AH! The ‘peasants’ revolt’ has started – or, at least, that’s what the papers would have us believe.

The students were the first, because they want a cheap three years away from home, in order to ‘study’.

I have vague memories of folk actually working their way through college, but over the past years we have conditioned young people to think that they should all go on to years of free, or cheap, education.

Well, I don’t agree.

The criteria for a free scholarship, or a bursary entrance, to university should be of the highest standard and should be given to only those who have attained that standard.

Others, not so bright, who still wish to go, maybe out of pride, ambition, wanting to further their job prospects or simply wanting three years of ‘jollies’, should have to pay the market rate – and not expect the rest of us to fork out to support them.

As a country, we have, for too many years, fostered the idea in people that they are entitled to do a lot of things without ever having to put anything in the pot.

Well, the moment of truth has arrived and I’m afraid the cupboard is bare.

We’ve allowed people to come into the country and without ever having paid a penny into the system, immediately claim benefits, housing, healthcare and schooling.

And it’s at a time when many of our own are struggling. Other countries think we are barmy and I’m afraid I must agree.

To get ourselves out of the mire, we must be strong, stop this turning the other cheek, and root out the hangers-on.