According to research conducted by the Sutton Trust, an educational charity based in the UK, almost a third of University graduate interns are being forced to work without pay, as a means of ‘getting their foot in the door’ of their respective careers. Recent figures, released by the Sutton Trust, indicate that of the 70,000 interns in the UK, as many as 15,000 of them do not receive a salary! The Read more…
This week sees the return of the NUS’ ‘Blackout’ initiative, encouraging students across different universities to take part in an attempt to reduce energy wastage. The event consists of students assembling on campuses to switch off any lighting and equipment left on over the weekend. While the scheme is no doubt well intentioned, it should be stressed that the impact made by ordinary individuals in attempting to combat the effects of climate Read more…
For a while now I’ve held a lot of reservations about the Poppy Appeal and have been dissatisfied with Remembrance Day. The fact that something is ostensibly a good cause doesn’t exempt it from responsibilities of a political and historical nature. So, Comic Relief can seriously be accused of racism and pandering to nationalism – and similarly the Poppy Appeal has completely capitulated to militarism. That we all want to contribute to Read more…
You can read here the resolution put together by Marxist students in Solidarity with the Mexican Students in Struggle, in the Instituto Politécnico Nacional and in Ayotzinapa. To be put forward to Student Unions of respective Universities by Marxist Societies and others in Solidarity with the Mexican Students. The Students’ Union Notes: Mexico is in the middle of a humanitarian crisis; since 2006, at least 22,000 people have disappeared [1] and in roughly 40% of these Read more…
Marxist student Ed Taylor has been elected as NUS delegate from Sheffield Hallam university. Ed’s manifesto, published below, demands socialist policies for the student movement. We can be confident that the ideas of Marxism will be fought for at the NUS conference this year. ——————————————————— Vote the real Red Ed for a socialist union! WHAT EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS I BRING TO THE ROLE I am a politically active student, being a member of the Read more…
Today (6 November 2014) is the beginning of an indefinite marking boycott by UCU members in a dispute over pensions. This action will be taking place in 69 universities around Britain. Marxist students support this boycott because the changes will mean a cut in the annual pension income of some staff of 27%. Education is a vital part of society and those who provide it should be paid fairly for their Read more…
Education is the cornerstone of economic and social development. This is why Marxists argue in favour of free, decent education for everyone – so that individuals and society as a whole can maximise the potential for improving our lives through innovation, efficiency and imagination. Education under capitalism In a period of capitalist upswing, like that of the post-war boom, capitalism can afford to grant reforms such as free education. In fact during Read more…
The undersigned organisations join in the call by students from the Rural Normal of Ayotzinapa and the National People’s Assembly for a day of action on October 22 and we extend internationally. We appeal for the organisation of protest actions at Mexican embassies and consulates around the world that day. – Taken alive, we want them alive! – Live appearance of the 43 students kidnapped by the state – Trial and Read more…
With banners, fists and voices raised high, the Marxist Student Federation rallied the largest number of student Marxists yet to join our voices with those of increasingly disgruntled workers at the national TUC demonstration ‘Britain Needs a Pay Rise’ this weekend. With students present from Leeds to Sussex, from Sheffield to Southampton as well as a strong presence from London and elsewhere, there was a sea of new revolutionary faces that Read more…
Original article: http://www.marxist.com/2014-10-02-11-59-33.htm The march on 30th September was an overwhelming show of force by the students at IPN (National Polytechnic Institute), we saw a public display of the potential for a fighting movement with wide participation. We, proud, polytechnic students, carried our credentials to make it clear that this struggle is really being fuelled by the public itself. All of the IPN schools in the metropolitan province are on strike including some Read more…
At the NHS picket line on Monday morning (13/10/14) the UCLU Marxists went down to join the workers on strike. In our meeting the previous week we raised over £20 in donations which we used to buy hot drinks and snacks for the striking pickets to show our solidarity, as well as leafleting widely for the strike on campus. On the picket line we interviewed Lucy Tanham, Unite member and one Read more…
The statement below, in conjunction with the #TodosSomosAyotzinapa statement, is being discussed at Marxist societies up and down the country as well as what we can do to build solidarity with the IPN movement in Mexico. ———————————————————- The Marxist Student Federation, representing students at more than 20 universities in Britain, expresses its solidarity with the struggle of the Instituto Politecnico Nacional students in Mexico. The IPN students have been on strike for Read more…