THURSDAY 25 MAY 2017
Issue 108
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Interviews with the candidates, guides to voting and coverage of the election so far
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Check out the SU’s manifesto regarding the election
Four contributors defend their party’s manifestos
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The Campaign Fail: A satirical look at the election’s most memorable gaffes
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NEWS
press.news@forgetoday.com
Forge Press Editorial Team Editor
editor@forgetoday.com
Luke Baldwin
Managing Editor Freyja Gilliard Deputy Editors editor@forgetoday.com Nick Burke Michael Chilton Head of News Ben Warner News
press.news@forgetoday.com
David Anderson Courtney Carr Gethin Morgan Comment
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James Pendlington Josie Le Vay Features
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Katharine Swindells Megan-Lily McVey Elsa Vulliamy Head of Sport Adam May Sport
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Josh Taylor Tim Adams
Copy Editors Florence Brun Matt Wickens Harriet Evans Leah Fox Connie Coombs Charlotte Knowles-Cutler
I
was actually organised enough for once to write my editorial almost a week in advance, a long winded ramble about the importance of voting and the joys of democracy. But after the events of Monday night, the election seems somewhat insignificant*. So I’d like to thank my deputies for encouraging me to write about something so personal. I’m not good at this kind of thing at the best of times, and the fact that this crime took place in my hometown has made it so much harder, so apologies if I don’t do it justice. I can honestly say this is strangest, most surreal thing I’ve ever had to write and it’s not a situation I ever thought I’d be in. Something like this doesn’t hit you seriously until it happens on your doorstep. It’s human nature to distance yourself from danger, to label it as something which happens in a different, very far away, part of the world. Even after the recent murders in Westminister many people, myself included, told
Sheffield elections in brief • 16 May - The local branch of National Union of Teachers (NUT) holds an event for a selection of Sheffield Central candidates which focused on education and lowering the voting age to 16. • 19 May - Sheffield Debating hosts candidate hustings with representatives of every major party in Sheffield attending. Read the full story on the next page. • 22 May - The deadline day to register to vote sees just under a quarter of a million young people sign up to vote for the General Election on the 8 June. If you’ve missed the deadline, don’t worry, as the University registers most of its students, so be sure to check online. • 23 May - Campaigning is suspended due to the attack in Manchester. This has seen the local hustings event at The Leadmill being pushed to next week. • 28 May - BBC Look North will be working with Forge TV and several other student TV stations to broadcast reactions to the BBC General Election debate.
themselves that something like this could only happen in the capital. We convince ourselves we’re safe to mask the fact that we’re afraid, and that’s understandable. No one can blame you for being scared or angry and I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel the same way. There’s no doubt that over the next few weeks people will continually refer to this event, particularly in the run up to the general election. I’m not going to try to convince you to think one way or another as it’s not my place to do so. I only ask that you don’t let fear or hate cloud your judgement. It’s reasonable to let recent events guide your political allegiance or view and in many ways that’s logical, but it should never dictate them. We should never let fear compromise our morals. If anything, it is most important during times of adversity to be unwavering in our sense of hope and humanity and remain united. I know that sounds like a cliché, like something you read on your
Editorial
Facebook feed accompanied by a hashtag the morning after this type of crime. But it’s true. Of course huge praise must be given to members of the emergency services and NHS workers who courageously performed their responsibilities and likely saved countless lives. Likewise, those who offered shelter to children separated from friends or family, or the taxis that gave free lifts home have done an incredibly kind thing and are a true testament to the strength and community which defines the city. It is during such awful times that it is most important to remember and practice such values. It’s strange, because I haven’t lived in Manchester since I became a student almost three years ago. Even nowadays when I do go back it isn’t for more than a couple of days, a week at the most. I was asked whether I thought Manchester was still my home a few weeks ago and I said no. But if Monday has taught me anything, it’s that home
is more than where you live. Home is about belonging. Manchester is my home, and always will be. And if there’s one thing I know about my home and the people who call it theirs, it’s that Manchester will get through this. There’s a reason Mancunians like to bang on about their city. About Oasis and Stone Roses. United and City. About our culture and our history. It’s because we’re proud. Tony Wilson once described his excess of civic pride as his “heroic flaw”. But it’s not a flaw; it’s a strength. It’s this pride that means we will never be divided. So whether you’re staying in Sheffield or spending the summer elsewhere, I hope all of you are somewhere you consider home with people you love.
