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So will the mighty weight of Mr Brown convince voters that the Prime Minister is right to issue such a fundamental reform?



Jane Dodge visited Putney, a constituency in South London, to find out.



There was festive cheer on the part of one Labour party activist at least.



But few others at this Xmas bazaar in Putney felt there was anything to celebrate.



There's deep concern and some confusion about why the Government - and in particular - Tony Blair seem determined to introduce top up fees.



Labour supporters in Putney are right to be nervous. The Tories already have this marginal constituency in their sights.



Michael Howard chose to make his first speech here as newly anointed leader of the opposition.



‘I wanted my first public statement as leader to be away from Westminster, here in Putney, on an estate in a constituency where Conservatives must start to win again,’ he said.



The Tories will have to win back this seat if they're to get into Government next time round.



Mr Howard seems to think top up fees may well be the issue that helps him do that.



Speaking today he said the level of student drop-out rates meant it was pointless for ministers to impose "top up" fees to pay for a further expansion of the university sector.



With increasing speculation that dissent on this issue includes members of the cabinet - Gordon Brown has given his strongest backing yet.



Writing in today’s Sun newspaper, the Chancellor says: 'Tony Blair is right to make this one of the great reform issues of this Government.



'I have always been in favour of reforming the structure of university funding, it is the right policy for the future of Britain.'



Back in Putney that makes the Labour MP feel even more vulnerable.



He backs his Government on the idea of students paying back fees once they're earning. But he's deeply opposed to.



So what are the alternatives?