Inside Culture: 15
MCR Indie Film Festival: 20 & 21
Saskia Vogel Interview: 23
Spilling the hospitali-tea: 27
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18th March 2019 / Issue 20
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The Students’ Union? Candidate cheating fallout angers students
Ethan Davies, Amy Wei & Sam Honey Editor-in-Chief, Deputy Editor & Head News Editor
The fallout from the dramatic University of Manche ster Students’ Union (SU) Executive Officer elections has continued this week, as the International Students’ Officer for 2019/2020 remains unconfirmed. Two candidate s who were banned from campaigning towards the end of the voting period went on to win – namely Kwame Kwarteng as G eneral S ecretary, and Rana Phool as Postgraduate Officer. Meanwhile, the position of International Students’ Officer has still not been declared, with the Students’ Union remaining vague over the exact proce ss behind examining the conte st. An Independent NUS committee, advis ed by the Returning Officer, will ass e ss the re sult, but there remains a lack of clarity over how candidate s will be s crutinis ed. While accusations of campaigning mis conduct have hit numerous candidate s during the voting period, such claims have
Headlines this week
centred around the four candidate s that ran on a joint ‘slate’ – a shared platform – with s ome s ocial media reports indicating that the slate’s International Students’ Officer candidate Dishika Bhalotia, or thos e repre s enting her, had snatched students’ phone s to register vote s against their will. The Mancunion understands two motions have been submitted to March’s student S enate meeting to block Kwarteng and Phool from taking office in the current circumstance s. However, this is complicated by the fact that one of them is a no-confidence motion, which means there is no legal precedent for an officer to be no-confidenced be fore taking office. The Mancunion understands the other motion, submitted by Callum Mogridge, would s eek to re-run the G eneral S ecretary and Postgraduate Officer elections. While the SU has addre ss ed students’ concerns over the campaign by inve stigating the mis conduct following numerous complaints, the lack of supervision and policing of candidate
UoM becomes a living wage employer Page 3
campaigning leave s the status of the legally-mandated elections at least partly compromis ed in s ome students’ eye s. Criticism of the NUS has als o been rife over the decision not to more thoroughly inve stigate the G eneral S ecretary or Postgraduate Officer winners, with Kwarteng and Phool having s eemingly worked clos ely with Bhalotia during the elections – who face s a more stringent hearing. Olivia Meisl, incumbent SU E ducation Officer said of the campaigning ban handed to candidate s breaching rule s: “It was ine ffective, becaus e their candidate teams still went out to intimidate people... if you have ten-plus people campaigning for you in a little group, people don’t have the re s ource s to compete with that”. Perhaps even wors e for the SU is the news that turnout fell by 0.4% from last year. 7,7 7 1 students cast their ballot this year, repre s enting only 19.4% of the entire student body – de spite the fact the SU offered daily incentive s to vote. One anonymous s econd year student
admitted their intere st in the elections had been purely motivated by the s e incentive s: “I voted to get a free cactus, and I hadn’t originally been intere sted in the elections. I just voted for the first people I could s ee on the list, that weren’t on the four-pers on ticket that was circuited around campus.” Indeed, four of the eight winners of the elections were listed first alphabetically, again raising que stions over the true e ffectivene ss of the incentive s. A s econd year student explained their disregard at the election re sult, and further remarked that would expect possibly a drop in turnout in the event of a re-run: “Obviously there is financial motivation behind the cheating, if the claims prove to be true, considering the salary that is up for grabs. “Quite simply, the election was not fair, and should be re-run, or the positions handed to thos e that didn’t cheat. Even if the s e elections were held again, I doubt turnout would be as high.”
Story continues on page 2...
Cannabis clinic UoM mental opens in Greater health spending Manchester revealed Page 3
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Puzzle Page! Page 14
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ISSUE 20 / 15th March 2019 WWW.MANCUNION.COM
Continued from page 1...
Frustration as SU Election fallout continues Ethan Davies, Amy Wei & Sam Honey Editor-in-Chief , Deputy Editor & Head News Editor
One anonymous student summarised the apathetic feelings that many students are left with in regards to their SU after recent developments: “For me, it’s bad but I struggle to feel much other than apathy towards SU politics. I wasn’t following the
election, and most of my friends weren’t.” They went on to say that they believed the elections undermined their faith in the SU: “What happened in the elections was wrong and unfair, but fundamentally, I don’t know how much of a difference it will make other than setting a poor precedent. Other than funding for societies, the SU does
not have a recognisable role that I have been aware of. There certainly needs to be greater outreach then just promoting elections, there is not enough of the SU, and what their powers are.” The Mancunion has reached out to Kwame Kwarteng and Rana Phool for comment.
Photo: Mikey @ Flickr
Awe-inspiring women in science and technology Science & Tech, page 8
Eating hummus with Ethan Societies, page 12
Piccadilly Gardens branded a ‘no-go area’ by Judge The Police and Judiciary are now in disagreement over the safety of one of the city centre’s largest spaces Sam Honey Head News Editor
How to save a city from heartbreak Lifestyle, page 29
Follow us on Contact us Editor-in-Chief: Ethan Davies editor@mancunion.com Deputy Editor: Amy Wei deputyeditor@mancunion.com Online Editor: Jeremy Bijl online@mancunion.com Print Editor: Kizzy Bray design@mancunion.com
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A judge has described city centre square Piccadilly Gardens as a ‘no-go area’. Judge Alan Conrad QC made the remark during a trial for knifepoint robbery in the square. “Piccadilly Gardens is an area that should be an attraction in the centre of Manchester. “But it has become a no-go area for many people. A place they avoid going to or passing through and cases such as this will re-enforce that feeling”, said Conrad. The Mancunion reported last week that Piccadilly Gardens had become a major issue for the city, with an abnormally-high level of crime, as well features@mancunion.com Opinion Editor: Sophie Marriott Deputy Editor: Cachella Smith opinion@mancunion.com
as long overdue redevelopment plans, that have still not been fulfilled, despite council promises. The crime threat is particularly worrying for students, as Piccadilly Gardens is one of the largest bus terminals in the city, with a number of late night services departing from the stop. Despite Judge Conrad’s claim, a Greater Manchester Police inspector hit back, saying he would not use the same label, although Piccadilly Gardens had ‘issues’. One of the greatest problems associated with the area is spice usage, with police regularly called amid reports of people collapsing. Meanwhile, the heavily disliked ‘Berlin Wall’, a concrete structure in
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the middle of the square will not be knocked down in the near future, despite promises that an ‘eco wall’ consisting of plants would replace it. Manchester City Council leader Richard Leese recognised the significance of the issue to citizens of the city centre. “We know that people have strong views about the need for improvements to Piccadilly Gardens. Indeed after begging, the Gardens was the issue which was most raised in last year’s city centre review.” In order to make the square accessible, open, and peaceful for all, the council must commit to substantial investment to upgrade the square, but also to dealing with major sources of crime, such as spice addiction and homelessness.
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UoM becomes official Living Wage employer
3 Photo: katerw @Flickr
The University will now be formally required to pay all employees £9 per hour, alongside a range of other employment-related benefits Sam Honey Head News Editor The University of Manchester has become an officially-accredited Living Wage employer, after the pressure of a sustained campaign from students. By becoming accredited with the foundation, organisations commit to paying its employees a minimum of £9 per hour. The application came after the Living Wage campaign held an open meeting last November, in which it formally requested that the university would sign up.
The University claims that it already paid staff more than the hourly rate recommended by the Living Wage Foundation (LWF), but claimed that membership offered a host of other benefits, including generous pensions and occupational sick pay. The University helped LWF reach a milestone, as it became the 5,000th national organisation to be granted Living Wage status. Mayor Andy Burnham expressed his content that the university had reached LWF status, but was clear that there was
more work to do to spread equal pay. “It’s great to see an organisation as highprofile as the University of Manchester become the latest Living Wage employer in the city-region. “As good as this news is, there are still too many workers who are paid less than the real Living Wage struggling to keep their heads above water. In the North West alone, around a quarter of all workers earn below the real Living Wage, with about 265,000 people in Greater Manchester earning too little to live on. “In one of the world’s richest nations,
it should be a source of national shame that so many working people are worrying about putting food on the table, with some forced to use foodbanks.” Meanwhile, Vice-Chancellor Nancy Rothwell praised the social responsibility of the university in seeking LWF status. “Social responsibility is a core goal of our university, and by becoming accredited with the LWF we have a real opportunity to influence policy in a national forum and have conversations about the benefits that good pay and working conditions bring to individuals and wider society.”
Photo: University of Leeds
Lower tuition fees threaten number of university places
Course sizes could shrink in the near future to accommodate a reduction in fees Joe Hurdman News Reporter The Russell Group have released a statement claiming that the amount of admissions to university could shrink if tuition fees are reduced. The current annual fee of £9,250 is expected to fall to £7,500 following a review of higher education funding in England commissioned by Theresa May last year. Universities have warned that if the government does not provide compensation to make up the loss in income they might be
forced to reduce the amount of students taken on. Non-STEM subjects could likely be hit hardest due to guarantees on courses such as maths, engineering, and medicine. According to the Russell Group, income from tuition fees and grants is already below lab-based subjects’ teaching costs, meaning any reduction in income could lead to a tightening of belts for universities. The University of Manchester is also part of the Russell Group. Vice-Chancellor Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell earns £263,431 a year. Such a reduction in admittance to
the University without greater government spending would surely affect income. Moreover, the £75 million refurbishment of Owens Park, and the nearly completed Unsworth Park accommodation, are both being scheduled to open for the start of the 2019-20 academic year. “There is only so much teaching we can provide at a loss. Of course we want to see science, engineering, and maths protected, but linguists and economists are vital for the economy too,” said Koen Lamberts, who earns £426,589 a year as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield.
“I don’t think Whitehall should get into this level of workforce planning and indirectly tell universities which subjects we should and shouldn’t teach.” Many universities argue that they have a vital role in the UK economy, leading to calls for greater government control. This framing of the argument over which courses universities should provide, rather than the money paid in salaries or put into building investments, has been seen as universities attempting to pressure the government into maintaining profit margins over education or research.
UK’s first medicinal cannabis clinic to open in Greater Manchester
The Beeches private health centre in Manchester is the first medicinal cannabis clinic to open in the UK since laws changed regarding cannabis prescription Lucy Menage News Reporter On the 9th March the UK’s first medicinal cannabis clinic opened at The Beeches Consulting Centre in Manchester. The clinic located in Cheadle, will be led by pain specialist Dr David McDowell and consultant neurologist, Professor Mike Barnes, who will act as clinical director. From 1st November 2018 clinicians have been able to prescribe medicinal cannabis products for patients in specialised circumstances.
Each case will be decided upon individually and cannabis will only be prescribed when a patient has a clinical need that cannot be helped by other medications. The new law does not limit the type of conditions that can be treated by medicinal cannabis and approval from an expert panel is no longer required. Professor Mike Barnes helped to secure the first cannabis licence for Alfie Dingley who suffers from severe epilepsy. Professor Barnes highlighted the importance of the new clinic: “Patients suffering from chronic pain and other
serious neurological or psychiatric conditions have been crying out for this kind of life-changing treatment. “This clinic will represent a lifeline to those who have found other treatments ineffective. This also brings the UK into line with other countries when it comes to pain management. “The hope is that over time patients all around the country and not just in Manchester will have access to the relief that they need.” The clinics prices start as £200 for a consultation and a private monthly prescription ranging from £600-£700.
Medicinal cannabis will provide new hope for sufferers of chronic pain such as 32-year old Forzana Nasir who suffers from Ehlers Danlos Syndrome: “Having access to this medicine allows me to ease my chronic pain which turns an unbearable day into a manageable day. It has been life-changing for me. I was almost bedbound before this and now I have much greater quality of life. “It is so important that other patients in the UK who are suffering can have the same opportunity. This clinic opening is a significant step forward for healthcare in this country.”
