Its not the students that should be out on the streets protesting about University fees, its people like me! We're the ones who will, inevitably, have to put our hands in our pockets and help pay for our kids to go to University. We're the ones who are going to be most impacted by this, not the current crop of students. In fact, next time there is a student demo against the increase in fees, I think I might very well be at the front of the march!
I am the classic middle ground! I'm neither rich nor poor. Yeah, I get by, but I'm not awash with money. I certainly can't afford to pay £9K per annum , let alone £18K for having two of them there at the same time.....and that's before I even look at helping them with their drinking living expenses. Yet, the government will look at me and deem that I have to pay.
“Us” in the middle ground are the core demographic for University places. We are the middle classes, the aspirational generation, the silent majority yet, as far as I can see, we are the ones who are going to be squeezed the most. The uber rich have always easily been able to afford to send their kids to University. Sure, the poor should be given opportunities to do so, and I think they always have had that opportunity. There have always been schemes to encourage them to go and the ones that deserve to usually do go. Most either don't care, don't want to go or are just not clever enough.
Every time I hear debate about fees, this issue of helping the “less well off” comes up. Frankly, I'm not bothered about the less well off! Well, actually, back track on that. I am because I will become one of the “less well off” if and when my two go to University.
I've always been intrigued with student protest. Its such a transient thing. Typically students are at University for 3 years; a relatively very short period of time. They become hot under the collar about specific issues for this short space of time and then move on, usually forgetting about them or focussing on something else. Frequently, however, these issues are more long term. Certainly longer term than 3 years. They ARE issues which deserve longer terms action and/or protest.
There are two examples which spring to my mind whenever I seek to illustrate this; both opposite ends of student life.
First, when I was at University there was a protest against a visit to the University by Leon Brittan. This was a high profile visit and the protest was very controversial. The Police essentially formed a wedge and marched into the crowd to clear the steps of the Student Union building, so Leon could go through the front door. There were arrests and accusations of mistreatment by the Police. Amongst these was a student called Steven Shaw. Through the course of his action against the Police he was (falsely) counter accused of Perverting the Course of Justice. It was a MASSIVE issue for students at the time and was a hot topic of debate, action and protest throughout the University environment. (Ultimately he was forced to flee the Country to escape arrest). However, I went back to the Students Union 2 years later and no-one had even heard of him. The whole issue had been forgotten, not for poor Steven though, I'm sure!
Secondly (and I did say this was on the other end of the scale) when I was at University, there was a big student party every Tuesday night at a club called The International. It was MASSIVE. It was packed every week, with huge que's and it was THE place to be seen. Two years after I left, I decided to go back one Tuesday night. I easily walked in, no que's and the place was deserted. The whole vibe had moved on. Forgotten. In only two years it had gone from hero to zero! The students had moved on and left it behind. Much as they do with the things they protest about.
I really do think the issue of student fees is one that effects a wider community than just current students and I don't think they are powerful enough or long termist enough to effectively fight it. It's the parents that are most affected and arguably are in a better position to be able to do something tangible about it, hence why I'm writing this.
So, next time there is a student demo, look out for me. I'll be the idiot at the front!
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