I Predict a Riot
Anon, East Leeds Magazine 2010

I finished sixth form last year. My plan was to go to University, but the same week my results came through my father was made redundant. He'd only worked at the place for a year, and before that he had his own building business. His business went bankrupt on account of being paid a small percentage of what he was owed when a bigger company he sub-contracted for went into administration. The time wasn't right to go to Uni, so I held off for a year. That's proved to be a mistake I will probably regret for the rest of my life.

I've never been interested in politics but when Nick Clegg promised he would not raise tuition fees, he got my vote. Recently the ConDem government announced a massive hike in tuition fees. It could cost upwards of £9,000 a year. It's not inconcievable a student will leave Uni with £30,000 worth of debt once living costs and student loans are taken into account. Is this the way to treat our future doctors,  nurses, teachers etc?

Gaining a degree is no guarantee of financial security. A teacher’s salary is £22,000 a year, a nurse slightly less. So even at four times that salary it would still be impossible to buy a house or even a small apartment. It seems further education and better job opportunities have become the sole property of the wealthy.

When I heard about the march in London on 10th November, me and a few friends felt strong enough to get off our back sides and join a peaceful march for the first time. We enjoyed it. Most of the march was a carnival atmosphere.

As the march snaked towards Parliament Square we heard shouting just behind us, then a large group broke through the stewards, everybody pushed to see what was happening. To be honest I couldn't see much. It was chaos. Then, I smelt smoke and the crowd seemed to part a bit. Through the smoke I could see a different crowd than on the march. Mostly the students had Uni sweatshirts and bright colours; this crowd had scarves covering their faces and were dressed  in black.

We were watching from a distance but the crowd in front of us seemed to becoming more and more agitated. They went from peaceful protesters to behaving in a way I'm sure even they are surprised about. From what I could see, the black-clad mob were inside the Conservative HQ on Millbank. But what fascinated me was the previously peaceful crowd in front of me, cheering every fire and broken window. It might have been a minority causing the damage but it was a large section of the crowd encouraging them. It was dramatic, scary and exciting in equal measures.  When the riot police arrived it was time for us to leave. As we moved away from the area we could see protesters on the roof. I don't advocate violence but I can understand why it happened.

At 19 years old I feel bitter and angry and maybe if I'd been closer to the action I might have become part of the group consciousness or mob mentality, whatever you choose to call it.

It's not right to smash windows and set fire to buildings. But if that's all the media choose to cover then they've missed the point. My generation could start seeing themselves as a lost generation, become radicalised and end up on the extremes of politics.

I gave Nick Clegg my first vote, but he's not the alternative he led us to believe he was. His words about Uni fees are hollow, why should I believe another word he says? I've just watched my mother lose her job at the council. If Cameron and Clegg get their way, if my parents can't find new jobs they might end up sweeping the streets - humiliated and punished for not having a job.

I'll join the next protest and the one after, and if something happens similar to the student march and I'm close to it, I might just get drawn into the mob mentality. I feel angry, frustrated and let down. Rather than punish decent people can't the bonuses, assets and pensions of the financial wizards who caused this mess be stripped and given to the public purse?

Christmas won't be much fun in our house this year. We'll struggle to heat it for a start. Still, we're all in it together, or so Mr.Cameron tells us. I hope he has a good time in Thailand this Christmas. And Happy Christmas Mr. Clegg, enjoy your 15 minutes of fame because you won’t get mine and many others’ vote again.

Adam is 19 years old and from Crossgates. He wishes to remain anonymous for the purposes of this article. Any views expressed are not necessarily the views of East Leeds Magazine.

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