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Photo: Elvert Barnes @Flickr
Clash of protestors outside Fallowfield abortion clinic
An angry demonstrator harassed an group of elderly pro-life protestors outside the Marie Stopes clinic in Fallowfield, before making a speedy getaway in her car Sam Honey Head News Editor A police investigation is underway after a passerby aggressively confronted a group of elderly anti-abortion protestors outside a clinic in Fallowfield. The Marie Stopes clinic on Wynnstay Grove was the site of the incident, where three members of the ‘40 Days For Life’ group were peacefully protesting. The group promote peaceful prayer to help change women’s minds about possible abortion procedure, and hold campaigns outside clinics twice a year. The three protestors, all aged over 70, were undertaking the vigil at around 10:30am, when an unidentified member of the public
confronted them, screaming obscenities. A number of pictures published on the website of local outlet Mancunian Matters show the figure proceeding to throw deck chairs and then hurl the group’s literature over a nearby fence. The intruder then made a speedy gateway by car, after the police had been called to attend the scene. They remain unidentifed as of yet, while the police look further into the confrontation that took place. Jason McShane-Chapman, the ManchesterLeeds Regional Manager for Marie Stopes condemned the behaviour, and further said any demonstrations outside abortion clinics were unhelpful: “We are aware that an incident took place outside our Manchester centre on
Friday. “Any kind of aggressive or confrontational behaviour outside a health centre is clearly unacceptable, and does not help people who are trying to access the service. Unfortunately, the presence of lobby groups like 40 Days for Life outside our clinics can cause tensions to rise and this incident demonstrates why it is inappropriate for protests to take place where potentially vulnerable women are trying to access legal NHS funded healthcare.” Robert Colquhon, the international campaigns director for ‘40 Days for Life’ responded by claiming that the organisation had never been the cause of any intimidating activity outside clinics: “40 Days for Life organise peaceful, prayerful and legal vigils outside of abortion centres in the United
Kingdom. “In nine years of ministry we have not seen a single substantiated case of harassment or intimidation by any of our volunteers in that time. We have however received abuse from passers-by.” There have been calls to halt demonstrations by both pro-choice and pro-life groups outside abortion clinics, with concerns that attempts to sway the view of vulnerable women may increase stress and anxiety at an already difficult time. The Fallowfield Marie Stopes clinic have reassured possible patients that the clinic has upmost concern for their well-being, and that security is on hand to escort anybody that feels pressurised by demonstrators outside the clinic.
Court finds government Prevent duty guidance unlawful
Government counter-extremism guidelines on universities inviting controversial figures to speak has been ruled unbalanced, inaccurate, and unlawful Rona McCann Sub-Editor Prevent guidelines on inviting controversial figures to speak at universities have been declared to violate freedom of speech laws, an appeal court has ruled. The guidelines must now be rewritten. The guidelines were said to be unbalanced, and lacked the accuracy needed to abide by universities’ obligation to both allow freedom of speech and prevent students from being drawn into terrorism. The language used in the Prevent guidance was said to be “trenchant” by the appeal’s chief judges, who continued that
the language “is not only intended to frame the decision of [universities] on the topic in question, it is likely to do so.” A more balanced guidance that better fits the Secretary of State’s true aims of Prevent “would be very easily achievable”. The ruling is part of a judicial review by Dr Salman Butt, a prominent Muslim writer and publisher who has in the past been accused of being a non-violent extremist. Butt brought forward his case against Prevent duty guidance after the comments were by made in a Downing Street press release announcing the publication of an updated version of the guidance. The release stated that Butt had been identified by the Home Office’s Extremism
Analysis Unit as a speaker who was “on record as expressing views contrary to British values”. Butt claimed that as a direct result of the accusation, he had stopped receiving invitations to speak at universities. His solicitor dubbed the ruling against the Prevent guidance as an important victory, which enables claims that it is too narrow, too prescriptive, and restricts free speech to be heard. Prevent is a part of wider government strategy against terrorism, aimed at stopping people from being radicalised, with a focus on non-violent extremism. Prevent guidance defines extremism as “vocal or active opposition to fundamental
‘British values’, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs”. Butt has expressed his concern over how Prevent duty guidance may affect people in more everyday situations, by saying “I haven’t had any other problems ever. At borders and stuff, they just let me through. “I think if you just stand up and challenge something, they let you go. It’s the poor guys who just keep their heads down that keep getting hassled by Prevent. I think that’s what Prevent relies on; people just not knowing their rights.”
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New mental health taskforce created to support students The Education Transitions Network will look at how students moving to university can be better supported in the first year of their studies Photo: Tumisu @pixabay
Josh Sandiford Breaking News Editor A new taskforce to support students adjusting to university life has been set up by the Education Secretary. The Education Transitions Network, which is supported by leading organisations, will look at how students moving to university can be better supported in the first year of their studies. The new taskforce will develop measures to help students make a smooth transition into higher education and maintain good mental health. Those currently on board include UCAS, the National Union of Students, Student Minds, Universities UK, and the Office for Students. Last week, the largest ever student mental health poll revealed that the
number of university students suffering from mental health problems is at an alltime high. There is already work underway across the higher education sector to improve support for student mental health, with the Department for Education identifying four areas of risk that can affect the mental health of young people going to university. The four key areas include independent living, independent learning, relationships, and wellbeing. Students attending university will likely have to manage their finances for the first time, make new friends and can sometimes be vulnerable to loneliness and isolation. The Education Transitions Network will also include the Association of Colleges and Sixth Form Colleges Association to ensure that schools and colleges play a vital role in preparing students for the new
difficulties they can face when they start university. Education Secretary Damian Hinds said: “Going to university should be a positive, life-changing experience. Understandably for many young people, the idea of leaving home and starting to live independently can be exciting but also daunting. “Juggling challenges like independent studying or managing finances can be hard enough, but with the added element being in a new place, surrounded by new people, it can for some be overwhelming. We need to make sure students have the support they need to thrive at university and help these really be the best days of their life.” In December, the Education Secretary wrote to the chair of an expert panel convened by Universities UK to urge that it did all in its power to help higher
education institutions do more to reach out to students’ emergency contacts when it is clear that it is in the best interests of a student’s health. A network was first announced last year by former Universities Minister Sam Gyimah as part of a range of measures to improve student mental health support, including the development of a University Mental Health Charter led by Student Minds, which will reward institutions that deliver improved student mental health outcomes. Rosie Tressler, CEO of Student Minds, said: “We often hear from students and in our research that times of transition can significantly impact student wellbeing throughout their university experience. We therefore welcome the work of the Education Transitions Network, in enabling further collaborations in this space.”
Photo: Tony Webster @ Wikimedia Commons
Police ‘undercounting’ masks true extent of Greater Manchester’s knife crime Greater Manchester Police are pushing to combat knife crime after they discovered erroneous data and knives concealed in public spaces Emily Broncz Deputy News Editor The issue of knife crime in Greater Manchester is worse than originally thought, after the discovery of blades hidden in walls as well as statistical errors in Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP) database. Speaking to Manchester Evening News, GMP revealed that the issue developed from the way in which weapons were logged into their system, leading to a ‘technical issue’. GMP stated that, due to these inconsistencies, a problem of ‘undercounting’
had evolved. The issue has affected figures collected before December 2017, but the true extent of the error is currently unknown. The Home Office had advised GMP to ignore rectifying the data and, instead, start fresh, due to the amount of time it would take to correct. 3,596 incidents have been reported in the past 12 months leading up to February 2019, meaning that GMP have been handling an average of ten incidents a day. Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) Wasim Chaudhry acknowledged the fact that GMP had falsely documented information, but
offered reassurance that action was being taken to rectify their mistakes: “As of December 2017, we revised how we record knife crime offences and are now confident that we are now recording all crimes correctly. “We are however confident that we understand the scale of the knife crime issue in Greater Manchester, but intend to carry out more analytical work in the coming months to further tackle to issues at their root cause.” A BBC article also reported that GMP were reaching out to their followers on social media as part of Operation Scepter, a national week of action against knife crime.
GMP shared pictures of unsuspicious public places, asking followers to “spot the knife” in the image. The campaign has been created after police intelligence has uncovered how criminals have been hiding weapons in easily reachable spaces, creating danger to members of the public. Rob Potts commented on the issue, voicing the aims of GMP: “The more knives that are on the streets only leads to one outcome - more people getting hurt - and we are determined to act to stop these implements getting into the wrong hands.”
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Photo: Thomas Good @ Wikimedia COmmons
Students go on school strike for climate change
Students across the country skipped a day of school this Friday to protest lack of government action to mitigate climate change Poornima Geemon and Laura Finn News Reporters Youth 4 Climate Change Strike: UK students took to the streets on March 15th to protest climate change. Students from across the UK took a day off school this Friday to march in protest of climate change. Following the action taken in February by 15,000 students from across the UK, the Youth Strike 4 Climate change aims to pressure government to take immediate action on climate change. With a predicted 64 UK towns and cities having taken part, the influence of Greta Thunberg, a 16 year old climate activist in Sweden appears to be widespread, seeing to both school and university students getting involved. Thunberg’s influence is not just confined to the UK with plans for further demonstrations worldwide to campaign for action against climate change. In conversation with the Evening
Standard, young activists have discussed the “alarming lack of leadership on climate change” by the government in previous years. Succeeding the UN Report published in 2018 which claimed there were only 12 years left to prevent the disasters of climate change including severe flooding and heatwaves, students have released a steadfast letter stating: “We are going to change the fate of humanity, whether you like it or not.” Noga Levy-Rapoport, a 17-year-old student from Hammersmith in speaking to Future London pointed to the need for solidarity and signalling urgency to government with regards to climate change. She stated “This is important in terms of a show of solidarity and sending a signal. We are here to make our voices heard and we are not going to stop until you listen to us” Students are calling for the UK government to put in place a plan reflective of the Green New Deal as suggested by Ocasio-Cortez in the US as a means of combatting air pollution and global warming.
Burnham calls on government to sustain funding for cycling and walking
A student from Truro, Rosie SmartKnight has highlighted further the sense of urgency among young people concerning climate change: “There were so many young children there (in February) who understood what was going on. It was quite heart breaking how many understood what was at stake” . Many education leaders, including Education Secretary, Damian Hinds, have warned students they should not miss lessons to take part in the strikes. Those against the protest include Theresa May who claims “they [students] are wasting lesson time.” Despite this, parents are strongly supporting this protest. Climate Change Minister, Claire Perry, said that she would have been tempted to join the strike if she was a school child. The strike takes place less than a fortnight before Greater Manchester’s Mayor, Andy Burnham, holds a summit to mobilise the city region around a carbon neutrality target of 2038 - which some strikers feel is inadequate.
Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has called on the government to provide a ‘sustained funding stream’ for cycling and walking during an evidence session with the Transport Select Committee in Manchester. Alongside Olympic cycling champion, Chris Boardman, who also serves as Manchester’s Cycling and Walker Commissioner, the mayor said that cycling and walking to be a given a similar status by the government as the investment in roads. Asking for cycling and walking to be given the same status by the Department for Transport as roads investment, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “Successive Governments have treated
cycling and walking as an afterthought. This cannot continue at a time when we’ve got congested roads, polluted air and high levels of physical inactivity. “Greater Manchester made the bold decision to spend £160 million on cycling and walking to kick-start our plans for the UK’s largest cycling and walking network. There is a huge appetite to deliver these plans but we now need Government to show the same ambition and put in place a consistent national funding stream for cycling and walking.” Currently, around 1% of the Department for Transport’s budget is allocated to cycling and walking. In June last year, Greater Manchester unveiled a £28m cycling network, called ‘Beeline’ routes. Many students at the University of Manchester use the cycle lanes separated from the motor traffic to get to university, although there have
“Yes, if it can help people with medical conditions suffer less pain, all while causing little to no negative side effects, then there is no reason for it to be illegal.” Madeleine Lynch, Fourth Year Politics and German
“Patients often suffer horrific pain and if it helps for them to ease this pain, which it arguably does, I see no reason for this to be illegal.” Nikola Matuskova, Fourth Year French and Business Management
Photo by David Edgar @Wikimedia Commons
Currently, around 1% of the Department for Transport’s budget is allocated to cycling and walking Josh Sandiford Breaking News Reporter
Should medical cannabis be legalised?
been reports of students being cut off by buses that have overtaken them and proceeded to stop to pick up passengers. The Mayor and the Commissioner also told the Committee that there should be a government requirement that, where possible, cycling and walking infrastructure is included as part of any new transport infrastructure, such as the building of new roads or junctions. Chris Boardman said: “This isn’t about people riding bikes, it’s about creating healthier, better places to live, more economically-robust areas, revitalising town centres, and giving people a real and attractive alternative to driving. By the government’s own calculations, money invested in enabling people to cycle and walk is the most efficient transport spend that a nation can make. I just don’t understand why the penny hasn’t dropped yet.”
