Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/678/12364
From The Socialist newspaper, 6 July 2011
Socialist Students meeting prepares for new term
After an academic year which has seen hundreds of thousands of students and young people come to the streets in protest, the Socialist Students national meeting on 3 July was a brilliant opportunity for activists to come together to discuss the lessons of this movement.
Two sessions were held, the first discussing aspects of the attacks on education and the student movement and the second an organisational session.
Socialist Students correctly predicted that students, facing the trebling of tuition fees, draconian education cuts and the scrapping of EMA student payments would be forced to fight back. We were the first organisation to make the call for student strikes and walkouts.
Socialist Students members played an important role in organising the huge student protests at the end of 2010. Also, we raised the demand for democracy and accountability of different organising groups within the movement.
In the new academic year, the cap on university places will remain or could even be extended and we could see the unchecked expansion of private universities and the backdoor privatisation of state universities.
We need mass student support for strikes of education workers as they continue in the autumn. Let's make 5 November, when the Jarrow March for Jobs arrives in central London and marches into Trafalgar Square, the date of the next national demonstration against fees and education cuts.
We discussed the importance of Socialist Students having campaign stalls throughout university freshers' weeks. These should advertise introductory meetings that discuss who we are and what our ideas are.
Socialist Students will hit the ground running in the new term, and with our energy, activity and ideasm is uniquely placed on campuses to offer leadership.
Ian Pattison and Alex Moore
Why not click here to join the Socialist Party, or click here to donate to the Socialist Party.
In The Socialist 6 July 2011:
30th June strike and after
Next time - strike together...
24-hour public sector general strike as next step to beat the Con-Dems
Standing up to a weak government
Labour - condemned for condemning strike
Walkout at Wormwood Scrubs prison
30 June pension strike reports
Socialist Party news and analysis
Leaked memo shows government lied over its homeless policies
Dilnot report: A disservice to disabled and older people
Durham Miners' Gala: Miliband pulls out
Stop the racist and divisive EDL
Time to defend abortion rights... again
Socialist Party workplace news
Southampton council workers strike on same day as teachers, lecturers and civil servants
Birmingham - the fightback begins
Leeds Unison members decisively reject the council's final offer
Fawley refinery construction engineers summarily sacked
Fighting pension cuts and the anti-union laws
Successful NSSN meeting in Coventry
International socialist news and analysis
East Belfast riots: Only united working class action can prevent further attacks
Kazakhstan: Striking oil workers attempt to break news blockade
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
All workers: unite to fight for decent jobs
High street job cuts: Jane Norman worker speaks out
Socialist Students meeting prepares for new term
Youth Fight for Jobs: campaign moving forward
Day-Mer festival support for 30 June pensions strike
Socialist Party reviews
Socialist Party
Building the socialist alternative on 30 June
Socialist Party youth meeting: Successful and insightful
Home | The Socialist 6 July 2011 | Join the Socialist Party
Join us today!
Printable version
email to friend
