I was pretty apprehensive about The Road to the National Demonstration. The last thing I, or Scottish Associations, wanted to attend was a bun fight going over the same old ground: whether the focus would be on how to fund education or simply opposing cuts; whether it is feasible to have it on a Wednesday rather than a Saturday; do we have our own demo or in partnership with UCU?
 
Thankfully, after attending The Road to the National Demo, it would appear unions are far more interested in getting as many students on the road with us, rather than a select few constantly re-paving it.
 
There were a load of insightful points made throughout the day. Mark (NEC) was spot on that we shouldn't loose sight of the demo being a tool, just one tool, in what will have to be a consistent and long-lasting campaign. Getting students to London is not the goal - seeding a vested interest in our campaigning for years to come is. For us in Scotland that could not be more true, with the demo representing a huge opportunity to get hundreds of Scottish students angry about education funding and taking them with us as we campaign in next year’s Scottish Parliamentary elections.
 
Liverpool’s unions were clear that a regional approach is the only show in town. Working as individual unions is not only against our well-held value of collectivism, it simply doesn't make sense. Here in Scotland we have six student volunteers who will act as Regional Organisers to make this a reality. And their message that union staff should be 100% involved in our work towards the demo could not be more timely.

Here’s quick litmus test: as your students return, do a straw poll of how many of your senior staff are focussed on pulling pints and serving food, and how many are focussed on making your Fund Our Education: Stop the Cuts campaign as powerful and effective as possible. Now more than ever the entire movement, officers and staff need to be focussed on our core purpose: campaigning for change.
 
Finally, Shane Chowen hit the nail on the head with why this campaign, including the demo, is so important. Gone are the days when we have to recruit campaigners on the basis of what might happen in the future. Cuts are here now. Even in Scotland, where the Government have deferred any budget cuts until after the 2011 elections (wonder if there's a link...) we know that Courts and Board of Managements up and down the country are drawing up proposals for 20, 25 and even 30 per cent reductions. Devolution or no devolution - the consequences of a failed demo and a resulting perception that students are willing to roll over and act as scapegoats for Coalition spending cuts that will have severe consequences across the whole of the United Kingdom.
 
So after the success of the Road to the National Demo, we're planning to nick the best bits for Scottish students' unions who are meeting to plan for the demo next week. You can be sure that Scotland will see you there force, and you better believe that we're going to put a kilt on it!
 
Aaron said that this was “the fight that would matter for generations to come.” He is absolutely right, but after yesterday’s event, unions were clear that they're up for the fight of our generation, never mind tomorrow’s.