Luke
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*You should definitely still vote though
Voting for Dummies Missed the voter registration deadlin e? Don’t worry! The University of Sheffield is one of the only universities that register all students to vote at the start of each year so you’re probably covered. If you’re not sure , all you have to do to find out is call Sheffiel d council electoral office by phoning their elec toral services on 0114 2734093.
ur polling It is important to find yo location is station on the day. The card. If you printed on your polling card, phone haven’t received a poll vices the council’s electoral ser y will be number (above) and the able to tell you.
o of the candidates Go over each manifest uency. Best way would running in your constit source and find the be to go straight to the ’s website and if not, document on the party policies summarised try and find the simple or opinion. When without any comment consider the e deciding who to vot for hted in the hlig hig issues affecting students manifesto. ion Un ’ Students
Polls are op en between 10:00pm, so 7:00am and you have ple nty of time to go vote even if you are run ning late.
Once you’ve voted, try and contain your excite ment and anticipation before the results come in. Coverage should begin roughly around 8:00p m, but exit polls will not be announced till after polls close at 10:00pm. Results will be counted through the night and announced in the early morning.
All of the beautiful election coverage will be shown in Bar One all night - get yourself down there for 10:00pm.
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Students’ Union hosts Sheffield candidate hustings Ben Warner Head of News
•• The Debating Society hosted hustings in the Auditorium for candidates •• Representatives from every major party were on the panel, debating student issues Local Sheffield candidates clashed at the Sheffield Students’ Union last Friday in a debate hustings hosted by Sheffield Debating. Every major party was in attendance at hustings held at the Students’ Union, talking about the issues that matter to students and the community. Former Sheffield Central MP Paul Blomfield accepted an invitation, along with Green candidate Natalie Bennett,
Liberal Democrat candidate – and councillor in Eccleshall – Shaffaq Mohammed, UKIP candidate for Sheffield Hallam, John Thurley, and the Conservatives’ candidate in Sheffield Heeley, Gordon Gregory. As expected, parts of the hustings were filled with particular tension. More than once Shaffaq Mohammed accused Blomfield of voting with the Conservatives and UKIP on Brexit, although the Labour candidate emphasised his status as a shadow Brexit minister, and the fact that he campaigned heartily for Remain. He also criticised the Lib Dems of forgetting their previous Eurosceptic stance – more than once holding up a leaflet suggesting Nick Clegg, Sheffield Hallam MP and former leader, wanted a referendum. Former Green leader and candidate, Natalie Bennett, meanwhile attacked Labour’s record on tuition fees and their
immigration stance, claiming Labour did not want to defend the free movement of people. Gregory stated that we shouldn’t reduce international student numbers as they bring a lot to the country. UKIP’s Sheffield Hallam candidate, John Thurley, drew
NEWS
laughter throughout the night for various controversial statements, notably describing his partner as his “lady friend” and suggesting the country was better in the Victorian era. The only parties on the ballot in June which weren’t represented at the hustings were the Yorkshire
Party, the Social Democratic Party and the Pirate Party, who stood up to complain at the end about a lack of representation. Don’t forget to vote on 8 June.