“Medical cannabis has been proven to help people who have terminal illnesses, allowing them to sleep and releive their pain symptoms. CBD oil used for these purposes is also not psychoactive, therefore people probably shouldn’t be allowed to smoke it but should be grantedaccess to this on prescription. There’s also a lot of negative stigma surrounding cannabis because it is an illegal drug so people automatically think its really bad for you, when studies have proven differently. If modern anaesthetics come from cocaine and pain releif drugs come from heroin, why can’t a low class drug such as cannabis be more widely used for medication?” Alisha, a medical student
“Not only has medical cannabis been proven to relieve chronic pain but it can also help with other symptoms such as seizures, nausea, appetite loss and sleeploss. With so many positive benefits of legalising medical cannabis, it seems illogical that it remains so taboo.” Anja Samy, English Literature
Investigations 7
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Universities left struggling to cope with mental health epidemic
Students are suffering from mental health issues at previously unseen rates, Felix Hanif-Banks investigates the ineffectiveness of University response Felix Hanif-Banks Investigations Editor As the prevalence of mental health problems amongst students is at an all-time high with the number of students claiming a mental health related disability almost four-times as high as it was six years ago, universities across the country are being scrutinised for not adequately providing for those who require support the most. A Freedom of Information Act request sent to the University of Manchester can now reveal a breakdown of the University’s mental health spending over the last five years. The University has seen steady employment for its mental health staff, with minor additions coming in the 2017-18 academic year. The most visible Uni mental health service has seen minor improvement as an additional counsellor was hired, bringing the total number to 11 full-time staff. The breakdown of staff for other roles is somewhat more complicated, as members of staff in other roles are counted as a proportion of a full-time member of staff. Mental health nurses at the Uni rose from
0.8 full-time equivalent (fte) staff to 1.6, and the number of Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners rose from 2.25 to 3 fte. All other roles involved in mental health support have stayed at the same levels since 2013-14. As The Mancunion reported last week, students are suffering from mental health issues at previously unseen rates. Of the poll of 37,000 students, one in three said they had a “serious psychological issue that required professional help”, and almost half of students admitted to use of drugs or alcohol to deal with their mental health issues. In the face of such shocking statistics, this mental health epidemic surely demands a serious response from the University and other responsible parties. Andy Burnham’s recently released plans for new mental health services for students address some of these concerns, stating the city “needs to do more” given Manchester has the country’s largest student population. The scheme would mean streamlining the process for mental health appointments, and result in greater transparency in waiting times,
Fallowfield’s Toast Rack due for major renovation
which the University currently has no data on beyond “between no wait and six weeks at peak times.”
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Almost half of students admitted to use of drugs or alcohol to deal with their mental health issues Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and ViceChancellor of the University of Manchester, echoed her support for the scheme and the University’s role within it: “Mental health is one of the top issues that students tell us about and
we have invested significantly in services at The University Manchester and in this important new initiative.” “The next logical step is to share expertise and resources across the whole region, and create a model that will benefit thousands of people. I am very pleased that The University of Manchester will play an important role in this and I hope that it is an idea that can be used across the whole country.” Over the five academic years from 2013-14 to 2017-18, the number of students accessing 1:1 mental health sessions rose almost 20% from around 2,400 to around 2,800, and the number accessing groups or workshops relating to mental health rising from roughly 400 to roughly 700 (the University doesn’t hold exact numbers). During the same period, funding for mental health staff at the uni has risen a third to just over £1 million. Despite widespread reports from students of long wait times, there still seems to be at least some response from the University, both in funding and staff numbers, even if the latter has only seen minor, recent additions.
The South Manchester landmark has a new future in sight, but what will it’s new status as a residential building mean for the community? Claudia Hedger Contributor The renovation plans for Fallowfield’s famous Grade II listed building lovingly known as the ‘Toast Rack’ have been ground to a temporary halt due to asbestos removal throughout the building site. It was bought by a developer called Generation Ltd for £5 million in 2014 who secured planning permission some years later for 200 flats to be constructed – ranging from onebed to four-bed, plus a rooftop terrace, gym, and coffee shop. Generation Ltd have said the build is successful so far, and the launch of The Gym on the site has been better than expected, with it being one of their busiest gyms in the country.
Vector art: Kizzy Bray @ The Mancunion
In light of asbestos delaying construction, Generation Ltd. have stated they expect construction to restart later this year Generation signed a 15-year lease with the Gym Group last April which now occupies the central ‘drum’ building. There will also be retail and commercial units including co-working space for residents and the public to use. However, these plans have been met by opposition from members of the community. Their main argument against the development centres around the lack of car parking space on the premises, which they claim this would lead to further congestion. The council disagreed, however, taking into account the nearby public transport facilities and
the estimated 60% provision for car parking spaces for future residents. As with any renovation proposals for listed buildings, many also brought up issues with maintaining the heritage of the site. The site has been vacant for many years and has suffered from a lack of maintenance, shown by reports of concrete falling from the building. This has led to the council concluding that this investment will ensure that the site is preserved for the future. Approval of residential building on previously vacant sites such as this helps central Manchester to reach its target of providing 14% of new residential development. Despite this target, there has been much criticism of developments in Manchester, as
none of the recent housing has been classified as ‘affordable’. It is clear that with almost 13,000 people on the waiting list for social housing in Manchester during 2018, there is a huge demand for new developments such as this to be affordable. Although developments of more than 15 units are required to provide an element of social housing, it can be avoided if the developers can demonstrate incorporating such a provision would threaten the viability and deliverability of the scheme. This was shown to be the case for the Toast Rack developments, meaning they are under no obligation to provide social housing as part of this development.
8 Science & Tech
ISSUE 20 / 18th March 2019 WWW.MANCUNION.COM
Awe-inspiring women in science and technology
In the wake of International Women’s Day, The Mancunion takes time to recognise the outstanding contributions female scientists have made Megan Robinson Contributor International Women’s Day was celebrated on 8th March and with it, a sense of universal female empowerment swept around the globe like an unstoppable tidal wave. Events and campaigns were held worldwide to showcase the progress made for gender equality and to raise awareness for the issues women still face. There have been many truly inspirational women throughout history who went against the expectations and norms of their day. Particularly in the male-dominated STEM sector, there is an abundance of awe-inspiring stories of brilliant female scientists, engineers, and mathematicians that need to be celebrated. One such woman is Chien-Shiung Wu: a Chinese-American physicist famed for her pioneering work in nuclear physics. She’s often referred to as the ‘First Lady of Physics’ or the ‘Queen of Nuclear Research,’ and it’s not hard to see why. She was enlisted by male colleagues, Tsung-Dao Lee and Chen Ning Yang, to devise an experiment to challenge the hypothetical theory of parity conservation. ‘The Wu Experiment’ successfully indicated parity violation, which resulted in huge implications for the standard model. Yang and Lee received a Nobel prize for this achievement in 1957, but Wu was excluded from the award. Her recognition came late in 1978, winning the Wolf Prize in Physics. She was awarded the Bonner Prize and National Medal of Science in her career,
and even became the first female president of the American Physical Society in 1975. If all that wasn’t enough, she wrote a highly regarded textbook called, ‘Beta Decay’ that is still very relevant for students today. Wu was inducted posthumously into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 1998. On the subject of incredible women in STEM, in this day and age, any pursuits in science and technology are heavily reliant on computers and programming. Whilst many may know that Alan Turing built the first computer, fewer may have heard of Ada Lovelace (possibly the world’s first computer programmer). Inspired as a young woman by her friend Mary Somerville, another amazing female mathematician, Ada Lovelace soaked up books and enthusiastically attended lectures on the subject. She became interested in Charles Babbage’s idea to develop an ‘analytical engine,’ which could be programmed to perform calculations and would have a memory unit to store numbers. The machine was not completed in Babbage’s lifetime, but Lovelace had written a program that, theoretically, the machine could have used. Her genius has been recognised in more recent times. For example, the United States Department of Defence uses a computer language named ‘Ada’ after her and, since 2009, Ada Lovelace Day is celebrated every October. A little closer to home, the University of Manchester’s very own Professor Sue Kimber
Photo: Smithsonian Institution @ Wikimedia Commons
was awarded scientific heirlooms at the fourth Engineering & Physical Sciences Suffrage Science Awards on International Women’s Day this year. Professor Kimber is a leading biologist, mainly studying human embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, and the extracellular matrix. Chosen by previous award holders, Kimber’s scientific achievements and ability to inspire her students were highlighted. She received an item of jewellery inspired by the Suffrage movement, the colours green and purple were aptly chosen. The heirlooms will be passed onto the next award winners, who
Baryons, beakers, and Brexit
Professor Kimber will help to decide, and surely she will be spoilt for choice. From probing stem cells to uncovering the secrets of fundamental particles, this article has only briefly highlighted some key women representatives of the STEM sector, past and present. There are countless others whose achievements need equally be celebrated. This is all the more important as only 22% of STEM occupations were held by women in 2018. With the annual celebration of International Women’s Day, let’s make sure everyone knows that women have a just as significant role and capability in science and technology as their male counterparts.
EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations @ Flickr
Brexit is plagued with uncertainty, and the faster we’re moving towards it, the less we know about the UK’s position as a science powerhouse Jacklin Kwan Science Editor Research and science have always relied on thin surfaces on governmental goodwill. A slash to funding, or a reduction in access to resources and labour, could be devastating for years of innovation and an entire generation of aspiring young scientists. Brexit, as the majority of the UK’s academic community agrees, will likely cost the UK invaluable brain power, research funding, and global competitiveness. Currently, the UK is a net beneficiary in science. The country disproportionately receives EU grants and structural funding, receiving a net income of £2.9 billion from 2007-2013. In 2013, researchers based in UK institutions received 1000 more grants than any other EU member state. Note that a lot of expensive research infrastructure also heavily relies on structural investment fund. The National Graphene Institute received £23 million in funding, and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Unit received £38 million. The University of Manchester, specifically, also has two major research programmes funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme: the human brain supercomputer project and the development of graphene. If the UK exits the EU, it is no longer entitled to such funds, and its access to research grants is highly uncertain. Unlike most developed countries,
the UK actually lags behind in research intensity. In 2015, only 1.63% of the UK’s GDP was dedicated to research (compared to the EU average of 2.02%). Two-thirds of that funding was sourced from the country’s businesses. This is where things get even more dicey. Continued private R&D is highly subject to the UK’s continued competitiveness as a research destination, dependent on factors such as access to a talented labour pool and a dense web of universities, other businesses, and government institutions to create a thriving ecosystem for innovation. It is this concentrated network that made Manchester such an attractive location for private enterprise. Insecurity in Britain’s economic competitiveness has already caused a fall in business investment by 2.2%. Whether medium-to-high technology industries continue to find cities like Manchester attractive when compared to other destinations is questionable, especially when the differing laws and regulations governing research may mean their products can never access the continental market without significant delay. The EU, after all, has strict policies that govern market access. Leaving the single market may mean that the UK has to renegotiate every treaty that concerns patent protection, product standards, and potential tariff barriers to high-tech trade. And it’s not like the UK can depend on its home-grown industries to
carry it through the storm. Dyson, a British manufacturer, has already announced that it will relocate its headquarters to Singapore after Singapore concluded a free trade agreement with the EU. Since the UK will have to comply to many of the EU regulations regarding research and trade anyway, the only comparative is that the UK loses a say in what those regulations are. This has profound implications on the future challenges that face sectors such as agriculture, environmental sustainability, data security, and pharmaceuticals. Along with facilitating trans-national business investment and flexibility, the EU also helps facilitate cutting-edge blue skies research. Some of the most exciting research in the entire world is explicitly tied to EU-affiliated organisations such as Euratom’s ITER project. In 2017, Theresa May announced the UK’s intention to withdraw from the European Atomic Energy Community. This could mean that the country’s supply of nuclear materials may be jeopardised, along with its high participation in research. Other independent research communities that are supported by the EU, such as CERN or the European Space Agency, may be similarly affected. After all, international science collaboration relies on a dynamic exchange of information and talent. This has perhaps been the most highlighted impact of Brexit. EU
academics make up 17% of university teaching and research posts in the UK. Though both the EU and the UK have reassured that EU nationals currently in the UK will be secure, it’s not clear whether Britain will continue to pull in the best brains in Europe to help power its faculties.
