Socialism 2008

A future for youth

Socialism 2008, photo Paul Mattsson

A whole generation has grown up during a boom in Britain but are now faced with the crisis in the world economy and its consequences. Young people are looking for alternatives, looking to the ideas of socialism, of Karl Marx and others.

Matt Dobson, Socialist Students national organiser, explained in the session on the future for young people that there will also be increasing numbers of young people pushed into struggle as the capitalists attempt to make us pay for their crisis.

Lin from Southampton Socialist Students invited people to the demonstration they are organising for free education on 1 December, and reported on their campaigns against staff cuts at the university.

Iain Dalton spoke about the campaign for his students union in Bangor to take up a fighting strategy for free education, successful despite the scandalous efforts of the NUS leadership to derail it.

Neil Cafferky warned about growing alienation and the threat of gun and knife crime, especially in London and other big cities.

Others mentioned the fact that Paddy Power is now taking bets on which city will see the first riots as a result of the credit crunch. The threat of a growth in support for the far-right racist British National Party was also raised, but campaigns involving young people can be mobilised against them.

Shop workers also spoke of the anger that exists in their workplaces and the leading role that young people could play in the workers' and trade union movement. Overall it was an excellent discussion and it is clear that there is enthusiasm for socialism, and potential for big movements of young people in the coming years.

Ben Robinson

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Birmingham, Erdington, March for Youth Jobs

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Young people explain why they're angry

Young people:

Leicester Socialist Party: Building support for socialism among young people

The ugly truth behind the latest unemployment figures

Merseyside Socialist Party: How can young people fight back?

Next threat to under-25s: Housing Benefit

Socialism:

Why I joined the Socialist Party

Planning for the Planet

There is an alternative - socialism!

Students:

Strike at Sussex Downs College

Demo against cuts at Salford university

Good result for Socialist Students candidates in NUS elections

Socialism 2008:

Videos of the debate between the Socialist Party and the SWP

Socialist Students:

Bradford Socialist Party and Socialist Students: The Arab Spring one year on

Liverpool Hope University Socialist Students: The Arab Spring one year on

Manchester Socialist Students public meeting: The Arab Spring one year on

Education:

Our education under attack

Lincolnshire academies in crisis

Southampton TUSC and Socialist Party: Defend Education, No Academies, Restore EMA