Forge launches cross-outlet News division Matt Wickens Copy Editor and Birthday Boy
Sheffield mourns Manchester attack Luke Baldwin Editor
Sheffield City Council held a vigil on Tuesday following the detonation of a bomb in Manchester which left 22 dead and around 50 injured. Hundreds gathered in Sheffield’s Peace Gardens to lay flowers and pay their respects to the victims of the explosion. Speakers included Sheffield’s Lord Mayor and several local religious leaders. Many of the local candidates for the upcoming general election were also in attendance. Campaigning for the election has temporarily been halted following the events of Monday night. The University of Sheffield has also released the following statement: “We are deeply shocked and saddened by
the events in Manchester and our thoughts are with all those affected. We are currently unaware of any staff or students directly affected. The university chaplaincy also offers support to student of all faiths and none”. Forge offers our sincerest condolences to anyone affected by the events. The university urges anyone who is concerned about a student, staff member or alumni to contact one of the numbers below. A public emergency number for concerned friends & relatives is available: Students: 0114 222 4321 Staff or Alumni: 0114 222 4444 Friends & Relatives: 0161 856 9400
Forge News, the new go-to-place for updates on local Sheffield student politics and life, launched last Thursday. The student-led service is a new collaboration between Forge Press, TV and Radio and will focus on bringing the most important updates straight to students. To celebrate the launch, Forge News will be releasing a set of hard hitting interviews on 1 June with local politicians including Natalie Bennett of the Greens, Nick Clegg of the Lib-Dems, Paul Blomfield of Labour, and Ian Walker of the Conservatives, asking them on how they plan to advocate for youth and student issues in Parliament.
Nick Cassidy, Head of News for Forge Radio, said: “Forge News is the next big thing for Forge as it marks a big collaboration between Press, Radio and TV. The interviews mark the first opportunity for Forge News, aiming to bring skills to Sheffield students who are interested in the news.” Luke Baldwin, Editor of Forge Press, said: “We’ve been really happy with how Forge Sport has grown since it started last year and I definitely think we can do the same with News”. Forge TV were unavailable for comment.
All of the interviews can be found online on forgetoday.com
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Constituency:
Profile:
SHEFFIELD CENTRAL
Sheffield Central was created in 1983 and at present covers parts of a number of council wards, including Broomhill & Sharrow Vale, City, Manor Castle, Nether Edge & Sharrow, and Walkley. Central is the largest student constituency in the country – 30% of residents also study at Sheffield or Hallam. It has been a Labour seat since it was re-created for the 1983 General Election, and since
2010 has been represented by Paul Blomfield, a former general manager of our Students’ Union. In 2015, he increased his majority by nearly 39%, winning 24,308 votes. The Green Party came second with 6,999 – the third-best result nationwide for the party in the election. They are hoping to go one better this year and gain their first Parliamentary seat in the North.
Natalie Bennett GREEN PARTY - Scrap tuition fees, bring back maintenance grants - Scrap age-related wage bands, raise to living wage - Referendum on Brexit deal
Paul Blomfield LABOUR
Increase mental health budget for young people Tuition fees scrapped and maintenance grant re-instated -
Jack Carrington YORKSHIRE PARTY - Have a Yorkshire Parliament - Integrated health and social care system
Dominic Cook UKIP At this time of publication, UKIP has yet to released their manifesto
Shaffaq Mohammed LIBERAL DEMOCRATS - Bring back maintenance grants - Guarantee rights of EU nationals in the UK - Protect Erasmus+ and other EU-funded schemes
Robert Moran PIRATE PARTY Scrap tuition fees Brexit based on Pirate principles Rebalance NHS budget to invest in mental health -
Stephanie Roe CONSERVATIVE - Parliament vote on final Brexit deal - Universities help run state schools
Joe Westnidge SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY Free education for “key subjects” Universities have overseas campuses -
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Constituency:
Profile:
SHEFFIELD HALLAM
Sheffield Hallam is the seat of former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, a Liberal Democrat. It covers areas including Crookes, Broomhill, Dore and Totley, Fulwood. It also encompasses the large student villages of Endcliffe and Ranmoor. Of the five seats in Sheffield, Hallam
is the only one which didn’t return a Labour candidate to Parliament in 2015, although Ed Miliband’s party were within 5% of gaining the seat. Before the Lib Dems won the seat in 1997, it had been a Conservative seat for over a century, bar a twoyear spell following a 1916 by-election.