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The UK’s strength relied on it being team player Experts say to negotiate from a position of strength. However, the overwhelming consensus seems to be that the UK’s strength relied on it being team player. The chips are not in Brexit’s favour. Toby James, a 3rd Year Physics student at the University, says, “The EU is the biscuit base to the cheesecake of European science. It is one of the world’s key facilitators of science by offering grants and crucially allowing freedom of movement, enabling scientists to work on projects across the continent, and Brexit will be (not might be) disastrous for science in the UK.”
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The impact of Reclaim the Night Rebecca Rommen examines the impact of this year’s Reclaim the Night march, with around 3,500 people taking part, and how it successfully shines a light on the topic of night-time safety Rebecca Rommen Contributor Reclaim the Night 2019 took place on Thursday 21st February. Women and men alike took to the streets brandishing banners and chanting “Whose streets? Our streets!” in unison. The annual march is run by the University of Manchester’s Students’ Union to campaign for public safety and protest violence against women. The campaign condemns street harassment, sexual assault, and victim blaming. This year’s campaign aimed to increase and improve lighting in populous student neighbourhoods such as Fallowfield and Rusholme, as well as increase awareness of ways through which people can report incidents of sexual assault and harassment. It also urged people to lobby the Manchester City Council to expand funding for local services and reverse budget cuts to women’s shelters. These aims were publicised via social media campaigns, petitions, and posters adorning campus. An estimated 3,500 people are said to have marched from Owens Park to the Students’ Union. Owens Park’s Students’ Association’s president, Caroline Baigrie, shared on behalf of halls committees that “although the Reclaim the Night March happens once a year, it is important to always remember Reclaim the Night’s purpose, calling for greater measures to be taken in Manchester to keep us safe at night, whether by greater police presence or better-lit streets. Residents deserve to feel safe and student represent-
atives should improve this by making structures more known such as the Manchester SU Safe Taxi Scheme.” This scheme enables students to call a taxi if they’ve run out of money and pay for it the following day. On how Reclaim the Night has impacted her personally and the wider community, Baigrie added that it brings attention to the topic of safety at night in Manchester: “something that everyone is conscious of all year round.” Inspired, she noted the campaign’s success in encouraging people to demand to be kept safe. “There is a clear angle of Reclaim the Night towards women’s safety, and despite the campaign being relevant to all, it makes clear that at the centre of the issue of safety at night is female safety and victimisation of women, whether sexually or just being made to feel uncomfortable.” Teodóra Gombos, first-year History & Economics student, felt encouraged after the march and spoke of the inspiration amassed by rallying as a community. “I felt empowered marching alongside thousands of other people who support each other. That in itself can create an impact – we all have different experiences and backgrounds, but we all want to feel safer on the streets and lift each other up.” Knowing you’re not alone is a good place to start when fighting for change. An anonymous post on Facebook, which has garnered over 400 likes, had someone stating that Reclaim the Night gave them hope for women like themselves who have been subjected to sexual harassment and assault, in Man-
Photo: Hawwa Alam
chester and elsewhere. “None of my friends that marched with me know that I am a victim of severe sexual assault but coming out today seeing everyone in support of safer streets in Manchester gave me the power to not give a fuck, live in my truth, and empower others. Thank you so much to Sara Heddi, the fab organisers, stewards, volunteers, and everyone who showed up. We RECLAIMED THE NIGHT and will continue to do so. Mark our words.” The unidentified then shared a link to the petition lobbying the City Council. The anonymity of the post highlights the ubiquity of women’s experiences tackling sexual harassment and assault. Although every individual has a unique story, the movement reflects the greater shared adversity of womanhood, much like how the #MeToo movement demonstrated the widespread prevalence of sexual harassment and assault. The Mancunion reached out to Manchester City Council to find out how local authorities feel about Reclaim the Night and how they are tackling the ongoing problem of violence against women. Councillor Nigel Murphy, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said that the safety of Manchester residents is of paramount importance to City Council and that they want to “reassure the public that this city is a safe place to
work, study and visit.” He expressed that: “it is unacceptable that anyone should be the victim of crime and our advice first and foremost would be to always call the police if you or someone you know is the victim of a crime. Manchester City Council works closely with Greater Manchester Police, the Universities, and other partners to address student safety across the city.” The Council wished to clarify that although one of the objectives listed by the 2019 Reclaim the Night campaign was to: “lobby the council to stop cuts to Women’s Shelters”; provision for women’s refuges has remained unchanged since 2014 — there are still six centres open in Greater Manchester, despite the fact that Manchester City Council has faced more than £300m in government cuts since 2010. The councillor was aware of Reclaim the Night’s mission to create a more secure infrastructure and affirmed that street lighting in student areas meets the national standards in terms of brightness and coverage but that the Council is “always open to discussing with students where and how [they] can improve.” Councillor Murphy concluded by saying that the Council would continue to work closely with their partners in GMP as well as the charity and voluntary sector to support any and all victims and work with communities to deliver effective support services.
Emilia Jenkins on Women’s support: ‘A reminder that people care’ Cachella Smith talks with part-time Women’s Officer Emilia Jenkins about the projects she’s been involved with over the past year; even though each project is different, they all have the aim of helping women. Cachella Smith Deputy Opinion Editor Emilia Jenkins, the Student Union’s part-time women’s officer, sat across from me in Starbucks last week as we discussed all things gender, female, support, and education. Having actively advocated and been involved with women’s causes, Emilia, since her election last October, has balanced being a mouthpiece for women on campus, and all those who identify as such — alongside her final year studies. We begin of course with Reclaim the Night. After all, when discussing support for women and the challenges women face, what better way to open up the conversation than with Sara Heddi’s recent outstanding continuation of the march that annually sweeps women along in support, all the way down Oxford Road. It was at Reclaim the Night, an event that occurs all around the country, that I met Emilia chanting, shouting, and cheering for the very cause she has been so actively promoting all year. A key aim for Emilia and at the centre of all her work is improving support for women having fallen victim to sexual assault. She explains to me that the very importance of the march is centred around the fact that people just “do not realise how endemic the problem is.” She believes there to have been an increase in publicity for the event this year, and that its very essence is “a demonstration of the level of the problem.”
It is “not just a march but a gathering of people,” for all to see and recognise. Often in this situation, she explains, women feel “alone” like they are the only one in that situation. This makes it difficult for them to come to terms with their assault. Such a protest and demonstration really showcases the level of support and can be a source of encouragement for those who are struggling to ask for help and “open up conversations.” Not only has Emilia participated in long-standing traditions promoting the support and safety of women, but she has actively founded four separate projects primarily focused upon the cause that she is so passionate about, support following sexual assault. The first project Emilia tells me about is Survivors Unite a student-led support group that organises weekly Wednesday sessions at varying locations on campus. The sessions are designed as a safe space both for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence regardless of gender or age. Each session mixes support and community with, of course, nice food and reassuring company. The location for the sessions changes on a weekly basis in order to protect the safety of the participants. To find out the location, email survivorsunite@ yahoo.com. Second on Emilia’s list is a website she set up NOW.US (Network of Officers for Women across Unions of Students), a website that works as a database containing the details of all of the women and gender officers around the UK, organised by
region. Its purpose is to provide women across the country with the contact details of the women’s officers at their University, should they need support and or advice. It is also a way for the officers themselves to keep in touch and to share ideas. When researching for the network, Emilia tells me “I have come across so many gender officers, and I think it would be nice that at Manchester instead of having two part-time women’s officers, if we had a part-time women’s officer and a part-time gender officer.” A gender officer might deal specifically with the communication, an “intermediary” between the transgender officers and the women’s officer, she suggests. The HOPE project, which she terms “an education initiative,” is one that she is hoping to pass through the next Student Union Senate. At the minute it is approved by the University, if successful at the Senate, it would be “first joint initiative for this particular issue.” Its role is to provide information for those regarding what steps to take following an assault. She explains that the most common advice given, including by the University itself, is to speak with the people concerned and attempt to sort through things informally. For Emilia, however, she does not believe that this is always the best course of action. Her final project is a survey she is currently working on. Its aim is to assess the level of support provided by the University regarding sexual assault cases in an attempt to identify areas that could be improved or considered more closely.
After having passionately spoken about her four projects, four projects that she has got off the ground herself and worked to sustain, I walked away confident in the message that Emilia gave me at the start. I was well and truly reminded that people care.
Photo: Emilia Jenkins
ISSUE 20 / 18th March 2019 WWW.MANCUNION.COM
10 Opinion
Rethinking modern communication
Photo: Alex E. Proimos @ Wikimedia Commons
Lily Rosenberg suggests that we need to re-think the way we use technology to keep in contact with one another Lily Rosenberg Contributor I’ve been told by my parents, my advisors, and especially my lecturers to check my emails religiously. My inbox usually consists of spam, New York Times daily briefings, and relentless retirement emails - which makes me curious about how mailing lists are put together, and why I’m on them. I delete all of these. The only emails I keep after reading are those from my high-school friend Annie, a medical student in Boston who loves Rocky Horror, The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, as well as recalling specific bones of the body among an array of things. Every Friday, Annie emails out a newsletter named “throwing this into the abyss” to a handful of friends and family around the world. The newsletters cover all aspects of her life - her
newest mantra, the latest song she’s listening to, or an overview of her past week. They are eloquently written, filled with brilliant content, and can make me laugh and cry. These updates are almost like getting a quick coffee with Annie, despite people around the world reading alongside me. I may be biased but these emails give me a new outlook on connection in the modern era. Despite all the means of communication available to this generation, I feel very disconnected from the world. When I had social media, I felt dejected every time I left the app, criticising myself for my internal comparison to everyone’s lives. Why does this happen? And, am I alone in experiencing this feeling? When I asked Annie why she started, she simply explained that the newsletters were a “good way to collect my thoughts and stay in touch with my friends across the world.” Yet
surely this is exactly the role of social media as well? In my opinion, the difference is that when I read the newsletter I recognise how much time she has dedicated to it. I feel the thought put in, the energy, the pauses in her writing equivalent to how she would pause during a conversation over a cup of coffee. When I scroll through Instagram, the genuine nature of the content is gone. After years on social media, my awareness of the addictive qualities of scrolling and tapping through content has since become noticeable for me. Almost like finally finding out that sugar itself has the potential to be as addictive as cocaine. This is something that so many students experience, and yet we do nothing to combat it. When I went home for Christmas my social media sessions negatively affected my mood
to the extent that I removed the apps off my phone for the year. An activity that has since changed my friendships and relationships with people. I now put time and thought into my relationships - just like Annie with her newsletters. To me, and hopefully to others, FaceTime and phone-calls are still instrumental to how anyone keeps touch. However for me now, the important thing is to reinvent the way we use these new technologies that we have. I’m not suggesting that everyone starts writing newsletters because, let’s be honest, no one has the time to read about everyone’s lives. I am not even proposing people leave social media, I am talking about looking at the means of connection in new ways. Instead of emails from mailing lists, perhaps it would be nicer to have an inbox filled with messages from friends.
