Protest just a beginning

Published: 26 November, 2010

• STUDENTS, lecturers, support workers and the public were united at a rally on Wednesday in protest at the cuts in the education maintenance allowance (EMA), adult learning grant and education. They were also protesting against the victimisation of some of those who protested at the Tory Party HQ.

 The fact that our protest was addressed by MP Jeremy Corbyn, Labour council leader Councillor Catherine West, Holloway bus garage convenor Paul Brandon and by the Trades Council, Islington Hands Off Our Public Services Coalition, the NUT and Unison demonstrates the unity and depth of feeling at government policy that will make education a privilege not a right.

The tuition fee hike will close off higher education for all but the rich and the heroic. The 80 per cent cut in public funding for teaching will threaten the existence of possibly 30 institutions. Government interference in provision will threaten the very idea of a university education.  

The ending of EMA and adult learning grants will further reduce the number of young people aged 16 to 19 in education. 

The imposition of fees for those over 25 will deny a second chance to many who will need new qualifications and skills in this harsh economic climate.

The impact, if the Con-Dems are allowed to get away with it, would be mass youth unemployment and redundancies for their teachers.

That is why the trade unions and community organisations in Islington are committed to solidarity with the students and staff fighting these cuts and to defending those who have been victimised for exercising their right to protest. 

This protest is just a beginning of the united fight back that the Con-Dems can expect whenever they attack our public services.

ANDY STROUTHOUS
City and Islington Camden Road University and College Union branch secretary