UK Students Again Turn Violent During Tuition Protests
- Posted on December 9, 2010 at 11:25am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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LONDON (AP) — Police with riot shields held off angry student protesters marching to London’s Parliament Square on Thursday as lawmakers debated a controversial plan to triple university tuition fees in England.
Thousands of students held demonstrations and sit-ins throughout the country, heaping pressure on the government to reverse course. Students marched through central London, banging drums, waving placards and chanting “education is not for sale,” as weeks of nationwide protests reached a crescendo.
Small groups of protesters tore down barricades and threw paint bombs as police with batons fended off others in attempts to reinforce a security cordon near Parliament. Despite minor scuffles, the massive march remained largely peaceful.
The tuition vote poses a crucial test for both the Conservative‘s governing coalition with the Liberal Democrats and the government’s austerity plans to reduce Britain’s budget deficit.
The vote put Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and other Liberal Democrat leaders in an awkward spot. Liberal Democrats signed a pre-election pledge to oppose any such tuition hike, and have reserved the right to abstain in the vote even though they are part of the governing coalition proposing the change.
Those protesting in central London were particularly incensed by what seems like a broken pledge by Clegg’s party.
“I’m here because the Liberal Democrats broke their promise,” said 19-year-old Kings College student Shivan David from London’s Trafalgar Square. “I don‘t think education should be free but I do think that tripling fees doesn’t make any sense. We are paying more for less.”
Inside the House of Commons and to the jeers from the opposition lawmakers, Business Secretary Vince Cable insisted Thursday that the new tuition plans were “progressive” as a heated debate over the proposal began.
While some Liberal Democrats — and even a few members of Prime Minister David Cameron’s Conservative Party — have declared their opposition, the increase is still likely to pass.
“The real danger for the government is not that they won’t pass it through, but that it will be a policy fiasco,” said Patrick Dunleavy, a political science professor at the London School of Economics. “By picking this fight with the student body … the government seems to have gotten itself into choppy water.”
All of this has made Clegg one of the least popular politicians on university campuses. Protesters chanting “Nick Clegg, shame on you for turning blue” underscored the sense of betrayal, while the front page of the Daily Mirror newspaper called Clegg “the pathetic Pinocchio of politics.”
The deputy prime minister defended his decision to support the proposals, saying the plans represent the “best possible choice” at a time of economic uncertainty.
“In the circumstances in which we face, where there isn’t very much money around, where many millions of other people are being asked to make sacrifices, where many young people in the future want to go to university, we have to find the solution for all of that,” Clegg told the BBC.
Cameron’s government describes the move as a painful necessity to deal with a record budget deficit and a sputtering economy. To balance its books, the U.K. passed a four-year package of spending cuts worth 81 billion pounds ($128 billion), which will lead to the loss of hundreds of thousands of public sector jobs and cut or curtail hundreds of government programs.
The government proposed raising the maximum university tuition fees in England from 3,000 pounds (about $4,700) a year to 9,000 pounds (about $14,000). Students reacted with mass protests that have been marred by violence and have paralyzed some campuses.
In response, the government modified its plan by raising the income level at which graduates must start repaying student loans and by making more part-time students eligible for loans.
Students have said the concessions are not enough to lessen the blow of higher fees. They say that under the proposal, piles of debt will plague graduates and make a well-rounded education unattainable for many.
The controversy has highlighted regional educational differences in the United Kingdom.
The Welsh regional government has pledged to subsidize the higher fees for any student from Wales who enrolls at an English university. Student fees in Scotland are just 1,820 pounds ($2,875) per year, sparking fears of a future stampede of bargain-hunting students from England. Northern Ireland’s fees are capped at 3,290 pounds ($5,200) a year.
___
AP writer Gillian Smith in London contributed to this story.
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Comments (109)
Flux
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 2:33pmDo you have to be a Mexican to be able to legally enter the USA illegally? I haven’t read the NIGHTMARE bill all the way through yet. If not, I mean, if just any foreigner can now legally cross our borders illegally, I would just come to America and go to school over here. Either way I’d quit school. It would be one thing to raise the tuition 20%, but 300%? I would pound the pavement for a job, no matter how tough the times, and hope to land one and some on-the-job training. I can go to the library and read books and/or go to Beck U. and save the $
Report Post »Parkeralan
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 2:28pm“I’m here because the Liberal Democrats broke their promise”. I love it, it sounds like people are getting hip to Lib’s everywhere.