Tallulah Brennan Contributor
placed first. It is the post-colonial attitude that ‘whiteness’ and, more importantly, ‘Englishness’ makes us more deserving of being first in the queue that made race such a dividing line in the referendum. For the likes of Farage and Johnson, it is simpler to direct blame at migrants and refugees, rather than a broken economic model. As it stands, the non-English speaking pose a threat to the intrinsic privileges that whiteness once guaranteed. Through the image of Nigel Farage standing in front of a poster of non-white refugees and migrants with the slogan ‘Take Back Control’, the Leave campaign enabled the colonial positioning of Brexit. The rise in hate crime and a louder far-right presence in Westminster also serve as reminders that imperial nostalgia is ever-present. Having to turn to India and Africa for new trade deals, Britain should use this time to reconcile with its colonial past. Instead, post-Brexit policy will consist of strengthening ties with Commonwealth States, with Liam Fox intending to brand the strategy as ‘Empire 2.0’.
The decision to trigger Article 50 without a set plan for the Northern Irish border reveals how the Conservatives seem stuck in the Winston Churchill attitude that “We have always found the Irish a bit odd. They refuse to be English.” In a recent debate, a Conservative MP told an SNP MP to “Go back to the Isle of Skye”. As you may know, Scotland voted to remain in the EU, with a percentage of 62%, and as Ian Blackford remarked, the Scottish people hear this attitude loud and clear. Forgetting the commitment, it has to the Union, the Conservative party is in danger of severing the ties that are so intrinsic to our advancement. Additionally, it would seem that there is no sign of reconciling with the colonial crimes for which we are responsible. According to EU negotiators, May “does not live on planet Mars but rather in a galaxy very far away”. Brexit has revealed that Britain is determined not only to conserve but live its imperial image. However, as the saying goes, pride always comes before a fall.
Putting the “Great” back in Great Britain? Tallulah Brennan argues that the racist rhetoric of the Brexit vote was motivated by the imperial nostalgia of the Baby Boomer generation
Celebrating a Leave campaign victory on the 24th June 2016, the front page of The Sun read “Independence Day, Britain’s Resurgence”. The Daily Telegraph read “The Empire Strikes Back”. This ‘post-colonial melancholia’ as Paul Gilroy puts it, has not been fuelled by the farright alone. In January 2017, Boris Johnson began to recite the colonial era poetry of Rudyard Kipling in one of Myanmar’s sacred Buddhist temple. Theresa May spoke of the EU ‘queue jumpers’ in one speech, while Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour party made a promise to end free movement in the 2017 manifesto. A popular argument amongst Baby Boomers is that if Britain managed to win a World War, then leaving the EU will be a walk in the park. Apparently the term ‘Allies’ has been lost on them. For the ‘left behind’ leave voters, who are frankly, tired of feeling they are last in the queue, Brexit equates to a return to the golden age of empire and to British interests being
Opinion 11
ISSUE 20 / 18th March 2019 WWW.MANCUNION.COM Photo: Tobias Soar @ The Mancunion
The Mancunion’s view on the SU election
In a special editorial, Editor-in-Chief Ethan Davies argues that whilst students are still angry over the latest elections controversy, they should head to Senate to make their voice heard Ethan Davies Editor-in-Chief It’s fair to call the latest Students’ Union (SU) exec officer elections... controversial. For the sake of simplicity, I’ll stick to facts. Every year, the SU holds elections for the eight exec roles, who are the officers that run the Union. They are mandated to do so by law. This year, four candidates who ran on a joint slate were banned from campaigning in-person due to complaints received by the SU over campaigning tactics, some of which were shared on social media. The ban was handed down by the returning officer, who is supplied by the NUS – that means the decision to not disqualify those candidates, which some students have called for, is out of the hands of the SU.
At the time of writing, two of those four candidates – Kwame Kwarteng and Rana Phool – won their elections to become SU exec officers for 2019/20. Anas Riaz lost to incumbent Officer Lizzy Haughton, and due to the unprecedented number of complaints about “more than one” candidate in the International Students’ Officer position, the decision was made to delay declaring the winner until 20th March. On top of that, voter turnout fell by 0.4% from 2018. That means only 19.4% of students voted in 2019 – 7,771 to be exact. Banned candidates winning, others under investigation, and student voters falling. It’s not a pretty picture. So, what can the student population do? Well, the good news is that the SU is incredibly well set-up to listen to student feedback through student Senate, held three times per semester. There are two Senate sessions left this
academic year, and the next one on 28th March has seen two motions proposed to effectively bar Kwame Kwarteng and Rana Phool from entering office. The Mancunion is politically independent – so I won’t be using this platform to pass any judgement on what decision should be taken over Kwarteng and Phool. I will use this platform, however, to encourage every student to attend March’s Senate. And the Senate after. And the Senate after that. In previous years, Mancunion elections headlines have read along the lines of ‘Voter turnout still below 20 per cent in Exec elections’, which was met by the very apathy that created it. This year, our headline read ‘Banned candidates win SU elections’, which was met by the very anger that created it. Manchester now has a hugely unique opportunity in student politics: a wide student body which cares. That’s not to say there
has never been a student who’s cared about their politics, it’s to say that these elections have multiplied the number of students who care. I, as the Editor-in-Chief of The Mancunion now call on you to go to Senate. Express your satisfaction or dissatisfaction at the elections. Do the same thing for the whole of the SU and University. Rolling your eyes at the introduction of jazz hands doesn’t change anything. Dismissing the SU as ‘shit’ for the latest elections debacle doesn’t change anything. Moaning to housemates about the food choices on campus doesn’t change anything. The Mancunion says this: It’s time to end the apathy. The next student Senate meeting is on 28th March at 6pm in the SU Theatre. The final Senate meeting of 2018/19 is on 9th March. You can view the previous meetings’ minutes and upcoming agenda on the SU website.
Photo: Enrique Dans @ Wikimedia Commons
Weaving a less tangled Web Following the 30th anniversary of the World Wide Web, Sophie Marriott looks at how it has been used and abused, and what the legacy of its creator, Tim Berners-Lee is Sophie Marriott Head Opinion Editor “I worry about someone taking over the web” said Tim Berners-Lee during an interview at Davos this year. The founder of the World Wide Web, which turned 30 last week, has claimed at times he is “devastated” at the uses and abuses of his creation. Undoubtedly one of the greatest inventions, but will the internet also be our downfall? A tool for self-interested parties to manipulate the very people it was refined to serve. There is so much criticism of the effects of the internet. With worries regarding how social media impacts mental health and our addiction to our laptops and phones, that it can be hard to think positively about it at all. On its 30th anniversary, however, the creator of this Promethean spiderweb has some words of encouragement. In his annual open letter, Berners-Lee has reminded us what the humble begin-
nings of the World Wide Web mean for its future. “If we give up on building a better Web now, then the Web will not have failed us. We will have failed the Web.” ‘Information Management: A Proposal’ may not sound like much, but from these humble beginnings came Facebook, Wikipedia, and even your favourite weekly paper The Mancunion. Initially conceived of as a way to share information between different servers at the CERN project, it is now almost impossible for our generation in the ‘connected world’ to imagine a world without the internet. Would we actually have to traverse hallways in order to get information stored in another room? Or would mental images of the faces of our distant friends blur without annual profile-pic changes to keep our memories updated? Berners-Lee has spoken out against the rise of online crime, state-sponsored hacking, and so-called ‘fake news’, lamenting how the Web has
given a voice to hate. However, he is not resigned to the evil of the ‘net as some lazy social commentators have done.
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Undoubtedly one of the greatest inventions, but will the internet also be our downfall? Anything designed with the best intentions in mind runs the risk of morphing into something else. Even the humblest among us know what it feels like to see something we have loved and nurtured escape our ideas for its future. Even if
it’s just an essay we wanted to start a fortnight before the deadline, only to watch the days slip by a blank word document. The Web, however, is not a thing, in the same way an essay is, or the telephone, or a gun. It cannot be entirely appropriated by anyone, hateful or hopeful. It is a place, an infinitely incredible space, and it cannot be owned. The World Wide Web was nearly called ‘The Information Mine’, although this appeals to my sense of pun much more, to me ‘Web’ is far more accurate. It is not a finite pit, but is created by the people who use it, so we who all use the internet all of the time, for everything, have a say in what it becomes. There is just as much good and bad online; our instant access to news keeps us up to date with a rapidly changing world. If the content of the notifications are getting too depressing, perhaps we should focus on making some better stories to be delivered with a “ping!”.
12 Societies
ISSUE 20 / 18th March 2019 WWW.MANCUNION.COM
Photo: Chloe Hatton
Eating hummus with Ethan
Chloe Hatton talks to Ethan Davies about his time as Editor-in-Chief of the largest student newspaper in the UK Chloe Hatton Societies Editor This is it: It’s the final issue. As such, we thought we’d save the best until last – we’ve brought you an exclusive interview with Ethan Davies, Editor-in-Chief of The Mancunion and Head of the Manchester Media Group (MMG). From humble origins in Hull, he’s climbed to the dizzying heights of being (technically) my boss. He’s also an integral part of the Women in Media team – not just Venue Liaison – meaning he does a lot of the stuff that involves the SU’s endless minefield of rules and procedures. “It’s a lot of basic admin, which is fun.” However, his biggest responsibility is producing The Mancunion , from September until this, the final March issue. He estimates it takes up a whole four-fifths of his time, from sorting out any legal problems the paper might encounter to making sure all us section editors actually have stories for the week. He also spends his Thursdays and Fridays sub-editing and publishing articles, alongside helping to design the paper itself, before it all gets checked over to make sure there aren’t any mistakes. When I ask his if he’s enjoyed this year, he takes a moment to think — and crucially eat his hummus. “Was it playtime? No. But I have enjoyed this year. It’s been very testing at times, which I knew it would be [when I started]. For one, I can now budget for hummus. Two, the paper’s done really well and I’m really pleased with everyone because they’ve all pitched in. “Myself and Amy, who’s our wonderful Deputy Editor, said we wanted to make it the best student newspaper in the country [when we started] and everyone seems to have gone
for it... the design team have been absolutely stellar.” Ethan’s introduced the culture section and photo essays this year, which he doesn’t think you’ll find in any other paper throughout the country. In addition, he’s also introduced the new marketing team, who have managed to grow The Mancunion ’s reach by about 900%. “I really don’t know how they’ve done it, it’s mad.” As mentioned, he has other duties, too. On the Fuse FM front, though they’ve faced challenges with equipment, Ethan believes they have faced up to them admirably. This year has really been all about getting everything ready and working for next year, he says. Fuse TV were given central funding during the refurbishment of the SU for new setups. “If I had my time again I’d probably try and be a bit more pushy to get that completed; it’s probably my biggest disappointment of the year. I’m glad it’s there though, because the committee has done a great job this year so, next year, the people coming in will know more about the opportunities available to them.” One of Ethan’s highlights of the year was the Women in Media Conference. If you didn’t go, you definitely missed out. It was a weekend full of workshops and talks from some incredible women in the media, and was a huge success. “I’m quite a panicky person and to see it actually work was pretty good.” “The Reclaim the Night issue was also another massive highlight. There was also a lot of controversy around one of the exec officers, but we decided to go for a positive outlook on it and support the event rather
than focusing on the controversy, in a way that a lot of national and regional newspapers wouldn’t have done.” The paper has already won two regional awards this year, and hopes to win more in the nationals in a few weeks’ time. The only people that beat the paper to awards were Durham’s Palatinate, who were named the Best UK Student Paper last year, so there’s certainly stern competition in the Northern region. As for why you should join MMG, “if you’re the kind of person who feels like they went out a lot in first year, stayed in a lot in second year, and now thinks it’s their last year and thinks they need to do something, you’re always welcome. It’s nice to have a different set of friends to your house or your course, and you’ll get loads of employable skills, like learning how to work in an actual office. “It’s not easy, because we want everyone to do as well as they can, but we have fun with it. We’re not cliquey, we just get on with it and try and make you a better journalist, presenter, or producer. Although the print run has finished for The Mancunion , Ethan still has months left in his role, so what does he envisage next? “The problem for the new team is that we’ve had such a great year, but you can’t always rely on having a story like ‘Clapgate’ to help get you there. You need to work out how you can keep people interested without a story that’s quite as dramatic as that one. “Fuse TV are going to do really well next year, especially with the new equipment putting them on an industry level, and the fact that their volunteer pool has gone up by four-times this year. “Fuse FM are quickly establishing themselves as a great events organisation,
which is re-defining what a radio station should be. It’s not just people playing their favourite records every week, it’s now a real cultural hub. “MMG’s challenge is making sure that other students care enough about them. “It’s kind of like if three years ago, if you’d worn Fila Disruptors around Fallowfield, you’d have looked stupid. But after the first person did wear them, they caught on. So yeah, we’re like that.” For Ethan personally, he’s looking forward to a break. He says that because he’s a June baby, he can afford to take some time off, which he will definitely be doing. “It’d be a mistake for me to dive straight into something else because I don’t really know what I want yet. I’m young; I’m free,” he gleams. When I ask him if he has anything to say to the world at large, he says he’d like to thank the readership for sticking with us all year, through the good times and the perhaps slightly less interesting times. “Let’s face it, journalism can sometimes be boring, so thank you to everyone for actually reading throughout the year.” “To the team, you’ve made this year as painless as possible, so thank you for that. “I feel like it’s really part of the student community and I’m really glad people care. We’re doing this [interview] just after the election controversy, but the only way issues in the uni can be changed is if you’re informed about them and you care enough to actually tell someone that you do care. “Read The Mancunion , listen to Fuse FM, and watch Fuse TV, because it’s your future on the line”. And on these poignant words, hummus finally finished, he leaves.
