Today's scenes of huge student protests in London against the British government's proposal to triple university tuition fees seem like a world away from here in Central America. All day, I have been watching angry scenes over there as the debate took place in the House of Commons. By early evening, as news reached the protestors that the government won the vote and the legislation will therefore go through, tensions on the streets mounted.
Unfortunately, as is so often the case with demonstrations, a minority took advantage of the situation to behave violently and destructively which has the effect of diluting the credibility of the arguments of the mainstream protestors. But I am pleased to see students bothering to go out on a freezing cold day and make their feeling known. It is important for people to express their views and British students are at least fortunate to live in a country where they are allowed to do so. Alas, they are less fortunate when it comes to taking advantage of a university education. Inevitably, there will be those from poorer families who will be deprived of further education as a consequence of this austerity measure.
While I am not against some charge being levied for university education, the sum of 16,000 pounds will be prohibitive to many. I do not beleive that a civilised socieity should expect young people to have to fork out so much for going to university. The government is taking a regressive step for which I am sure they pay a heavy price as its popularity surely takes a nose dive. It is extraordinary that the Liberal-Democratic party, who are in coalition with the Conservatives, have supported this draconian measure. They will definately be punished by voters at the next election. The party has long been marginal in British politics and I wouldn't be surprises if, after this brief foray of power, the Liberals will be driven to the edge of extintion. And your grandfather says: "Good riddance!"
Amazingly, Prince Charles and the Dutchess of Cornwall got inadvertently caught up in the protests as their Rolls Royce was pelted with paint bombs and the back window smashed while on their way to the premier of a show at the London Paladium. "Off with their heads" were the cries being chanted by some protestors. Well, I have no doubt that there will be some senior police officers whose heads will roll for allowing the Royal couple into the eye of this storm.
Meanwhile, here in Cancun the climate summit progresses. Or does it. With less than 24 hours to go and negotiations as in flux as ever, who know whether there is going to be some kind of positive outcome. This grandfather's fingers remain firmly crossed.
Grandpa Jonathan
Cancun, Mexico
