The Winter of Discontent is here and now

This week, the Coalition government will face its first major test as it attempts to rush its proposals for the future of Higher Education funding in England – the tripling tuition fees from their current level – through the House of Commons. Huge pressure is coming to bear on Liberal Democrat MPs – nearly all of whom pledged before the election to vote against any increase in fees, and to work to implement a ‘fairer’ alternative. Internal divisions within the party are rife, with a number of high profile figures saying that they intend to vote against their own party.

However… after some superficial dithering last week, it seems that Vince Cable – who is, after all, the architect of the tuition fees proposals – will now vote for it. As will, we can assume, the rest of the Lib Dems in the Cabinet, with Nick Clegg revealing at the weekend that he think it’s actually “quite socially progressive” (oh, and all these protests are scaring poor kids away from uni). Far too much is at stake for the party for them not to ensure it’s pushed through Parliament – the prospect of eternal electoral oblivion is surely enough for even the most “principled” of Lib Dem MPs to convince themselves that tuition fees are somehow “fair” (just ask Clegg), and if that doesn’t, then the next three days of backroom deals and intrigue surely will. And let’s face it: even if the vote is narrowly defeated, we know that a watered-down, revised – but equally shit – bill will be passed within months.

But this does not take away anything from the significance of what the bill being defeated would mean. It would be the first crack in the coalition, but more importantly, would be a huge confidence boost to both students and workers across the country. It would vindicate the hundreds of thousands who’ve taken to the streets to protest the fees rise, and set us up for the new year in prime position for taking on the coalition. Above all, though, it has the potential to shape the future of the anti-austerity movement, as the opposition to the first major measure of the government to be put to parliament. Which is why this week’s demonstrations are of vital importance.

Across the country, students this week will occupy, protest and take mass direct action against fees and education cuts. It will be the culmination of just one month of protest that has witnessed the beginnings of a new mass movement. The momentum can’t be allowed to fizzle out no matter which way Thursday’s vote goes, but must continue to strive for free education, and to make links with the broader movement against the cuts. Ultimately, it will be sustained industrial action – economic power that students simply don’t have – that has the potential to bring down the government. At the moment it can seem like the unions are playing catch-up with the student movement – with hurried motions here and there offering support and praise for the lead its taken – but over the past couple of days mechanisms have begun to put in place for a one day public sector general strike in Scotland in the new year.

In Scotland we are facing a much longer battle to save free education. This month’s green paper on the of Higher Education funding – the date of its publication has still to be announced – will present options expected to include a “Graduate Tax” of some description. A review on EMA is also due this month, with fears it may be scrapped entirely in line with England. What happens in Westminster this week though will have a severe impact on Scotland. This is why on Thursday, thousands of us will take to the streets, to offer solidarity to students in England, and to send a message to both Holyrood and Westminster that we won’t stand for the introduction of fees here.

This time last year, discontent, anger and frustration at ‘the system’ could only formulate itself in a confused, social-network driven campaign to get anything-but-X-factor to the top of the charts. This year, disaffection among students and young people has a bigger target – the government, and rather than buying a single as a protest, young people are taking to the streets in their thousands. It’s a sign of how much things have shifted, and long may it continue.

DETAILS OF SCOTTISH DEMONSTRATIONS ON 8TH & 9TH DECEMBER:

Wednesday 8 Dec: Glasgow Uni demo – assemble 12 noon, Main Gate facebook
Strathclyde Uni – 12 noon, McCance Building facebook

Edinburgh demo – assemble 11.30am, Bristo Sq, Edinburgh Uni for march on Parliament facebook

Thursday 9 Dec: Glasgow: school, college & uni strikes – gathering at Buchanan St. 12 noon for a student-led rally & direct action against tax dodgers. See facebook & Glasgow Against Education Cuts blog

Edinburgh: national rally at the Scottish Parliament (called by NUS) – 4.30pm facebook

SSY.org.uk will be aiming to bring you comprehensive coverage of all this week’s protests as they happen – stay tuned!