Why are a lot of students left-wing?

Because they're idiots. If you're poor in this country (and have no inherant mental or physical disabilities), then you deserve to be poor. There are people in Africa who have access to none of the services like in this country; yet you see people in the UK making a mockery of the education sytem, and not making the most of what they have. You have an opportunity in the UK to do well; in Africa you have nothing. You'll be stuck in a viscious cyle all your life whilst some person who can't be ****** to work in the UK has a far more comfortable life. People need to see the bigger picture.

no it doesnt, it just shows warped morality, avoidance of progression and a poor sense of reality in terms of the composition of national and international society. Conservatives do not think that it is state responsibility to encourage equal opportunity and equality for all- they instead emphasise individual advancement- overlooking the obvious fact that some are in a greater position to prosper than others- leading to crevaces in society, whereby a minority wield power over the majority. conservatism works if we are in a society whereby everyone has equal opportunities. unfortunately, until such a society is established, conservatism will only drive a wedge between our current unequal state and progression.

Oh my God, join the club haha! I've been to private and state, and at the moment I go to a state sixth form centre, and guess who's the only Conservative in the Class...

I agree with that, I asked one of my friends why he supports Labour and he said he'd 'just been brought up that way'.

"You live in a very affluent affluent constituency, what's it like?" I live 10 miles away from my sixth form, hardly anyone lives near me in that class

Why does everything with you people have to be about money? I never want to be rich, because I've seen what people are like when they have too much money, and if I'm honest I don't really like them very much. (Not saying you, just in general. I had the misfortune to get a scholarship to a private school for a few years where I was bullied for being poor.)

Having studied Russia/USSR for 3 years straight, doing my dissertation on this issue, so I think I understand Socialism perfectly well thank you. Please do some research into the basic theory of socialism and the effects it has had on every country it has been implemented in. Look at the socialist parties and their polices in Europe today. It is all geared towards income redistribution.

Give me an example of a situation in which somebody does not have the opportunity to be just as successful as anybody else.

If one child was born into a family who rely on state benefits, whose priority is to survive, then it is less likely for their environment to be as fitting for 'opportunity and success' than a child who is born into a financially comfortable middle class family. Some families simply cannot afford to own a computer, or to promote deeply educational activities for their children outside of school, so to encourage intellectual exploration and the pursuing of similar opportunities is rendered far more difficult. Opportunity is indeed there, but for some it is much harder to find than for others.

I do not consider myself left wing, I would like to see the individual strive for success. However, although emphasis on a society whereby each individual is encouraged to progress independent of external support is very novel, the fact of the matter is that certain individuals do not have the means to progress in the way that they are capable of doing. Hence substantial state support is necessary- for it shall enable the less fortunate to be just as successful as the fortunate.

I am not saying that people should be loyal to the state, and that each person should be completely equal (because this is both unrealistic and impractical) but that the state should be loyal to society (you can probably sense that I am a wet liberal from such statements.) The reason I dislike conservatism is that it encourages the individual to advance on their own accord, but largely overlooks the fact that certain individuals do not have the environment in which to do such. I think that for a progressive society, the state should not merely encourage and take a back seat (the state which conservatism has often strived to create,) but take a pro-active position- acting as a father- guiding his child, as opposed to inducing a sutuation whereby the child has to actively search for a father figure.

For the record, I am quite impressed with Mr Cameron's efforts so far. I am less pleased with my libdem friends however, but this is another story.

Well if I understand correctly, then I've just learned a lot - thank you!

i'm reluctant to align myself to any party though because theres so much blending of policies going on- one minute labour is really socialist, next minute they release their grip on the economy like conservatives under blair. just a massive melting pot really. i just tend to sit on the fence and call myself 'liberal' when it comes to politics. id be a poor debater because i'd argue against myself- i think its important to see as many sides of an argument as we can really. i might make a diplomat though haha

Give me an example of a situation in which somebody does not have the opportunity to be just as successful as anybody else.

haha together we can change the views of state school students

After seeing the following quote, I have to say we are in very similar situations:

I know this is going to sound corny, but c'mon now, what is wrong in looking out for the poor?

Are you aware of the term 'sink estate'?

I think it's because most students are intelligent and middle-class. Most intelligent, middle class people are left-wing.

Nothing. There is something wrong with wanting to coerce others into also helping the poor too though. There also the whole issue of the unseen and unintended consequences, and it's been economic freedom, not state involvement that has led to the huge prosperity we've experienced in the past 150 years.