Here to dance, not to drink Ellie Martin argues that society socials should be more open to non-drinkers Ellie Martin Contributor
Drinking is often seen as one of the pillars of university culture. It’s such a huge part of uni life for some – I knew people who made their decision about which university to head to based on its nightlife reputation. And fair enough, you wouldn’t want to head to somewhere out in the sticks if you’re planning on raving every night. But there’s a large amount of students who head to uni with no plans to drink, who have to navigate new relationships without the common ground of drinking together. So the questions is: Are societies doing enough to make both drinkers and non-drinkers feel welcome at socials? Tee-total students who come to university are usually well prepared for situation where they may be the only one not drinking, and probably already have experience with staying sober on nights out. People decide not to drink for many different reasons; it may be cultural, religious, having had a bad experience with alcohol in the past, simply not enjoying the taste or the feeling, or
a whole host of other things. Many students choose to stop drinking for the sake of their mental health, as one Physics student told me: “It just takes me days to recover from a night out, drinking is fun at the time but my headspace is not a good place to be in the day after. [Drinking] stopped being worth the fun after a while, so now I enjoy my time with my friends with a coke, and it’s benefited my mental health greatly.” Another English Literature student said that “one of the worst things to happen on a night out when you’re not drinking is to be with someone who can’t just accept the fact that you’re not. You lose the whole night explaining yourself and justifying your reasons, which sometimes can be quite personal and not something you want to get into when you’ve come out for a good time. “I’ve been on nights out where someone has found out that I wasn’t drinking and then literally not left my side the entire night, constantly questioning me and trying to get me to drink. It’s not what I’ve come out for, I just want to dance with my friends!” One of the first things societies can do to
help include those who choose not to drink is just not make a big deal out of it. They’ve come out for just as good a night as everybody else, ready to cut some crazy moves on the dance floor, just without a drink in-hand. One of the best ways I’ve ever seen this done at a society social was at the Choir and Orchestra Society (CAOS) post end-of-year-concert party, where there is always the traditional ‘Boat Race’. In the Boat Race, teams compete to down four pints as fast as possible, with up to four members in each team. Without any prompting or questions asked, the committee announced the event, including acceptable non-alcoholic options for competitors, which were a pint of milk or tonic water (gross). There was no special announcement, no framing the options as ‘alternatives’, just these are what you have to drink to win. It was refreshing to see the sober options normalised rather than alienated as ‘alternate to the real thing’. Societies can incorporate things like this into drinking socials to give sober members a chance to participate without feeling alienated. Drinking games are great fun, and societies can add sober options to the game to include everyone.
These changes work well for students who don’t drink personally, but still enjoy a good night out. Others however choose to avoid being around alcohol or environments where a lot of heavy drinking is taking place all together. This can present problems when most, or all, of a society’s socials are based around drinking. A classic bar crawl is always a good night, but it doesn’t have to be the only social in your society’s roster. There are endless possibilities for good socials in non-alcoholic spaces, or socials that aren’t completely based on drinking. Everyone loves a good night at Dog Bowl, cinema trips, karaoke, ice skating, or even a good movie night for some smaller societies. Add a little creativity to your society’s social calendar and you’ll find that you have a much wider attendance from members, and some fun stories to tell other than “we were so wasted”. There’s loads that societies can be doing to include sober members, and making it not a big deal is the first step. If your society has a wide variety of socials, it will normalise a non-drinking lifestyle for students who choose to follow it, and make uni much more fun for everyone.
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CULTURE Photo: Emmanuel Anie-Akwetey
THE
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ISSUE 20 / 18th March 2019 WWW.MANCUNION.COM
Music Photo: A Pint With Bill, Indigo Withington 4/3/19
In Conversation with
Newton Faulkner With 12 years of success behind him, Newton Faulkner is back with his “Very Best Of...” album. Owen Trimming catches up with him ahead of his upcoming tour Photo: Bryan Ledgard @ Wikimedia commons
A Pint With Bill
Photo: Man Alive! @ Flickr
The future is bright for A Pint With Bill after their debut at Indigo, writes Tilda Gratton Photo: Newton Faulkner (press release)
Newton Faulkner Owen Trimming
9/10
Twelve years on from his debut album Hand Built By Humans we got a chance to catch up with Newton Faulkner ahead of his latest release. A more retrospective LP featuring The Best of... So Far in his career. In addition, fans have been treated to three new tracks as well as a selection of covers that often feature in his live shows. Faulkner felt that after his sixth album Hit the Ground Running he had reached “the end of that journey”, finding what he was searching for in his previous releases. The record was an admittance that “I have no idea what I’m doing” which lead to an acceptance of doing what he loves with his music. A suitable time it seems, to release a “best of” album. With over a decade of releases narrowing down a career to a single album is a daunting task. Understandably so then, when pressured to pick just one favoured track, Faulkner could go only so far as two. That pairing consisted of ‘There Is Still Time’ and ‘Up Up and Away’. The former as it sums up “pin drop moments” in his shows, each guitar string having full impact in the silence. With that in mind it’s disappointing to see that this track didn’t make the best of despite its clear importance to the artist. ‘Up Up and Away’ made the cut for very different reasons, representing the high production tracks that provide a more energetic experience. Faulkner certainly seems to have many to have many strings to his bow, proving proficient in many styles from folk rock to more mainstream pop. More unusually though he has also had roles in the musicals ‘American Idiot’ and ‘War Of The Worlds’. ‘American Idiot’ seems especially appropriate as his first ever band was indeed a Green Day cover group, who’s music provides the soundtrack to this show. Faulkner’s experience in these performances had him performing to “some of the biggest crowds he’s dealt with” which was something he relished. However, Faulkner commented
that these roles were simply “the right parts” for him and he is unlikely to make another appearance in another musical anytime soon. Rather he prefers being on stage as musician, where you can break the fourth wall with the audience to create a more casual atmosphere. Like many musicians, on the road is where Faulkner is in his element. His upcoming tour starts on the 26th of April, including a date in Manchester’s Albert Hall on May 4th. Faulkner teased that he will be using a new “duel set up” in these shows in order to recreate tracks solo that were recorded with a whole band. He commented that although the loop pedal has its place, he himself is much more a “one-man band” instead of “one of the loopy people”. Performing is his motivation for being in the business, stating that “Live is why I record”. Faulkner definitely seems keen to share new material in a live context. The ‘...So Far’ in his new album’s title implies more to come from Faulkner. The three new tracks are a hint of a fresh style with an eighth album “in the works” following his best of. ‘Don’t Leave Me Waiting’ is especially promising, a striking track that makes the most of Faulkner’s powerful vocals. The decision to include covers is questionable in a best of, however Faulkner’s stylings on these songs are an entraining listen. He aimed to make other artists tracks “sound as cool as possible” and is partially successful with this. Ultimately though there’s only so much merit in covering other artists work and you would expect more from such an experienced musician. The new album is out March 15th and is worth the purchase if you are a fan of Faulkner. It is a nostalgic experience and certainly enjoyable to re-listen to songs from across the years. Hits like ‘Dream Catch Me’ and ‘Write It On Your Skin’ have more than retained their charm. Beyond that you cannot expect much more. The covers and new tracks are a welcome bonus, but the album is limited to its nature of being a “best of”.
Formed out of the ashes of a society plagued by decadence and debauchery, pundits have likened the aesthetics of A Pint With Bill to the emotional sensitivity of Frank Ocean, as well as to the raucous spirit of Bakar and King Krule.
A Pint With Bill follows the life of a fictional student struggling with split personality disorder, with each song portraying a distinctly zany event that takes place as a result. One of the strongest points of A Pint With Bill is their ability to bring so many different emotional feelings to the listener through their eclectically diverse discography. This develops emotionally from sensitive lo-fi ballads such as ‘rain.’, to the gut-wrenchingly distorted anger of “umakemeblue”, all the way to the almost ironically cheerful poppiness of “lips closed shut” with each song showcasing a distinct event in the student’s life. The band truly shine the most when seen live, as this is when audiences can experience the wildly dynamic personalities of the two frontmen. This could be seen first-hand at their sold-out headline show at Indigo, which was only the beginning for the mysterious trio. Lead singer of the band, Sam Robins, describes his band as “Writing songs based around the lives of everyday students here at Manchester. And because life experiences are so diverse, our songs reflect that sometimes you’ll be floating like a butterfly, but also stinging like a bee.” A Pint With Bill are set to play a number of gigs soon, with the nearest one being a free gig in Fallowfield on the 22nd of March (details of which can be found on the bands Facebook).
