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Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Nov 10 2010, 04:30 PM

Is the current violence that has been perpetrated by a small number of the marchers protesting about cuts to UNI funding just the start of the problems that these cuts are going to cause?

I am all for peaceful protest but the Met should come down on these people like a ton of bricks. Get them charged and kicked out of UNI. Then they won't have to worry about tuition fees and they can get a job - if they are lucky!

Posted by: Richard Garvie Nov 10 2010, 04:50 PM

Did you see the fire extinguisher?

I think it's a huge shame that a small number of people are causing these problems, and I too worry about some of the protests that may happen about other cuts. Let's hope any marching or protesting remains peaceful, ot alternatively done at the ballot box. I think Clegg is on a losing battle with his seat next time round being in a strong student seat.

Posted by: NWNREADER Nov 10 2010, 05:01 PM

Are the 'criminal' protesters students at a University?

According to Mr Clegg on PMQs the £9k is the maximum the Uni can charge, nil paid up front, not all students will pay the full amount and many will pay nothing.

In this fog of claim, counter claim and obfuscation, is the truth getting lost?

Posted by: GMR Nov 10 2010, 05:19 PM

People have a right to protest and vent their anger, but they should do it peacefully. Using violence won't help their cause one bit. People will quickly turn against them.

Posted by: Biker1 Nov 10 2010, 05:57 PM

The Poll Tax (Community Charge) protests became very violent and THEY go what they wanted!

Posted by: NWNREADER Nov 10 2010, 06:08 PM

Did they? Really? (Get what they wanted).

Sometimes we have to be wary what we wish for, and there is still debate that an individual charge was fairer than 'Rates' or even the current 'Council Tax'.

Posted by: GMR Nov 10 2010, 06:20 PM

Yes, but that was because everybody wanted that (the whole country was behind it). Tuition fees and such are usually a minority interest.

Posted by: Biker1 Nov 10 2010, 06:22 PM

It may have been fairer especially for those like me who already paid the rates.
But for those who had previously paid nothing and were to be charged under this individual tax it meant paying out for the services they used.
It was mainly these people who protested (rioted).
The protests (riots) stopped the charge and they remained exempt while the good old property owner had to pay out to cover it with the new council tax..
(And boy have we paid out! )

Posted by: GrumblingAgain Nov 10 2010, 08:31 PM

Lefties always seem to set their "cause" back miles by their antics.

Whether it's tambourine banging, beady haired, face painted hippy types dangling from trees in a failed attempt to stop some road scheme from being built (Newbury, Winchester etc) or face covered thugs attempting murder by lobbing fire extinguishers off a high tower block (Millbank), lefties never really get their message across properly and all they ever do is build up resentment against them because the public then feels they do not represent them.

Posted by: Bill1 Nov 10 2010, 08:40 PM

I bet the perps weren't students at all and I feel sorry for the Police. They are going to suffer cuts too and are only trying to keep the peace, some of them probably agree with the protesters reasons.

Posted by: Jayjay Nov 10 2010, 11:04 PM

Maximum is £9,000 pa. Most courses are three years, therefore £27,000. Interest also accrues on this loan until it is repaid.

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Nov 11 2010, 09:50 AM

Perhaps the Students should count themselves lucky?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/8570153.stm

It's just an excuse for the anarchists and unwashed to commit anarchic acts against the elected Government of the day. I hope the police find the lad who threw the fire extinguisher and he gets put away for attempted murder.

Posted by: Ozzy Nov 11 2010, 10:00 AM

For what its worth I agree with the ethos of the protest, but as already stated violence is not the right way to go about it. I bet there are a lot of students really disappointed with the minority of idiots that caused this as the sheer numbers in the protest was very impressive and I think they would have had a lot of media focus and support had the whole thing not boiled over.

Clegg and the Lib Dems have broken a promise, one which I am sure they gathered many support on during their election campaign. I think people have a right to be disappointed by that. He signed a pledge to not increase the fees.

Students cannot continue to finish year on year with £20-30,000 worth of debt. It's illogical to expect them to do so and then contribute to the economy in vast amounts. They are the future of the country and they will be severely handicapped before they even begin.

Lest we forget the protesters who broke windows at the offices of the Royal Bank of Scotland ahead of the G20 summit.

Posted by: blackdog Nov 11 2010, 10:05 AM

Or, alternatively: long haired student types dig up cricket pitches, invade rugby pitches and make apartheid an international issue, eventually leading to its demise. Long haird lefties like their leader/spokesman Peter Hain, until recently a cabinet minister.