Nick Clegg LIBERAL DEMOCRATS - Keep close relationship with Europe - Recognise value of international staff - Mental health treated as important as physical health
Jared O’Mara LABOUR Keep a place in the Erasmus+ scheme Don’t include international students in immigration numbers Ensure schools guidance for relationships and sex education is LGBT-inclusive -
Logan Robin GREEN PARTY -
Retain free movement, protect health, animal welfare and workers’ rights in Brexit negotiations Introduce proportional representation
John Thurley UKIP
At this time of publication, UKIP has yet to released their manifesto
Ian Walker CONSERVATIVE - Universities must be involved in academy sponsorship and free schools to charge max fees - Scrapping free lunches - Leave sningle market
Steven Winstone
SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY Points-based immigration system Repeal 1972 European Communities Act -
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COMMENT does:
Manifestos
Contributors give their views on each of the major parties’ manifestos. UKIP are yet to release theirs, but an article will be published on forgetoday.com when they do.
The working man-ifesto Minesh looks at Labour
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Minesh Parekh MA Politics student
he Labour Party have released their 2017 manifesto, detailing among other things their roadmap towards creating a National Education Service. The manifesto contains many important pledges for education, including quality childcare for all, free school meals, an end to academisation and the restoration of EMA. But for university students what stands out is the commitment to abolish tuition fees and to reintroduce maintenance grants. Since the introduction of
£9,000 fees and the increased marketisation of higher education we’ve seen a student mental health crisis of unprecedented levels as well as protests over spiralling accommodation and living costs. The average graduate is burdened with around £44,000 worth of debt. Students have been let down by successive governments. This culture of politicians betraying young people, and the subsequent apathy to mainstream politics, has deep roots. Critics of Labour are quick to note that it was Tony Blair’s government that originally introduced fees. Likewise, “Red” Ed Miliband’s 2015 offer to students was
£6,000, hardly inspiring stuff. And to be honest, I agree. I remember speaking against Liam Byrne (then Labour’s Shadow Minister for Universities) in 2015 about this at a National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts (NCAFC) demonstration in Birmingham. As a student and Labour Party member, you can certainly criticise a lot of Labour’s past actions. But I think that actually reveals the greatest appeal of Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party. Labour now stands against the tide of failed progressive election campaigns (Ed Miliband, the Remain campaign, Hillary 2016) which all lost because they were deeply uninspiring. This Labour
Party stands as more genuine than any other in its beliefs and actions. Its education policies have been shaped by education workers and activists and in the same way it’s listened to disabled people by believing in a social model of disability. Its manifesto pledges for workers’ rights have been shaped by listening to working people and unions. It seems to me that what this Labour Party is offering isn’t just its radical and responsible policies, but hope. The hope that we can actually transform politics and society for the better, a hope that we don’t have to settle for “controls on immigration” mugs and the six vague commandments
on a tombstone, and the hope that we ourselves can have a say in what our education, and our country, is to become. Labour is disrupting ‘politics-as-normal’. A government that works for the many, not for the few.
The never ending Tories William waxes lyrical over the Conservatives William Blythe Conservative Association Media Officer
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he Conservative Party, after much anticipation, have released their manifesto and it’s clear that Theresa May has created a diverse policy plan that works for everybody across the United Kingdom. Regardless of social background, previous voting history or economic positioning, it’s a manifesto we can all get behind. The clear departure from the Conservative Party under David Cameron and George Osborne is something I welcome in these uncertain times we face today. I must confess I was an avid supporter of Cameron’s government, and still believe that the reforms put forward by his cabinet have been successful in getting Britain back on its feet after the financial crash in 2008. However, I also believe the
Conservative Party must always adapt to suit the political landscape of the time. W e are facing the biggest political change in recent history: Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union. Even as a liberalconservative, I understand that we can’t, in a time of such colossal political
upheaval, rely solely on rampant individualism. As we look into the future as a country, we face dizzying uncertainty: the time for political ideology is not now. We need a government that will provide for everybody across the country, and we need a government that will take us out of the European Union in the cleanest possible way. Throughout the negotiations in Europe, we can’t afford to have a government with controversial domestic policies. We need a government that provides stability by ensuring divisive nationalists are unable to tear apart our precious United Kingdom as we begin to exit the EU. We need a
government that is wholeheartedly committed to helping the most vulnerable in our society through tackling inequality by increasing the living wage to 60% of the median incomes, and increasing the tax threshold to
£12,500 so there’s more money for all hardworking families in Britain. The average person has had enough of flashy policy ideas that resonate solely with the political idealists. This manifesto has captured the essence of conservatism. This is a no-nonsense, middle ground manifesto. One that strengthens our economy as we enter the tough negotiations with the European Union. One that I’m certain will unite the country in our time of need.
