Vote on students' fees puts Clegg to test

London: Britain's parliament plans to vote next Thursday on plans to raise tuition fees for university students, an issue which has split the Liberal Democrats, the junior partner in the Conservative-led coalition.

Students and teenage school pupils are expected to hold further protests to coincide with the vote, following three demonstrations which have all ended in violence in recent weeks.

The vote, the date of which was confirmed yesterday, will be a test of Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg's nerve and authority.

It is unlikely to bring down a coalition which took power seven months ago, but could badly damage Clegg's standing within his own ranks.

The left-leaning party pledged to phase out tuition fees during the campaign for May's election and is divided on how to vote on the issue.