FYEG Co-spokespersons Delfina Rossi and Sebastian Power support the ongoing actions of the Young Greens of England and Wales fighting against possibly the harshest austerity measures in Europe. 40% of the education budget is being slashed whilst higher education tuition fees are being trebled to £9,000 annually. The postal system is being privatised whilst the National Health Service and schools are being partly privatised. Disability allowance and housing benefits are being reduced forcing an estimated 200,000 people from their homes – tantamount to socially cleansing inner city areas. Women, those with disabilities, ethnic minorities and children will suffer the most from these unnecessary ideological policies.
Sam Coates, co-chair was at Millbank (Conservative headquarters) yesterday, he said:
“The anger at yesterday’s protests was remarkable, especially towards the Lib Dems who have left so many students feeling betrayed and unsure where to turn next. Students have begun the fight against the Coalition’s dangerous and damaging policies. This is what you get when you condemn a whole generation to a lifetime of debt, unaffordable housing and a lack of decent jobs.
Obviously we abhor violence against people, but the events at Millbank were a totally understandable response to pent up anger of young people who feel they are being jilted at every turn. Many of the protesters at Millbank were younger college and sixth form students worried they will be priced out of university by a trebling of fees. Hundreds of people went inside the building and thousands more were cheering from the courtyard. This was a spontaneous action uniting thousands of ordinary students.“
He concluded by calling for an escalation of student protests:
“What happened yesterday generated momentum in the student movement that must be harnessed if these cuts are to be defeated and the movement escalated. We fully support direct action, occupations and other activities that utilise sensible tactics to show the Government we will not accept higher fees, and we will not accept cuts to higher education funding.
The Green Party opposes cuts to public services and is calling for investment in hundreds of thousands of green jobs to kick start a low carbon economy. With money markets desperate to buy government bonds, there is absolutely no reason to panic about Government debt in the short term. In 1945 public debt was 5 times greater than today and our grandparents managed to build the welfare state. The Tories have always tried to argue that we cannot afford decent education, health and housing, and they’ve been proved wrong every time.“
For more info contact Sam Coates sam.coates@walesgreenparty.org.uk or +44 (0)7590008249
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