Take notes my fellow Blazers, this is coming to a city near you. The older the baby the harder to wean. Wah Wah Wah!
Report Post »CaptainSpaulding
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 2:23pmWell we have to keep our upper middle class college and university professors in their upscale lifestyle.
You students are fighting the wrong people – which just goes to show you’re not the best or the brightest that Britain has to offer.
It’s funny because British soldiers are being sold out and no one says anything.
But tuition goes up a few bucks and angry violent protests…
Report Post »stewartist
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 2:22pmThese Kids wouldn’t last one second in a REAL confrontation (WAR)…A bunch of spoiled, Ignorant BRATS!
Report Post »sdranger
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 2:00pmBECKISNUTS: It will happen here and it already has… remember LA after the Rodney King verdict? The real difference between our cities protesting and those of London are we know how to do it better. What was it? Like 56 people killed and the National Guard called out locked and loaded.
Report Post »jedi.kep
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 3:47pmI was going to say the same thing to beckisnuts. He clearly has his head up his rear end. When I read his post I almost screamed, “It’s already happening here STUPID!” LOL.
Report Post »Redistributor
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 1:52pmEven at 9,000 pounds per year ($14,000 USD) is comparable to here in the U.S. for tuition.
Report Post »Redistributor
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 1:49pmDon’t these students know there are online programs (many options) and they don’t have to put up with this rate increase?
Report Post »rbagala
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 1:44pmObviously the need to balance the budget includes increasing student fees and there is logic to that. But what I failed to read is any other austerity programs aimed at the educational system that would also help in balancing the budget. Where are the salary freeze or salary cuts on Teachers and administrators? where are other cuts such as unneeded extra curricular programs?
I am sure there are many other areas in which the British government can cut in order to balance the budget and in doing so not put all the burden on the students, who by the way can seek education in other English speaking nations whose foreign student fees are less than what is proposed by the British government.
Report Post »bulletsinthegun
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 1:21pmThis is what the Van Jones of the world want. Time to prepare yourself and family. It is not going to get better for awhile.It is coming our way soon. Get some food and water stockpiled, get a car or truck that has no computer and keep it in good running condition. Have a plan for the future, it is a rapid changing world. Last make sure you are armed
Report Post »bulletsinthegun
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 6:47pmget a car before computers
Report Post »jedi.kep
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 1:06pmAmazing watching the video. “Union” signs. Muslim terrorist scarves. Students with Che’s picture on their clothing. All the usual suspects.
Thank God for my eyes being opened to look for and actually notice these things now. But to also know what they mean. Thanks to Glenn Beck and all the crew there who work so hard bringing the news.
Report Post »BeckIsNuts
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 1:01pmAdd your comments
Report Post »Richlove1
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 12:58pmMaybe the students will have to concentrate on shorter, cheaper programs focused on in-demand occupations, otherwise known as vocational school. Better that than the overpriced Marxist indoctrination mills we (and they) now have that are no guarantee of a good job.
Report Post »tierrah
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 3:49pmI agree, Rich. I’d rather see a nation of “common sense” folks than a populace of “educated”. After all, how many years of college did Abraham Lincoln attend? One learns by experiencing life, not by speculating what should or should not be. If you take a chance and fail, then you need to pick yourself up and try again. You can not learn without failing.
Report Post »RealProgress
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 12:53pmOkay, I am tired of staying silent here. How can most everyone on this forum sit idly by when you read things like Crossdraw writes. If you missed it:
Report Post »That d**khead with his mouth open? My vision is a 308 seeking that big mouth out and giving him a new mouth out the back of his head.
I have to admit I am new to the blaze (about a month) but I am generally saddened how the discussion has reverted to name calling and violent rhetoric. In order for us to obtain any kind of real progress we need to have honest debates even if someone’s opinion differs from your own slightly. The sane people here need to stand up.
