Queen Mary, East London — cost of living
by Mihaela Ivanova, Queen Mary Socialist Students
Thousands of students have begun university with tuition fees rising for the first time in over a decade, increased by a Labour government. While a financial crisis is sweeping universities, Keir Starmer rolled out the red carpet for bigot-in-chief Donald Trump.
Young people need a political voice more than ever. Socialist Students spoke to hundreds of students at Queen Mary about what role young people can play in fighting back the attacks on education, climate change, housing, and the war on Gaza.
Students were particularly concerned with the cost of living. Prices have gone above and beyond the maintenance loans that students get. Over 50% of students also work other jobs to survive.
Many students and staff agreed with our demands for free, fully funded education, as well as the need for students to play a role in forming a new mass workers’ party.
Last year, Queen Mary Socialist Students fought and won two campaigns – gender neutral changing rooms at the university gym, and a housing campaign which fought back the abuse tactics of a private landlord. We showed that students have the power to have our demands heard, and fight against the marketisation of our education.
We had 83 sign-ups at freshers, and have already held two successful meetings – discussing what we stand for, and what campaigns we should focus on.
If you want to fight for a future that provides for the needs of all, rather than for the profits of a tiny few, you should join Socialist Students. We fight for every issue facing students – for free and democratic control of our education, and the end of oppression and exploitation for all on campus, and beyond.
- Read more about Socialist Students in Fresher’s Week
- Youth get organised: Join Socialist Students.