Cumbria uni – linking war, climate, and cost of living
Mollie Nixon, Cumbria Socialist Students
Every year, students arrive at Cumbria, expecting an escape to nature, only to find a university much like any other – prioritising profit over academic integrity. Socialist Party and Socialist Students members from Carlisle and the rest of the north west hosted street stalls outside freshers’ fair.
Climate change came up frequently. Many students pick Cumbria for its proximity to impressive natural landscapes. Students fear this environment being lost.
Many jumped at the chance to sign up to start an official Socialist Students society on campus, after finding out about the ‘Defence Universities Alliance’, which Cumbria uni is part of. The Ministry of Defence is using university funding to covertly funnel students into pro-military research and job roles.
This led many students that we spoke to expressing interest in the youth strikes on 20 November. Some even took posters to put up in communal kitchens.
In conversation, students made the connection between climate and other struggles. Cumbria uni is promoting the military, whilst simultaneously raking in student fees for being located in a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Students raised how much they are paying for their ‘Circuit Go’ laundry – some over £6 per wash at student accommodation. This gave us a great opportunity to raise Socialist Students’ previous dealings with Circuit Go, and the possibility for a local campaign.
40 people signed up to Socialist Students – a testament to students’ desire for action. We have since heard that the university bosses weren’t happy about us being there!
It’s no wonder. The uni is currently threatening staff with ‘fire and rehire’, if they don’t downgrade their pension scheme.
The last thing the uni wants is an organised Socialist Students presence on campus, who would fully back a staff strike!
Southampton uni – capitalist system links the crises
James Gretton, Southampton Socialist Students
We held a public tally, asking participants which issue on the agenda for the 20 November international youth strike resonated most for them. The climate crisis – an existential threat – was the most voted-on issue. Others recognised that all the issues are interconnected, and exacerbated by capitalism.
The runner-up issue was war and militarisation. Many students were aware about Germany’s increased military spending and possible reintroduction of conscription. The new UK Labour chancellor in Andy Burnham’s government, John Healey, has hinted at similar public spending cuts to pay for the military in next month’s Budget.
In the coming weeks, Southampton Socialist Students workshop meetings will cover the alleged ‘Burnham bounce’; an introduction to socialism; real alternatives to Labour and the capitalist system it presides over; and issues for the 20 November walkout.
We’re working with the Young Greens, and other local organisations, including Southampton Uni Green Society, to build for the biggest possible student strike. Socialist Students is prepared to engage with both newcomers and returning students, putting forward the need for socialist change.
Exeter uni students reject future of debt and climate destruction
Myles Hatcher, Devon Socialist Students
Students saw the International Youth Strike as compelling, and something they wanted to get involved with. Discussions around the housing crisis, spiralling debt, and endless wars were echoed by many students. A large number identified themselves as socialists or on the left.
On the second day, university security eventually asked us for our credentials, and moved us on from campus. We moved to the exit away from the university grounds, and continued our leafleting and discussions unabated.
We cleared through all of our material. Over 30 students signed up to the International Youth Strike.
Exeter uni currently lacks a Socialist Students society. But there is clearly a keen interest in getting involved in campaign activity and building something. We hope this will develop into a student society with regular meetings, political discussion, and action on campus.
Even the Labour society showed an interest, letting slip that their numbers are dwindling. The Labour Party is unable to offer young people anything to fight for.
Students are looking forward, and beginning to see what they are going to inherit. Not the prosperous future they were promised, but climate destruction, debt, and a continuing cost-of-living crisis. More young people see through capitalist lies.
York College students support £15-an-hour minimum wage
Dan Bassey, York Socialist Students
We had a large volume of students come by our campaign stall.
At first, students were hesitant. But after handing out a few leaflets, an increasing number came over to talk, eager to hear what we had to say.
Conversations covered the rise of Reform and the far right, workers’ rights, and the climate crisis. The campaign to increase the minimum wage to £15 an hour particularly resonated. This would double what college students aged 16-18 currently earn, as a minimum.
Young people are becoming increasingly disillusioned with mainstream politics, and are searching for something that can actually improve their lives. We help bring socialist ideas to them. Seven new people signed up to our walkout on 20 November.
Farnham – University for the Creative Arts – students take action
Huw James, Aldershot and North Hants Socialist Students
The university’s facilities are being run into the ground, despite increased tuition fees. Students rightly wonder where their fees are actually going. One student even organised a sit-in protest against proposed cuts to library services.
Students are worried about being saddled with debt when they graduate, then struggling to find employment in an increasingly harsh jobs market. They support the Socialist Students and Socialist Party policies of free education, nationalisation, and a £15-an-hour minimum wage.
Young people want better than what is being offered to them by capitalism. And frankly, who can blame them? 12 new students signed up to get involved with Socialist Students, and find out more.
Leicester WQE college – chats and debates
Ikra Rehman, Leicester Socialist Students
This is the first time in recent memory that we have organised campaign stalls at WQE sixth-form college in Leicester. Now, regularly, students come up to chat or debate, or we see them discussing the ‘no to war’ leaflets we’re handing out.
More young people are becoming interested in politics, consider themselves socialist, and have a desire to want to make difference and be part of something.
Notre Dame college, Leeds – crowds at socialist stand
Iain Dalton, Leeds Socialist Students
Calling out ‘No to Farage, no to Trump, join the Socialist opposition’, we had Notre Dame sixth-form college students taking leaflets and crowding round our stall near the college.
15 students left the details to join Socialist Students, including some from the nearby university walking past. We spoke to an organiser with the newly formed Green society at Leeds Arts Uni about how we could work together, to build for the 20 November international youth strike.
Nottingham Trent uni – money for war, nothing for youth
Seamus Smyth, East Midlands Socialist Students
There was anger about the constant wars around the world, particularly the British government’s role in supporting and financing them. This opened up wider discussions about why there always seems to be money for war, while young people face rising costs, insecure futures, and pressure around education and the cost of living.
There was willingness to discuss the wider political situation, and what a socialist alternative could look like. We distributed 250 leaflets in just two hours.
Students: What you can do
1 Build for the N20 international youth walkout!
On 20 November 2026, Socialist Students will be joining over 20 other youth organisations across Europe, walking out of classes to say: ‘Fight for our futures, not their wars!’
Can you collect names of fellow students who can build for the biggest possible walkout where you are?
2 Build Socialist Students at your campus, college or school
Socialist Students is a democratic nationwide socialist organisation which has groups active in over 50 schools, colleges and universities. In September 2025 it organised youth walkouts against the state visit of Donald Trump. Groups discuss socialist ideas, and put them into practice, fighting for decent services, against oppression and for socialist change.
Sign up to help build a group where you are.
3 Buy your Socialism 2026 ticket
On 14-15 November, days ahead of the N20 international youth walkout, over 1,000 socialist activists will come together in London for a weekend of discussion and electric Saturday night rally.
What role for direct action in the struggle for socialism? Are the Greens the type of party we need to transform the world? Does AI mean the end of the working class? They are some of the 30 discussion workshops taking place.
Freshers and school students tickets from £5.