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Keep Farron till the end of the road Tim ponders over the Lib Dems Tim Anderson 2nd Year Geography Student
O
n Wednesday 17 May the Lib Dem’s launched their manifesto for the upcoming General Election. I appreciate that as a party they have to do a lot to rebuild the trust of students following their inability to follow through with their commitment not to raise tuition fees whilst in coalition with the Conservatives. However, the party has changed as there is fresh leadership with Tim Farron that represents a clean break from the Clegg era. So what are the Lib
Dem’s offering in their manifesto? Well they are committed to a more democratic process with regards to Brexit. They respect the result of the referendum, but, due to the vagueness of the terms of Brexit they will go into negotiations seeking access to the Single Market and allowing freedom of movement, with another referendum at the end of discussions giving the option of agreeing to the terms, disagreeing, or remaining in the EU as is. As someone who voted remain in the EU referendum for the reason of wanting to stay in the Single Market the Lib Dem’s are the party that most have that
same wish as me. The Lib Dem’s are also in favour of changing our voting system from ‘First Past The Post’ to ‘Single Transferable Vote’. It’s imperative for the future of British politics that we have electoral reform as it is manifestly appalling that a party can get 37% of the popular vote and yet transform that into 51% of available seats and that another can get 50% of the Scottish vote and get 95% of seats in Scotland (Conservatives and SNP respectively). The commitment to reverse the Conservatives’ proposed cuts to Corporation Tax are music to my ears as the rate of 17% that
is proposed in their manifesto would be half the level it is in the United States as well as being below the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) average. This is one credible source of extra tax revenue with another being their plan to legalise the consumption and production of cannabis for recreational uses. The Adam Smith Institute (an independent Economic think tank) estimated that this could be worth £6.8bn to the UK economy, and the end of it being listed as a class B drug would stop the needless limiting of the life opportunities of young people who are caught
in possession of the drug. The Liberal Democrats are the political party who are most committed to the future of democracy in Britain and their manifesto needs to be considered by you, the voter.
Remember to have your Greens A glance over the Greens Unidentified Young Green Student activist
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ou’ve probably heard a flurry of policy announcements from politicians over the last few weeks. That can only mean one thing: it’s manifesto season! It goes without saying that the manifesto has no end of environmental policies. The Earth’s average temperature cannot rise two degrees more before ‘ordinary human activity’ becomes ‘compromised’, according to the IPCC, and we’re already two thirds of the way there. We don’t have a planet B. That’s why the Greens would replace all coal fired power stations with renewable sources, ban fracking, and introduce a one-off ban on all car companies which faked their emissions tests. But protecting the environment also means protecting communities. The last seven years have been years of austerity, of cuts and - as many on the right would call it - “efficiency savings”. The Greens see it
for the ideological project that it is. Instead, they would raise corporation tax, create a new tax for the top 1% of earners, and invest in more tax officers at Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs to crack down on tax avoidance. By asserting that the most fortunate in society should pay their fair share - not the most vulnerable - the Greens would be able to stop cuts to welfare and public services, and invest money back into our ailing education system. Greens believe that young people were lied to in 2010. They were told t h a t
there would be an end to tuition fees. Instead, they were raised to £9,000 a year, an amount of debt so large most students will never pay it back. Greens believe that the wrongs of the past should be put right, and not only should tuition fees be abolished, but those that have been forced to pay the ridiculous £9,000 sum should be relieved of their debt. UoS Young Greens began the campaign for Sheffield to raise its student bursary for students from low income families (classed as £25k/year) from £1,500 a year to over £3,000. I was so proud when SU council voted this month to support this policy*, but if the Greens get their way it won’t be necessary, as Green MPs would campaign to reintroduce the educational maintenance grant paid to all students from low income backgrounds nationwide, ensuring that everyone can access education. The Greens would protect our relationship with Europe. Not only would that mean immediately granting the right for all EU citizens to
remain in the UK, and pushing for a continued right to travel, study, and work in the EU, but also for a ratification referendum. This would be an opportunity at the end of the negotiations to see if the promises of the Leave campaign come true. We can see if we get £350 million a week for the NHS. And if we don’t like the deal, we will have the option to remain in the EU on the ballot paper.
