[Sparkle]

Originally Posted by Saaf_laandon_mo

I have often wondered why protestors in the UK have shown so miuch restraint whilst those in charge continuously do things against the views a large perecentage of the public.

I wonder that all the time. I think we as a nation have gotten into the habit of just accepting the status quo. We love to moan, but when it gets serious most people would rather just change the subject than get involved. Compared to the French or the Greeks, British public are quite docile - especially considering that we're getting ripped off at every avenue. However, I think people are starting to wake up. With each passing year, I've noticed a shift in general opinion of the government - and it isn't for the better. Politicians fiddling their expenses, Bank bailouts, credit crunch, inflated property prices - people have had enough.

I don't agree with the approach the goverment has taken regarding university fees and I do think that if the marches hadn't been as violent as they are, we would not have heard much about student fees (the finer detail) as much as we've heard now.

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To be honest though I don't think any number of violent problems will stop tuition fees rising. Some might then ask whats the point of a violent prtest, but in my opinion that does show how angry people actually are.

I also do not agree with the media and govt saying that a lot of these marches have been hijacked by non students. I think that a lot of the violent protestors are genuine students.

I agree, but the students have got a serious problem. As already mentioned, the PR hasn't been good. There are a lot of people out there who dislike students for one reason or another. And they've just come right out of the woodwork recently. You've heard it all before - students only in class for 3 lectures a week, don't get out of bed until 3 pm, spend all their money on booze, studying useless mickey mouse degrees (underwater basketweaving for instance), etc. Also, many people just don't like the fact that a youngster can come in with their piece of paper degree and earn more than them, or also happens to be their boss. The reasons are many and varied.

I think the students need to *somehow* get the working class on their side, and I think that fundamentally, we are on the same side. We are all fed up with politicians lying or doing whatever it takes to trick the public into voting for them. Once in power they do as they please, without fear of being held to account from the public. We are getting the raw end of the stick. Politians do not represent us.

If there were a public referendum tomorrow on what needs to change, then:

1. We'd be out of the EU and the eastern europeans would be sent home.
2. Most of the MP's would be sacked
3. Speed cameras would only be placed outside schools
4. Harriet Harman would be crucified
5. MP's caught fiddling their expensese would be held criminally liable
6. Prisons wouldn't be holiday camps. Instead they'd find an island in the northern Hebrides, build a work camp there and stick all the prisoners in it.
7. Force the unemployed to get work.
8. End the elf'n safety culture that is destroying (exporting) our industry by making it less competitive.
9. The "Hook Cleric" would be loaded onto a C-130 Hercules and promptly dumped, via the rear loading door from an altitude of 15,000 ft, into the English channel.
10. Immigration more tightly controlled.

To name just a few.

In my view, the notion that this country is a democracy is the greatest lie the government ever fooled us into believing.
Come election time, it seems the only choice we get is either :dumb, or dumber. Is there really much difference between the parties?
When labour won the election back in 1997, it was quite a shock when they introduced tuition fees. Especially how they promised to invest so much more in education.
The government rules this country in any way it pleases, and now more and more people are seeing it for what it is.

There is a video of Nick Clegg on youtube signing a pledge to oppose any rise in tuition fees. Not only did he go against his promise, but he became the governments chief propaganda minister for the new fees. If that can happen without fear of retribution from the people, then anything can.
How can we have a functioning democracy when noone believes a word politicians say?
People only voted for the lib dems because of their promises, so when they reneged on their promises they become a non-entity.
What Nick Clegg should have done was put principle before career. He should have fought the tuition fee rise tooth and nail, and even (if need be) offer his resignation over the issue.

---------- Post added at 14:04 ---------- Previous post was at 13:59 ----------

Originally Posted by Sirius

Sorry but the holigans have no hope of changing what has been passed by parliament for at least the next couple of years, No amount of fighting and smashing of public property by hooligan students will change it because the Government will dig in harder. Soon if the holigans keep at it you will see plastic bullets, tear gas and water cannon used instead of kettling.

I agree. Also, we might almost be at the stage of petrol bombs being used. One was indeed thrown by one of the 9th Dec protesters (I doubt it was a student though, young teenager). Its on youtube. Other protesters tried to perform a citizens arrest, but an asian gang (presumably he was a part of) rescued the kid.