against any increase in fees in the next parliament and to pressure the government to introduce a fairer alternative".

As a minister, she is expected to vote in line with all Government proposals but said was unable to make a decision until proposals were finalised.

In a blog published yesterday, Ms Featherstone said: "I won't make a final decision until the final proposals are on the table.

"I will have three choices in theory: support the Government (and as a Minister this would be the norm), abstain as per the coalition agreement or vote against as per the NUS pledge."

The MP, now serving the first year of her second term, said she had always believed that education should be free "for everyone", but said it was inevitable that fees would have to rise because of pressures on public finances.

Under the plans, top universities would be able to charge up to £9,000 per year and others would be able to charge up to £6,000.

Aaron Porter, NUS president, said: "Many Liberal Democrats would have felt incredibly uncomfortable ...knowing they are being asked to railroad these proposals through Parliament and to betray the students and their families who voted for them.

"Students will remind MPs in their constituencies of the promises they made to voters."