RealProgress
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 3:12pmThe problem is that the substance is not here. I think if the righteous stand up to these people spouting hate and violence (both on the right and the left) then real progress can be made.
Report Post »Sgt.Crust
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 6:42pmHey realprogress, take you progressive shill somewhere else, this guy is mad as hell, and i dont blame him. None of us want or promote violence here, you freaking liberal/progressive/commuinist snots have called us bigots, reacists and teabaggers for long enough, so screw you and your one celled amoebic ideology and spew somewhere else! Take a hike!
Report Post »Disabledvet
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 12:47pmThe one guy states he is there because the liberal dems didnt keep the word, bull crap he is there because he is to lazy to get a job, if he was working he wouldn’t be at the protest.
Report Post »TerribleTroy
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 12:31pmAnd exactly what was it again that placed the UK in this financial circumstance? (Channeling Church Lady)….Could it be…….SOCIALISTS!?
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 12:03pmWe want free stuff, wah… :-(
Report Post »TexasCommonSense
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 11:44amNotice the Che Guevara image on one of their jackets? That says it all. These people hold a murderer in high regard in the name of “free stuff”.
Report Post »CaptGregg
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 1:08pmEven most of the parents of the kids that wear “Che” shirts were born after his death in 1967. To these kids, he is nothing more than a cool picture of someone they think rebelled against authority.
” A petty concern with mere evidence is an antiquated and bourgeois feature of the captalist legal system. We are revolutionaries. We convict from a revolutionary passion.” — Ernesto “Che” Guevara, who reportedly relished sending nearly 200 people to the firing squads.
Report Post »AsBrokeAsAmerica
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 11:41amGood for the students keep up the fight. The Government is going to triple the cost of education making education completely unafordable. And we will see the same here in America soon. Not only because of the States going broke but now this dam Dream Act. Millions of illegals are going to enroll in college which will then force Colleges and community colleges to raise tuition fees.
Report Post »CaptGregg
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 12:14pmAlthough those tuition rates were an incredible bargain by our standards, I think that 19-year-old student has a point. An incremental increase over time would likely have been accepted by most, but a 200% increase in one fell swoop is an invitation to an uproar, especially when we (and I gather they) are seeing a decline in the quality of education offered.
Report Post »republitarian
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 1:52pmA 200% raise is just a recipe for unpleasantness. They had to have known that this would happen.
Report Post »NEAF
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 3:58pmHave you noticed the every year the tuition is higher, because they know the government (stupid) keep paying for it. Federal government=stupidity. How come all this liberal universities are not reducing or cutting expenses. Most university are harvest ground for liberalism-progressive. Look who are those professors teaching: communist, marxist, socialist, etc, the earth scumbags.
Report Post »Nvrforget
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 11:39am“I’m here because the Liberal Democrats broke their promise,” said 19-year-old Kings College student Shivan David from London’s Trafalgar Square. “I don‘t think education should be free but I do think that tripling fees doesn’t make any sense. We are paying more for less.”
This makes sense though. Imagine you’re a student just scraping by, holding out on getting a job to get a good education first and your fees get tripled. I know I’d be pretty miffed.
Report Post »TerribleTroy
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 12:28pm“We are paying more for less.”
How does this make “sense.”? They aren’t being asked to pay more for LESS. They are being asked to pay more for the same. If they are upset with the fact that “their” politician lied to them…..well….welcome to the real world kiddies. Thats why one should vet their vote very carefully.
The thing is …they raise the cost of education at the same time eliminating all those govt jobs and what is the impact on the dole? The UK is screwed and they can thank the Socialists. All things considered ….sometimes I think there may be something to the whole 2012 TEOTWAWKI schtick…but only on days when I am in a negative mood.
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 1:41pmOK seriously, How much will they have to pay??? I’m not being snarky I really want to know. You keep saying the same thing about the tuition going up, but up to what??
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 2:52pmImagine no higher learning…its easy if you try. It is not the end of the world but they sure are forcing it to be.
Report Post »Rn mom
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 3:58pmI don’t have imagine being a student scraping by, I was. It took me 9 years to get a 4 year degree, but I did it- they can cry me a river. First, an education isn’t a free pass to prosperity. Second, nothing in this life is truly for free.
