Photo: Seb Wheeler

Students across the four boroughs are preparing a week of action in the build up to Thursday’s crucial parliamentary vote on university fee increases.

This evening students from Goldsmiths have occupied the library on the campus off New Cross Road. They hope more will join them throughout the night and tomorrow morning. A group of Goldsmiths students are also planning to protest outside the office of Liberal Democrat deputy leader Simon Hughes in his Bermondsey constituency, this Wednesday at 1pm.

Students and residents are outraged that Simon Hughes has refused to say whether he will vote in line with his pre-election pledge to students.

In the run-up to the election Mr Hughes declared: “I pledge to vote against any increase in fees in the next parliament.”

Queen Mary University’s ‘Stop the Cuts’ group will be organising local events on campus on Wednesday and are urging students and Tower Hamlets residents to meet from 11am outside the students union.

Thursday, dubbed “Day X” by organisers, will see another mass protest as people gather outside the Houses of Parliament at 1pm.

Groups from Goldsmiths and Queen Mary will join the many thousands of students that are expected to lobby parliament on Thursday, and will also attend a candlelit vigil in the evening.

They will be leaving from their respective campuses on Thursday morning to meet at the ULU on Malet Street at 12pm.

A spokesman for The National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts said:

“We urge all those who oppose what the government is doing, including opposition MPs and student and education representatives to join us in a fight aimed not only at stopping a tuition fee rise, but for free education for all.”

ELL will be updating live coverage of the student action all week.

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