Hot Right Now
ISSUE 20 / 18th March 2019 WWW.MANCUNION.COM
FOALS
Music
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Photo: Federickethow @Wikimedia Commons
Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost, Part 1
The first of Foals’ epic two-part project - Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost - is an exhilaratingly concise piece that leaves audiences eagerly awaiting the next instalment, writes Josh Sandy Foals Josh Sandy The start of an end of an era. That’s how to best summarise Cambridge-based quartet Foals’ latest release. Starting from their debut, 2008’s math-rock inspired Antidotes, Foals have taken listeners on a wild ride through the realms of synth pop, funk and even a brief flirtation with dance to land at the anthemic stadium rock of 2015’s What Went Down, and now feel like their time to bring everything together. Their album does just this, taking cues from their best experimentations and marrying them together with some new influences to create a career-defining collection of tracks. It expertly guides the listener through this treasure trove of eclectic influences, from the frenetic Antidotes-esque ‘White Onions’ to the funky Holy Fire-inspired ‘On The Luna’. However, despite these nostalgic call-backs, the album skilfully avoids becoming a glorified ‘Best-Of’ record using unexpected flairs and stylish genre-inverting transitions. The best example of this comes during the seemingly laidback and ambient ‘Sunday’ which, almost out of nowhere, descends into a ‘90s-esque trance mix. Similarly, the album’s final flourish, ‘I’m Done With The World (& It’s Done With
9/10
Me)’ provides another never-before-heard sound from Foals – piano-backed jazz. This level of experimentation, of course, wouldn’t be possible without the vocal talents of Yannis Philippakis, who is perhaps one of the most underrated polymath-like frontmen of this generation. Alongside the musical variety, thematically the album explores the expansive collective angst of the current younger generation about the state of the world. Tackling themes like climate change, mass surveillance, and the atrocious state of global politics, is certainly a bold move, but the record avoids preaching and allows the listener to draw their own conclusions from Philippakis’ often cryptic lyricism. These themes also allow for the album to invite the listener on a journey, with the tracks becoming bleaker, and the lyrics more cynical, as the album progresses, finishing with the genuinely heart-breaking ‘I’m Done With The World (& It’s Done With Me)’. This journey also allows the band to perfectly set up, as implied by its title, the al-
Record Reappraisal Brutalism by IDLES
bum’s companion piece, which is set to be released during the autumn. Of course, there will be naysayers who consider this a publicity stunt and the odd luddite lamenting the loss of the double album. However, this choice has led to the album existing as possibly the most perfect contradiction. A record which feels so utterly comprehensive, but still somehow achingly incomplete. Exemplifying this is the instrumental track ‘Surf Pt.1’ which, standing at a mere 45 seconds, is a dreamy interlude, but yearns for a conclusion. Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost (Part 1) is everything you’ve come to expect from a Foal’s a l bum - an unusual, exhilarating and thought-provoking experience and although it feels like the beginning of the close of this chapter, it makes you even more excited for the next one. Photo: Authorised Press Shot
This week’s record reappraisal offers a rather impassioned nod towards one of the industry’s most humble and thrilling acts, Idles, as their debut album Brutalism reaches its 2nd birthday Pioneering punk prodigy Idles have certainly caused quite the commotion in the music industry since the release of their impassioned landmark debut album Brutalism which reaches its 2nd birthday this March. This 13-track fervent anthology profusely secretes attitude, dissatisfaction, and frustration. Frustration at the government and society as well as showing clear attempts to deal with inner demons that continue to torment eccentric frontman, Joe Talbot. Brimmed with stirring riffs, armed with chest-pounding drum beats and embellished with Talbot’s soul-searching vocals, Brutalism is undoubtedly one of the greatest alternative albums of the 21stcentury. Kicking off Brutalism is one of the album’s most notable tracks, ‘Heel/Heal’. The fairly minimalistic song structure which is brought to life with the intrusive repetition of “I’m not saying I’m not like you, I’m just saying I don’t like you” really captures the tone for the record in its entirety. After catching up with Talbot and Bowen at Manchester’s Gorilla on their 2018 tour, it quickly became clear that, despite Brutalism certainly being a pivotal turning
point in the band’s career, the Bristol-born 5-piece certainly didn’t complete it without their fair share of grievances. However, if anything such dynamics and head-strong attitudes expressed in the studio will have been a major fire behind the album’s brutal honesty and angst. As you journey through Brutalism, ‘Well Done’, ‘Mother’, ‘Faith in the City’, ‘1049 Gotho’, ‘Divide & Conquer’ and ‘Exeter’ stand out as the band’s leading tracks. Each following the same burning urgency yet remaining unique in narrative covering class divides, the NHS, injustice and mental health. Yet again, punk appears to be the prominent genre using their platform in discussing the most important issues, despite preconceptions of its image. After being awarded a 4.5/5-star rating by Allmusic, a 4/5 by DIY and a slightly underwhelming Loud and Quiet rating of 7/10 (well it’s not the first time critics have got it wrong is it?) Brutalism has earned its place firmly seated in the rock community. Even closer to the heart, Idles have single-handedly formed one of the most heart-warming and open-minded online communities you could ever
imagine under the title All Is Love: AF Gang. The Facebook group have forged a new era of total unity, tolerance, and positivity. Since Idles’ debut, the band exceeded expectations just last year with the release of sophomore album Joy as An Act of Resistance which arguably matched the same intensity as Brutalism but demonstrated a more mature and diverse record. Joy earned the lads a no. 5 placement in the UK Album’s Chart and put them on the more mainstream map to be nominated for a Brit Award at the start of 2019. Although it has to be said, the Brits didn’t greatly mask their lack of humility for the lads who received no air time at all throughout the evening. Perhaps they echoed the views of The Daily Mail who knows. Nevertheless, the purpose of Brutalism remains a festering, blistering wound that needs extracting and dressing. The need for cleansing, relief, and healing is even more necessary in today’s political climate. I think there’s a more promising future with bands like Idles taking some limelight in the media once again. I guess this isn’t as far as you go boys.
FEATURE
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ISSUE 20 / 18th March 2019 WWW.MANCUNION.COM
Music
The Future of Pop Is Female
Jasmine Bennett takes a glimpse at the rising female stars in the new, mysterious realm of reinvented pop
Yungblud Lily Martin
5/10
which set the dynamic of the evening with a firm nod to a political commentary that has become more present in music coming out of the North at the moment. The opening track combined a musically impressive synthesis of rap, rock and reggae which is testament to the songwriter. However throughout each track, his punk roots were evident and resounding. The crowd’s involvement was incredible, and for a brief moment, Yungblud seemed to be in awe of it himself, taking a step back and watching with a slight shake of his head as the audience sang his lyrics back to him. Despite the confidence and ego that comes across onstage, it is clear that Yungblud is still very much the Yorkshire artist he started out as. A combination of radio-hits and politically driven protest raps provide an eclectic and impressive portfolio from Yungblud. His stage presence is to be commended, providing an enthusiasm and passion which draws in both fans and newcomers alike in a way which is reminiscent of Freddie Mercury in Queen’s early years. If only he was sticking true to his local roots, instead of being dragged into the commercialised vision found in America. To read the full artimancunion.com cle, visit
yet simultaneously innovative and new style of music, we are introduced to a realm which is not created by managerial executives and men in offices but by the artists themselves. This production-focused artistry can also be seen in other members of the PC music scene such as Hannah Diamond and GFOTY. The rise of women making the scene their own can be seen again in the likes of Charli XCX. A well-known collaborator of SOPHIE, the singer appears to be everywhere at the moment while still not attracting the same attention as her male counterparts arguably would – and yet, this claim lies uncertain. Because there are no male counterparts, which is what strikes me as most interesting about this emerging pop scene. The work of Charli XCX is inherently female – it dictates a world of female empowerment and sexuality. Songs like ‘Babygirl’ and ‘Femmebot’ are inherently songs written for women, by women. It wouldn’t be possible for a man to make the same style of music. In a similar manner, friend and co-worker of Charli XCX, Tommy Genesis drenches her songs with female empowerment such as on ‘You Know Me’, which croons “I’ll leave you, cause that’s what girls do”. Whether or not men are involved feels a little irrelevant. In the way male singers have been doing for a long time, these women are discussing sex as something that belongs to them. To read the full article, visit mancunion.com
Photo: Mac Downey @Flickr
In the wake of his latest release, ‘11 Minutes’, Yungblud has been proving to the wider music industry that his impressive on-stage energy and driven, politically empowered tracks have a place in the current protest alt-rock revival
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LIVE REVIEW
In the wake of his latest release, ‘11 Minutes’, Yungblud (aka. Dominic Harrison) has been proving to the wider music industry that his impressive on-stage energy and driven, politically empowered tracks have a place in the current protest alt-rock revival. It’s not often that I find myself in the world of anything gracing primetime radio, but Yungblud’s sold out Academy 2 gig seemed an appropriate entrance into the rap-rock singer’s mindset, supported by American Carlie Hanson. The Doncaster-bred artist has risen the ranks recently into a favourite of the pop music scene, with his gritty Yorkshire accent, politically fuelled protest rap and distinctively rock-based songs. These artists are receiving the kind of media coverage and publicity that is sky-rocketing their careers from grassroots to world-famous. Which would be satisfyingly refreshing if it didn’t feel as though it had come at the expense of their artistic integrity and musical quality. Headliner Yungblud took to the stage with a staggering energy for which he has become renowned for. Never have I seen an artist with such a consuming stage presence. The set opened with spoken word poetry,
Upon surface glance, it is easy to dismiss pop. Often associated with the charts, pop draws connotations of carefully constructed bands like Little Mix and even the recently revived Jonas Brothers. Pop isn’t known for its authenticity – one of the biggest criticisms of the Spice Girls back in the 90s was that they weren’t ‘real’ enough in their origins. But under the bright, bopping façade we have come to associate pop with is a thrumming underground of innovative female artists creating a new kind of pop, deeply associated with electronic production, sexuality and making the genre fundamentally theirs. Pop is being widely reclaimed with a rise in electronica, to an extent where the music coming out in the genre feels almost dependent on its production to gain success. The best example lies in the brilliant, frenzied work of Grammy-nominee SOPHIE. One of the best producers of the last decade, her work revolves around deeply layered soundwaves mixed in with the giddy beats of classic pop music. Simultaneously surreal and danceable, her tracks offer an insight into this new and unfamiliar realm of pop. Upon being asked her genre by Billboard, Sophie replied ‘advertising’, and perhaps this sums up the new world of pop music well: it revolves, predominantly, around making music purely to sell it. It’s commercial, it’s broadly appealing, and it’s satisfyingly pure pop. In the rise of this marketable and
ISSUE 20 / 18th March 2019 WWW.MANCUNION.COM
Games
REVIEW.
The Occupation Photo: White Paper Games
The Occupation Jeremy Bijl
A Manchester-based political thriller with hidden depths, but deep flaws
7.5/10
The Occupation is a real-time political thriller with inequality at its heart. And by inequality, I don’t mean the political concept (although that certainly is a theme), but how erratic it is in terms of its own achievements. In terms of narrative, gameplay, and atmosphere, White Paper Games have produced a stellar indie title – quite possibly one of the best I played in a long time – but it is so beleaguered by technical issues, bugs, and idiosyncrasies that unearthing its brilliant nucleus could be a difficult process for many players. The game is fixed-length, taking place in a city called Turing over the course of four hours. In effect, however, it is four one-hour chunks interspersed by flashbacks and cut-scenes. At the end of each of these one-hour levels (for that’s what they effectively are), you will interview a prominent member of the Bowman-Carson Group, the clandestine organisation at the epicentre of a major terror incident. Arriving an hour early for each interview (with the last one being a bit shorter), you are free to sneak around the offices as much as you want to arm yourself with more information with which to grill your interviewees. I should add that this sneaking about is not compulsory. Playing The Occupation, you can simply sit and wait for your meetings to commence, or else only prioritise low-risk, low-reward leads. You won’t be able to ask as many questions, but, as you might imagine, interviewees are far less prone towards hostility if you aren’t caught sneaking around their office before speaking with them. Sneaking itself is probably the central mechanic of The Occupation, and is done extremely well. Although your character, Harvey Miller, will sometimes sway up or down unpredictability depending on your proximity to physical objects, I really liked how unforgiving the stealth was. I’ve played lots of games where you have to be seen for a sustained period of time, or at a close distance to be spotted, but in The Occupation, quite realistically, it only takes a glimpse in the peripheries of the security guards to arouse suspicion, while a proper sighting will get you in trouble instantly. The time-sensitive nature of your assignment really ramps up the tension
of this. One hour may sound like a reasonable time to snoop around offices, but when you’re trying to solve what is essentially a multi-sided, 4D puzzle, it really flies by. It can be nerve-wracking and, being honest, incredibly frustrating, but it really drove the occasionally laboured pacing forward and made this feel like a frenetic, if slightly clunky, stealth game rather than a straightforward walking sim. This is well-balanced by only deploying one or two guards, who can be circumnavigated with relative ease. Nonetheless, I never found the game too easy, with Steve (the principle guard) often appearing unexpectedly to vanquish my quest for the truth. Speaking of the quest for truth, this is where the crux of the game’s narrative lies. To this day and three playthroughs deep, I still don’t feel like I’ve got the full picture of what actually happened on the day of the incident, with the plot being communicated through a series of unreliable narrators, ambiguous flashbacks and conflicting pieces of evidence. Every truth you unearth in The Occupation feels somehow like one of many versions of parallel truths, and unraveling the many threads (and red herrings) in the narrative was a sheer delight. This nuance really made the game worth playing over and over, so compelling was the mystery at its centre. I loved the maturity and discursiveness at the heart of this plot, and, for the most part, it traded political condescension for an atmosphere of uncertainty, moral ambiguity, and mixed agendas. This is a proper detective game that doesn’t hold your hand, making you work to get the most out of its surprising depth. Unfortunately, I did feel The Occupation became a victim of its own integrity in this way. Whilst it has the ability to hook you, it can also feel so utterly obfuscated as to be off-putting. Certainly, my first playthrough felt overwhelmingly vague, a series of contextless dead-ends and disappointments. In all honesty, I may have been put off a rerun had I not been reviewing. There were a number of in-game tasks that I felt required one more step than was reasonable in the time that I had, and this meant every eureka moment was counteracted by one of utter bafflement. I do feel that, in this way, The Occupation could have facilitat-
Photo: White Paper Games
ed something like a journalistic debrief before the investigation without breaking its steadfast commitment to immersion and realism, which would have cleared up some of the initial teething problems and anchored me in the game’s world. That being said, the game’s world did do plenty of its own legwork. It may not have been the most spectacularly interesting to look at, with plenty of gloominess, rain, and repurposed bureaucratic governmental buildings, but its sombreness, along with its feeling of paranoia and political unrest, created a stellar atmosphere. That White Paper achieve this whilst populating the game very sparsely is a testament to the work of the design team, as well as the game’s voice actors. A sprinkling of unintrusive references to Ether One helped, too, in making this feel like a breathing universe, as does its resemblance to Manchester, the city on which Turing is based. Unfortunately, the major drawback of The Occupation is how buggy it is. Upon starting the game, I encountered severe problems when trying to upscale the game to 4k, leading to a two-hour quest which resulted in me having to delete obscure local game files in order to be able to play the game. Elsewhere, I was occasionally caught ‘trespassing’ in public places, whilst one occasion saw Steve clip through a staircase and become stuck, nightmarishly, between the staircase and a floor. On two occasions I fell through the map, meaning I had to reboot. Fortunately, these occasions were in the short, linear flashback sections, because the much-maligned save system can cost you up to an hour of progress if you fall foul of its whimsies. It is also prone to alarming framerate drops, with several cutscenes and mediating segments plagued by this issue. For a game built around immersion and realism, this can be incredibly jarring, and break the game’s otherwise seductive spell.zUsually, if I’m approaching the close of a review with a seven-ish out of ten in sight, I’ll use words like ‘solid’, ‘worthy’ or ‘valiant.’ The Occupation is none of these. It is both profoundly brilliant and profoundly flawed, exceptional in some areas, but exceptionally uneven in others. For those willing to put the work in, there’s a diamond here to be found. But it is a rough diamond indeed.