Report Post »Republic Under God
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 6:00pmUntameable,
I am no expert on tuition in UK so I am going to use this article as my source. Prior to the legislation, the fees were capped at $4,700/year (3k pounds). Post legislation, it is $14,700/yr (9k pounds). I don’t know if that is per class or just… the max they can charge you on an annual basis.
On another note, I think that the change is drastic. It is unfortunate they could not find another means to generate revenue and bolster education. No matter what way you slice it, that kind of hike is a kick in the pants. They are in a system that the other cap fit into… and the budgets everyone had was set accordingly.
It is a shame that education takes this hit. It is probably the one thing that can help a country is to empower the citizens with knowledge and skills.
Report Post »M31Sailor
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 11:39amWhen will the K turn into a C(California)?
Report Post »crossdraw
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 11:38amThat d**khead with his mouth open? My vision is a 308 seeking that big mouth out and giving him a new mouth out the back of his head.
Report Post »bulletsinthegun
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 1:23pmi agree
Report Post »Diamondback
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 3:00pmHere, here.
Report Post »Stronge
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:20pmNIcely in with the call for murder there.
Report Post »Conserving Ink
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 11:37amIf the new conservatives can‘t turn this country’s direction around, we’ll see this kind of violence here in the inner cities. If you live in a highly urban area you might want to look into some land elsewhere.
Report Post »___________________________________________________________________________
http://conserving-ink.blogspot.com/2010/12/30-day-and-half-full-glass.html
48
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 11:36amThey’re getting what they deserve. They have done nothing to help themselves. They wanted more government and now they are getting the end result of it.
Report Post »LAR15
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 2:19pm Report Post »moreteaplease
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 3:21pmJust like a stray cat-you feed them once they’ll keep coming back demanding more. This is what happens after years of fostering an entitlement mentality.
Report Post »JohnnyJT
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 11:34amThey want their Freebies and they want it Now.
Report Post »WVRob
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 2:53pmAnd the same can be said here. This is coming to a city in the USA very soon.
Report Post »youguysready_letsroll
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 11:30amGlad that I live in a rural area because this is probably coming to major cities in the US. Maybe we will have this when 99ers find out that they’re not included in the 13 month unemployment extension.
Report Post »thepatriotdave
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 11:33amSame here.
My advice… buy more ammo!
PatriotShops.com
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 11:36amCalifornia already had it. These people with the entitlement mentality will always act like this if you take the freebies away, even if it means saving the country from financial disaster. They don’t think any farther than what happens to THEM.
Report Post »SemperCivis4Ever
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 11:39amCOMMUNISTS, SOCIALISTS AND ANARCHISTS – THEY BUILD NOTHING, THEY DESTROY, THEY WANT TO KILL GOD AND LIBERTY, THEY ARE NOT FIT TO LIVE ON THIS EARTH GOD CREATED–(SALVADOR DALI)
Lefties always accuse people of what they are guilty of. Its from their talking points and has seeped into their brains. “Order = Disorder, Logic is a complication, The truth is always false”
All part of the “Dada Manifesto” – After the Carnage of WW1 in Europe, Communist-Socialist-Anarchist thugs didn’t get much juice for their politic until they merged and adopted with the Dada Ant-Art movement and got the talking points and strategy to attack civilization
This video, by artist Marc Rubin, explains how they have worked people for 100 years: http://www.marcrubin.com/dada2.ivnu
THE META-FACTS OF HISTORY SINCE 3000 BCE is the Progressive “framework”. See how it emerged as a consequence of natural disaster and caused the first wars of civilization.Listen: Israel National Radio interview of artist Marc Rubin at http://www.marcrubin.com/judean-eve.ivnu
Report Post »Konservative PUNK
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 11:40amIndeed. Austerity is what we need in the USA. When we vote to take away entitlements in order to save our nation, hand-out recipients will finally get off their couches to protest in the street..
Report Post »Konservative PUNK
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 11:42amHow smart do you have to be to understand that if everyone is taking hand-outs, they will eventally run out.
