BBC (Tuesday): Blair preparing for crunch 48 hours

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From the BBC Online
Dated Tuesday January 27 03:29 GMT (Monday 7:29 pm PST)

Blair preparing for crunch 48 hours

Tony Blair is entering the toughest 48 hours of his premiership as MPs prepare to vote on university top-up fees and publication of the Hutton report nears.
The prime minister spoke to Labour MPs on Monday and, it was claimed, won over some waverers for the fees vote.
However, further concessions have been ruled out and Downing Street said the numbers were still "too close to call".
Hours beforehand ministers get their copies of the Hutton report into the death of scientist Dr David Kelly.

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1. Guardian Utd (Tuesday): Blair 20 votes from safety

From the Guardian Unlimited (UK)
Dated Tuesday January 27

Blair 20 votes from safety
Prime minister scrambles to avoid defeat at 7pm tonight
By Patrick Wintour, Lucy Ward and Nicholas Watt

An 11th hour effort by the deputy prime minister, John Prescott, to broker a deal on tuition fees broke down last night with the government angrily telling the rebels they now had to chose between Tony Blair or Michael Howard in tonight's key vote.
Mr Prescott had been struggling to find a form of words to buy off the rebels. But opponents held out for an undertaking that variable fees will be shelved for at least three years, something Mr Blair refused to concede.
Mr Prescott attempted to sway the rebels by brokering a meeting between Mr Blair and the two ringleaders, George Mudie and Nick Brown, in the prime minister's office yesterday afternoon. The discussion lasted 45 minutes but failed to secure a breakthrough.
One angry rebel said: "It was an attempt to intimidate us." Government sources said it was a serious discussion but later admitted that talks had broken down, adding: "There will be no further concessions. It will be make your mind up time." Labour MPs would "have to chose between their own government and Michael Howard when they go through the lobbies."

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