*n.b. This does not mean that this is being implemented. The SU Council has merely stated their support for the motion and will take the motion to the University
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THE CAMPAIGN FAIL
THURSDAY 25 MAY 2017
With the general election just around the corner, Deputy Editor Nick Burke takes a satirical look at the worst political gaffes made so far.
Poor Philip Hammond. Not only is the current Chancellor’s future within Theresa May’s cabinet unclear, but a recent Radio 4 interview devolved into an entertaining journey through hypocrisy. Hammond’s vilification of the Labour manifesto’s spending was leapt on by presenter John Murphy, who questioned the spiralling cost of highspeed railway HS2. Hammond understated the cost by a huge margin, blaming the £20bn difference on “contingency”. The man’s optimism is impressive.
A special mention must go to the BBC cameraman who conspired to get his foot run over by Jeremy Corbyn’s car. Naturally, this elicited a barely concealed smear campaign from the antiCorbyn sections of the press, although a fairer response could have been ‘who plays chicken with a vehicle and then blames the driver?’
In an attempt to outAbbott Abbott, Angela Rayner came under the cosh in similar circumstances. The Shadow Education Secretary’s interview with LBC came unstuck as she failed to specify the number of children affected by Labour’s promise of smaller class sizes in schools, repeating only that the figure was “significant”. This was not enough for presenter Nick Ferrari, who gleefully bore down
on her apparent lack of knowledge. Undoubtedly, this was Miss Rayner’s shrewd attempt to divert attention from recent events with a similarly cringe-inducing gaffe, and if so this was a plan that worked to perfection. In fairness to her, Ferrari had the figures right in front of him and asked the question anyway. In fairness to him, he has the sort of surname that middle aged men in the throes of a midlife crisis could only dream of.
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Where to start with Theresa May? From confusing learning disabilities with mental health issues to stage managing paperthin crowds in Northumberland, the Conservative leader has struggled to set a consistent tone throughout her campaign. Most recently, and very decidedly not strongly and stably, the Prime Minister was forced to U-turn in unprecedented fashion. The lack of a cap on lifetime care costs for the elderly in the Conservative manifesto created accusations of a so-called “dementia tax”. Within hours of the U-turn, May was experiencing her most challenging (and entertaining) day of the
During an interview with LBC radio Diane Abbott ‘mistakenly’ said that the cost of hiring 10,000 new police officers would be £300,000, implying that each new police officer would make an annual salary of £30 (pre-tax of course). Evidently this was a subtle joke by our potential Home Secretary and not an embarrassing lack of knowledge that the mainstream media would have you believe. A few days after Ms Abbott once again captured the focus of the media when she stated that Labour had made a net loss of 50 seats in the recent council elections when in actuality 125
Tim Farron’s had a rough time of late, too. The Liberal Democrat leader’s campaign has proved far more eventful than his predecessor Nick Clegg’s, with Farron’s Christian faith making him the subject of intense antiliberal suspicion (to great irony). Amongst all this, Farron has even had time to engage in a titanic battle with Brexit voter Malcolm Baker over a second referendum. If we can’t fix the divides between our people, we might as well laugh at them, right?
seats had been lost. Perhas what happened in this instance is that Ms Abbott misheard and thought that the question was “What would someone who was politically inept say as a guess to how many seats Labour lost”, which is why she answered with 50 as opposed to 125. Definitely.
