THE Young Socialists March for Jobs and Free State Education from Manchester to London is campaigning in Stoke today, before moving on to Stafford.
Speaking to the marchers yesterday morning in Mansfield, retired NUM member John Wilson said: ‘There should have been a general strike during the miners’ strike of ’84-85 and there should be one now.’
He added: ‘It hasn’t taken long, has it, for the Tories to show what they’re up to.
‘They’re not interested in the workers at all.
‘As per usual, all they’re interested in is the well-to-do.
‘But the thing is, now, the longer it goes on, the worse it’s going to get.
‘That means we’ve got to do something quick, the quicker the better.
‘Your march is spot on.’
Jan Boning, a 17-year-old student from Bremen in northern Germany, said: ‘I’m an exchange student staying with a family in Mansfield for 10 months.
‘I agree with the policies of your march. Education should be free.
‘When you grow up in a family that hasn’t got a lot of money, you appreciate it.
‘And jobs for youth is really important too.
‘I wanted to become an exchange student in order to broaden my views.
‘My family is paying very high fees for me to attend college in England.
‘I’m studying biology, geography, maths and finance.
‘I’ve bought my ticket for your rally on the 21st and I look forward to coming to see you in London.’
Sam Staples, an 18-year-old student, said: ‘People are trying to better themselves, to develop their skills and knowledge and go to university.
‘I’m hoping to go to university next year to study design and fashion, hopefully in Nottingham.
‘But it’s going to cost myself and my friends a lot of money to go to university – and with no guarantee of a job at the end of it, especially with the recession now.’
Two youth from Chesterfield, Lara and Josh, met the marchers last Friday night, joined the march to Mansfield on Saturday morning, stayed overnight and campaigned with the marchers yesterday.
Lara said: ‘It’s been brilliant, meeting and being with the YS march.
‘We’ve got membership cards and everything now.
‘We’re coming to meet the march in Coventry next weekend and in London for the end of the march, the weekend after next.
‘We’ll be thinking about you all the way.’
Josh said: ‘It’s been fun. I’ve enjoyed it.
‘We played basketball last night and had a great time.
‘We both believe in what the YS is fighting for.’
