Matt Myers 
Student Revolt 
Voices of the Austerity Generation

*Selected as one of open Democracy’s Best Political Books of 2017*



Whatever happened to the student revolt? In 2010 young people across Britain took to the streets to defy a wave of government attacks on education, increasing tuition fees, and cuts to grants for college students. Months of occupations, kettling and outbreaks of violence ensued, but to what effect? Today, students face new attacks on higher education from the current Conservative government.



Student Revolt tells the story of the year that introduced a generation to the power of mass movement, through the voices of the people involved. Activists’, students’, university-occupiers’, young workers’ and politicians’ testimonies are woven together to create a narrative which starkly captures both the deep divisions as well as the intense energy that sprung from its actors.



The ‘Millbank Generation’ has since moved on – some fell into political inactivity – but many went on to explore different forms of politics, where they continue to fight. This book will provide a poignant reminder of the revolt for today’s activists, as well as an opportunity to reflect on its many lessons.



Published in partnership with the Left Book Club

Table of Content

Series Preface

Acknowledgements

List of Abbreviations

Introduction by Paul Mason

1. Revolt

2. Millbank

3. Expectations

4. Street Fighting Youth

5. Occupy, Agitate, Organise

6. Why Did the Students Lose?

Conclusion

List of Contributors

Notes

Bibliography

Index

About the author

Paul Mason is a writer and broadcaster on economics and social justice. He is the author of Post Capitalism (Penguin, 2015) and a contributor to Syriza (Pluto, 2015) and Student Revolt (Pluto, 2017).