Report Post »Nvrforget
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 11:44amKate, what if the college tuitions of your kids got tripled? Wouldn’t you be angry? Now imagine EVERY college tripling its tuitions so they’d be unable to enroll somewhere else. This is a nation playing with its own future, a two-class education if you will. Only the wealthy get to have an education. If you‘re smart but poor you’re hosed.
SemperCivis4Ever
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 12:05pm“COMMUNISTS, SOCIALISTS AND ANARCHISTS – THEY BUILD NOTHING, THEY DESTROY, THEY WANT TO KILL GOD AND LIBERTY AND ART.,THEY ARE NOT FIT TO LIVE ON THIS EARTH GOD CREATED”–(SALVADOR DALI AS TOLD TO MARC RUBIN)
Lefties always accuse people of what they are guilty of. Its from their talking points and has seeped into their brains, and now it seems DNA. “Order = Disorder, Logic is a complication, The truth is always false”
All part of the “Dada Manifesto” – After the Carnage of WW1 in Europe, Communist-Socialist-Anarchist thugs didn’t get much juice for their politic until they merged and adopted with the Dada Ant-Art movement and got the talking points and strategy to attack civilization
This video, by artist Marc Rubin, explains how they have worked people for 100 years: http://www.marcrubin.com/dada2.ivnu
THE META-FACTS OF HISTORY SINCE 3000 BCE is the Progressive “framework”. See how it emerged as a consequence of natural disaster and caused the first wars of civilization.Listen: Israel National Radio interview of artist Marc Rubin at http://www.marcrubin.com/judean-eve.ivnu
untameable-kate
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 12:27pmNVR, do you know what they pay in UK compared to USA? I was under the impression that the gov paid the bulk of it, whereas I paid for my own schooling. This is why entitlement mentalities are bad. UK can’t afford to keep giving away stuff.
Report Post »BeckIsNuts
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 12:57pmI don’t believe that my fellow Americans are like these european lefties. It’s not going to happen here.
Report Post »BeckIsNuts
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 1:00pmSemperCivis4Ever, Dali was gay. You better hope that Beck doesn’t read your post. That’s an interesting bit of info though. Thanks for posting it.
Report Post »mimitweetin
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 2:06pmYep, stock up on Ammo! Lock N Load, there will be NO TRESSPASSERS ON MY PROPERTY!
Report Post »Pocono Countryboy
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 2:08pmAmmo-check
Venison in the freezer-check
Firewood stocked-check
Cabin in the woods-check
We’re good ;)
Report Post »dablooz
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 3:06pmAmen on rural/small town living. That white horse in the pics above is a good looking animal.
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 3:26pm…again I ask, “And the Right are the violent ones?”
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 3:44pmSure they aren’t included?? Have you read the bill? it’s not those people who will be on the street it will be the welfare mentality that will be.. the ones the DEMOCRATS have made dependent on them.. Your right about the big cities..glad I moved out.. last time they charged they were burning in Chicago.. have room for relatives to stay too.. we will be crowded but we will survive..
Report Post »CatB
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 3:46pmYes my quiet little hamlet is not likely to be hit .. but you never know .. going tomorrow for more defensive equipment. :-)
Report Post »Outland9
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 3:49pm1.) Why is the Gov’t in the education business to begin with? 2.) This is what happens when the Gov’t controls every aspect of your life. 3.) This is what happens when citizens become dependant on the Gov’t instead of themselves.
Report Post »jds7171
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 5:28pmThey only have to pay $14,000 dollars a year. That is nothing. What the heck are they whining about. They should be amazed that its not more expensive.
Report Post »Sgt.Crust
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 6:37pmBS NVRFORGET, you are part of the problem, I worked my way through University, so stuff it.
Report Post »godlovinmom
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 7:59pmI hope it doesn’t resort to this here…I would like to think we are not like the europeans…unfortunately there are some like that in America…I would suggest to anyone that knows anyone…. that is contemplating something like this…. that they talk to them…nothing is worth this violence…except maybe your life….but college tuition…seriously…
Report Post »youguysready_letsroll
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 10:22pm@independentvoteril: I don’t know for sure but was going off of stories like this:
Report Post »http://www.businessinsider.com/does-the-unemployment-insurance-extension-help-the-99ers-2010-12