13.03.2003

'Prince Harry pulls my anti-war badges off'

School students were out in force - including from Eton

Ed: I'd say there are about a hundred people in Eton opposed to this war. Eton is regarded as a centre of reaction. But within it the opinion is growing that war is morally wrong and not only a crime, but a huge blunder. Mobilisation has been difficult. The hundred people I mentioned are probably an optimistic number - it will require some activism and real work on our part to consolidate them. But we went through a lot of argument, did a whole poster campaign, brought lots of speakers in - we've had Globalise Resistance and George Galloway. It's been difficult, but I think opinion is shifting. Rory: The authorities in the college have been very helpful. They have been supportive of having a wide range of views in the college. The school is very supportive of people expressing different political beliefs. Tony Blair doesn't care about the children of Iraq - the bombs don't differentiate based on how old someone is. In this country - whatever age you are - you have the right to stand up and express your political views. What is really encouraging about today is that there is a new generation moving into the political arena through direct action in the anti-war movement. On the day war breaks out I'm confident we'll get all the anti-war people out for some direct action. Ed: People say that youth are apathetic, that they don't really have any political voice. But look at 1968. That whole upsurge was triggered by students who were being kept down by the authorities. In that sense, student power is potentially huge, potentially very political. Rory: The idea that young people are apolitical is rubbish. They are becoming more and more political. Certainly, our generation is - judging from my friends and relations. And I think there is also a huge potential there for politicisation. Ed: I'm not sure that it's going to lead to a general politicisation. On this particular issue, there is such a high degree of spontaneous revulsion, however. It precisely the nature of the issue that is important. Rory: I think the current activism is a response to some profit-based warmongering rather than a definite trend towards political activism. For example, I don't think reducing the voting age would engage young people much more. But when there is a clear injustice, such as the current war on Iraq, that can be a spark that can trigger something off. Ed: Not for everyone, of course. Prince Harry still pulls my anti-war badges off. Nice guy, though "¦