the fightback In a lively demonstration of around 20,000, students last November showed their anger at the Labour government's plans to hike up debt on students with the so-called top up fees'. The turnout was one of the biggest by students for a number of years. The demonstration, called by the National Union of Students (NUS) shows there is still mass opposition to tuition fees and the potential to mobilise students against New Labour's education betrayals.
In the past the NUS has been reluctant to organise effectively against New Labour and against tuition fees. We are now seeing a change, which has been brought about by pressure from students themselves
The anti-fees protest also has a wider significance for political development among students; on the demonstration the feeling against the war on Iraq was evident, with nearly half the placards and banners opposing Bush & Blair's war.
Alongside the firefighters and other pub• lic sector workers the issue of students taking action to defend themselves against Labour's neo-liberal polices is beginning to gain momentum.
The anti-war campaign is bringing these issues into focus. We are told that there is no money for education and other public services - but there are billions available to the student movement to build the broadest possible opposition. Welsh students on the November NUS demonstration translate the message into fighting talk Harry Sloan
Gratiou Nid Fbedd proposal with tough new calls on universi-