Cherie's fees comments highlight how isolated Blair really is

5.41.22pm GMT Mon 7th Nov 2005

Edward Davey MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Education Secretary, responding to Cherie Blair's admission in Counsel magazine that she would have ended up working in a shop if she had not benefited from a free university education, said:

"I warmly welcome Cherie Blair's recognition that a free university education was vital for her and, by implication, vital for tens of thousands like her.

"It's a terrible tragedy that her husband has decided to pull up the ladder of opportunity behind him.

"The Prime Minister seems to be an ever more isolated figure. It is no longer just his Cabinet colleagues and Labour backbenchers who are increasingly critical of this government's policies, the growing sense of disillusionment is also clearly felt by his wife."