Around the same time students were stagins sit-ins and protests about the Vietnam War etc - a war the US eventually dropped as the tide of public opinion (led by 'lefties') turned against the war. Now who was leading the National Union of Students at the time? Jack Straw, until recently a cabinet minister.

Protest often fails, but not always. And leading protesters can go on and represent the public at a very high level.

Posted by: Iommi Nov 11 2010, 11:01 AM

Then there's PIRA terrorists, now members of Government.

Posted by: Ozzy Nov 11 2010, 11:12 AM

'To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men'
Abraham Lincoln

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Nov 11 2010, 11:19 AM

I noticed they all disappeared before HollyOaks started!
Far too many Students in this Country. More people should be in Apprenticeships learning trade skills. You used to be needed to be 'clever' to go to University. Now it would seem to be a rite of passage.

Posted by: Biker1 Nov 11 2010, 11:49 AM

They may have failed with those two but the tide of road building in this country changed because of these protests (and others).
(Not all those protesting against the Western By Pass were "tambourine banging, beady haired, face painted hippy types dangling from trees")

Posted by: blackdog Nov 11 2010, 12:34 PM

Not really the same thing - protests, even when they turn violent, are a long way from bombings, shootings and knee capping. I guess that most governments have their roots in a violent struggle of some sort, certainly the English does.

Protest is a legitimate way of making clear one's feelings for or against something - sometimes it works. Without protests we wouldn't have the vote, we could be press ganged into the navy, we wouldn't have trade unions, hangings would be taking place all the time, we would be paying poll tax, etc. Many of the 'advances' (like them or loathe them) towards modern society, towards the things we now talk about as 'rights', were only won from the government of the day through protest.

Posted by: spartacus Nov 11 2010, 12:53 PM

Hang on.... Did Erica Roe do her 'wobbly dash' as part of the Free Mandela movement? Well I never... every day's a school day!

Posted by: HJD Nov 11 2010, 04:03 PM

Cor well done spartacus, that's brightened up a dull afternoon. Forgot what a well built young lady she was.

Posted by: GMR Nov 11 2010, 05:14 PM

Wasn't Erica Roe popular for two things?

Posted by: Dodgys smarter brother. Nov 11 2010, 07:00 PM

Love the fag stuck out of the corner of the mouth, gives her a real sense of 'class'

Posted by: GMR Nov 11 2010, 07:36 PM

Ohhhhhh.... I never noticed that

Posted by: Darren Nov 11 2010, 07:45 PM

Pay to do "Media Studies"? Perhaps they'll start doing proper courses now...

Posted by: spartacus Nov 11 2010, 08:54 PM

I love the belt buckle.... (well once you start lookin' at the photo you start looking dontcha...?) I had one like that...!!

Posted by: GMR Nov 11 2010, 09:15 PM

Well, some go for the belt, others the cigarette in the mouth (unless she is sucking a lollipop). Any takers on the neck scarf? We'll know when things get really stupid when somebody comments on her shoes

Posted by: Richard Garvie Nov 12 2010, 12:28 AM

Apparently funding has been axed on all course but science. EVEN ENGLISH!!!

Posted by: Iommi Nov 12 2010, 02:48 AM

You drew into question my example as being too extreme. I'd say that there is also a difference between the examples you gave in the second paragraph (examples ranging from social abuse through to tyranny) and the 'student riot'.

Posted by: Darren Nov 12 2010, 09:57 AM

If buy English you mean Language then I'd hope they would already have that mastered. If you mean Literature then I think it's only fair that has been chopped as I see that more as a personal indulgence than as a benefit to mankind.

Posted by: Phil_D11102 Nov 12 2010, 03:55 PM

I agree with the protests, but I don't ever agree with violence.

How long will it be before new certified teachers, nurses and other graduate taking public service low paid positions will be earning enough to pay back the loans, that in the meantime will still be growing due to intrest?

Loads of promises have been broken, maybe it's time that people take to their feet and make their voices heard. It's funny the the polices of the parties prior to the election don't meet the expections of those who voted them in power. Personally, I think that protest will be the only form of communication that those in power will listen to at this moment of time, as it's clear that their conscience and moral values have decided to take a back seat until the next election.

"Who can protest an injustice but does not is an accomplice to the act” - The Talmund

Posted by: Richard Garvie Nov 12 2010, 04:52 PM

Nice to see they got the guy who dropped the fire extinguisher of the building.

Posted by: GMR Nov 12 2010, 05:24 PM

That was stupid, I hope he goes away for that!!!

Posted by: Strafin Nov 12 2010, 06:19 PM

I love quotes about language!