Lastly, and certainly not leastly, a special mention goes the nation’s favourite foreign envoy Boris Johnson. In this week’s episode, Johnson chose to extend his slightly charred olive branch to Bristol and a Sikh gurdwara, a move which bore no fruit whatsoever to the surprise of absolutely no one. As he spoke from beneath a fetching orange turban, promises of lessening the duty tax on
campaign so far, with some bright spark branding it “weak and wobbly”. How weird is it that the antonym of the Tories’ key slogan would also be onomatopoeic?
whisky between India and the UK were immediately rebuffed by the fact that the Sikh faith does not tolerate alcohol. This, along with claims that the Tory manifesto promises a weekly sum to the NHS when it absolutely doesn’t, goes some way to explaining why we haven’t seen as much of Boris as many of us would like.
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SPORT
press.sport@forgetoday.com
Wednesday’s Wembley dream halted by Huddersfield 10 hour hockey match raises money for charity
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Daniel Cross Forge Sport Contributor
ast week the University of Sheffield hosted a non-stop 10-hour hockey match in aid of The Teenage Cancer Trust and Neurocare. Both Men’s and Women’s sides took to the field to contest the longest ever sports match played on the pitches of Goodwin. The two teams mostly comprised of players from Sheffield’s hockey club, with different abilities distributed evenly among teams to provide everyone with a fair chance of playing. Organiser Emily Ramsden said: “(The event) is a way into the club for people that are hoping to improve and get into a team or just have fun and play hockey once a week with their friends.” It was important for the club to give everyone a go. This meant experienced players weren’t in charge of running the show. It was obvious everyone got behind this with members keenly pointing out whenever there was showboating on the pitch. Ramsden was ecstatic with the day which raised hundreds of pounds for charity explaining, “The reaction has been amazing. It was a big effort to get the word out and all organisers and players should be pleased with their efforts.”
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Matt Reilly Forge Sport Contributor
heffield Wednesday’s dream of reaching the play-off final for a second consecutive year ended after a 4-3 penalty shoot-out defeat to Huddersfield Town. Hillsborough rocked from the get go as both sets of fans were vocal in what proved to be a close and entertaining encounter. The Owls were dealt a blow early on when they lost Ross Wallace to injury, but they began to show their ambition for victory once they fell into their rhythm. The first clear chance of the game fell to Wednesday after Wallace’s replacement Adam Reach forced
a fine save from Terriers keeper Danny Ward. The away side replied with Izzy Brown clipping the ball just wide of the near post from close range. Wednesday did have a last opportunity to take the lead before half time after Barry Bannan played a ball over the top to Fletcher, but the 30 year-old pulled his pass just behind Fernando Forestieri who otherwise would have had an easy finish from inside the box. The second-half provided better quality football and Wednesday scored within five minutes, as Fletcher made a great leap to connect with Bannan’s cross, putting the Owls in front
and sending Hillsborough into euphoria. Wednesday were then guilty of backing off to try and defend their lead. 20 minutes later Huddersfield found an equaliser and a foothold in the game with Nahki Wells becoming the first player on the end of a cross to slide the ball home. Just before regular time was up the visitors nearly found a winner, but Keiren Westwood pushed Wells’ strike to safety before the final whistle. With nothing to separate the sides after 90 minutes, extra time was called, but the only clear chances came in the last 15 minutes as Wells hit the side netting on the
rebound from substitute Tareiq Holmes-Dennise’s effort. Jordan Rhodes could have sealed the win to send Wednesday to Wembley but his header from close range went inches wide of an upright. The only thing left to decide the game were penalties and the Owls were immediately on the back foot after Sam Hutchinson saw his spotkick saved by Ward. Westwood managed to give Wednesday a lifeline after keeping out Jack Payne but Ward was Huddersfield’s hero of the hour, denying Forestieri and giving the visiting side victory and a trip to Wembley against Reading on 29 May.