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ISSUE 20 / 18th March 2019 WWW.MANCUNION.COM
Film
Meeting Gorbachev Erin McKay Contributor
5/5
In this absorbing and wellresearched documentary, Werner Herzog explores the rise and fall of the eighth and final Premier of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev. This powerful piece doesn’t just capture the work of a revolutionary leader who strove for the betterment and protection of his country, but also the beautiful life he led. The stunning orchestral soundtrack created an emotional atmosphere, combined with excerpts from his days in power that showcase a capable and progressive man who united Russia and the West over a feud that had lasted nearly a century. The film paints Gorbachev as
Photo: Fed Govt @ Wikimedia Commons
a man not above his own people, a man who cared deeply for his country, and in the end betrayed by his own government with their vote to disband the communist party. Werner Herzog’s magnificent portrayal of the final years of the Soviet Union, and the man who saw it to the very end, illuminates parts of history usually overlooked. The one drawback to this experience was the fact that the English subtitles for Gorbachev’s words had been cut off at the bottom of the screen, which slightly detracted from the significance of his words. But still, overall a truly fascinating documentary for any history buff with a fascination with the Cold War period.
Public Figure Josh Sandy Contributor
4.5/5
Named after the infamous title that countless Instagram ‘influencers’ bestow upon themselves, Brian Corso’s directorial debut Public Figure is a visually stylish and extremely nuanced look at the public’s growing obsession with social media. The documentary opens looking at the seemingly opulent world in which social media superstars inhabit, and features revealing interviews with creators from across the globe. This is followed by a surprisingly detailed look at the science behind the growing problem of social media addiction. The film makes excellent use of professional psychologists and masterfully guides the audience to both reflect on their own social
media habits and consider the actual lives of the people behind the accounts. Finally, Corso returns to the creators and particularly focuses on New-York based ‘professional memer’, Sebastian Tribbie. Despite his often outlandish and showboating behaviour in public, during the private vox-pops Tribbie comes across as a genuinely likeable character. This change stands out as the perfect case study for the often blurred line between these people’s true personalities and their carefully curated online personas. Overall, Public Figure is a fantastic example of documentary’s abilities to not only inform, but also to induce contemplation and spark important conversations.
Heartless Angler Charlie Harrison Contributor
5/5
This original language Japanese short film is a triumph. In less than 15 minutes it creates a depth to the characters that even full-length feature films struggle to do. The story follows a middle-aged man who every day gets into his business attire, bids his wife farewell and then changes into his fishing gear and takes a trip to the river for a spot of angling. The most refreshing aspect of this film is the lack of gimmicks; there is no music (only the sounds of the trickling river) and there is virtual-
Photo: Sarang @WikimediaCommons
ly no dialogue. All of our understanding of the characters comes from the close-up shots of their faces: a sadness in the wife, a guilty pleasure in the man, and a struggling but determined young fisherman who also visits the same river. Other short films in this session tried to pack too much into a reduced timeframe and failed to hit the mark. Heartless Angler is beautifully shot, funny yet heartbreaking and satisfying in its pursuit of creating a full story. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that the premise of this film with the same cast and crew could create a very successful full-length film.
ISSUE 20 / 18th March 2019 WWW.MANCUNION.COM
Film
Hotel Mumbai William Johnston Contributor
3/5
Hotel Mumbai depicts the brutal terrorist attacks that took place across central Mumbai in 2008, focusing primarily on the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel attacks. Dialogue is certainly what stands out in the film; it’s brilliantly crafted, with authenticity and occasional wit throughout. Where the film is let down, however, is with the vast amount of narratives covered. With limited time to explore each guest’s story, the result is a dilution of character development. The terrorists and their stories are presented as much more complex, which draws attention away from the stories of some of the guests and their fate, such as the central couple played by Armie Hammer and Nazanin Boniadi. Jason Isaacs stands out in his
portrayal of a bitter ex-soldier, while Oscar winner Dev Patel gives a solid performance as one of the hotel’s staff. What is highlighted powerfully in the film is the heroism of the staff at the hotel, and the duty they felt towards protecting not only the building but their guests. The director Anthony Maras proved his grasp on creating tension, with impeccably choreographed and timed scenes throughout. Additionally, composer Hauschka, who also worked on the Oscarnominated Lion, beautifully scored the film. Not only did the soundtrack contextualise the film in India, but also masterfully complimented the mood of the scenes. Hotel Mumbai is a film plentiful in suspense and subsequent relief, but when compared to a film like Captain Phillips the lack of character development is starkly revealed.
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Photo: @MANIFF
A great day in Paris Aisha Al-Janabi Deputy Film Editor
Photo: @MANIFF
A Great Day in Paris is a documentary about jazz musicians in Paris, of which around 70 gathered in Montmartre for a commemorative photograph in 2008. This photo came to be because of Ricky Ford, a saxophonist, who wanted to create a permanent record of their presence and community. It was heart-warming to see the footage from this day, with friends reuniting and exchanging endless hugs. Throughout the film we come back to this scene in 2008 which centres the interviews which would otherwise not have an over-arching narrative. Each interview is unique as each musician reminisces about their own experiences,
Isabelle Carl Fitzgerald Contributor
1.5/5
What’s an apt way to criticise a film that suffers due to being so disinteresting? Isabelle is most certainly one of those movies. It tells the story of Matt and Larissa Kane, a young couple with a baby on the way and a new house they’re moving into. The neighbours of course have a creepy daughter who ominously watches Larissa from the window, something which intensifies after she suffers a miscarriage. There’s an intriguing Babasupernatural grief dook-esque metaphor underlying the story, but its problem is that this is a movie with no idea what to do with
3/5
that. The scares become a repetitive sequence of “crying baby sounds, then GHOST JUMP SCARE!” after the ninetieth time. None of the characters are emotionally engaging at all, and there’s a somewhat gross anti-medicine sentiment that permeates any effort to get Larissa psychological help. It feels like the script was cobbled together in an hour with regard solely paid towards scares aimed at twelve-year-olds rather than explore any deeper interesting themes or ideas. At best it’d make an interesting beer-movie, but if you’re looking for anything else stay at home and watch Hereditary. Photo: Armael @ Wikimedia Commons
and their decision to move away from America and to Paris. Interjecting these interviews are scenes of performances and the camera work here really captures the physicality of a musician; watching them move, their ever-changing facial expressions with beads of sweat rolling down their faces was mesmerising to watch. Mark Foss, husband of Michka Saäl the director of the film, mentioned that Michka wanted to give the musicians the respect they deserve, instead of side-lining their music, which was definitely achieved in this film. This film intimately preserves individual lives of each musician and will remain to be valuable archive footage of this community.
YEP, HAD TO PULL AN ESSAY ALL-NIGHTER
TREAT YOURSELF TO LUNCH AT 532, WE PROMISE YOU’LL EVEN COME OUT WITH CHANGE
COSTA COFFEE IS THE ONE FOR YOU
YEAH, MY FLAT MATES ARE STEALING MY FOOD
HANGRY AND VEGAN
WHOLESOME JUNKIES GOT YOU COVERED
YES, SPENT MY STUDENT LOAN ALREADY University of Manchester Student Union
YOU NEED A BLACK MILK FILL UP WITH PIEMINISTER BURRITO CANTINA WILL SORT YOU OUT
OUR MEAL DEAL IS CHEAPER THAN MORRISONS
ISSUE 20 / 18th March 2019 WWW.MANCUNION.COM
Books
23 Photo: Saskia Vogel
INTERVIEW. Saskia Vogel, author of ‘Permission’ Gurnaik Johal talks with author and translator, Saskia Vogel, about ‘Permission’, her debut novel about LA’s BDSM community
I met Saskia Vogel on the day her debut novel, Permission, was released in the UK. The novel follows Echo, an aspiring actress drifting through life in Hollywood’s dream-machine. When her father suddenly drowns, Echo is left a little anchorless, until she finds an unexpected stability in LA’s BDSM community. Vogel “really wanted to write a novel that had a carnal and erotic perspective at its centre.” Moving back to LA from London in her early twenties, she found a “new set of friends that were all sort of integral to the BDSM community in Los Angeles.” Interested in “the questioning they did around heteronormative relationships,” Vogel started to write what would become Permission in the early 2000s. She “wanted to document and tell the stories of how these people came to shape their lives around this community,” and started the book as a non-fiction project. Over the years, “stories about a dominatrix and a foot fetishist” stuck with her, eventually becoming Permission’s other main characters, Orly and Piggy.
Both Echo and Piggy are infatuated with Orly, and the narrative orbits around her. Vogel “spent a lot of time considering perspective in the novel.” And in Permission, we alternate between both Echo’s and Piggy’s points of view. “Echo’s parts are written in first person and I felt like I could speak about her journey with more authority. Piggy’s sections are Piggy’s stories as told to Echo as told to us in third person.” When writing Piggy’s stories, Vogel “wanted to play with what an aroused tone of voice would be. How desire might impact form.” Echo’s sections are minimalistic and melancholic; Vogel’s well-wrought prose is stretched taut to cover everything from death and grief, to love and sex. While you’ll want to savour the writing in Echo’s narration, you’ll speed through Piggy’s sections, just as eager as he is to find some kind of conclusion. The two sides of the novel have created “a split in the reviews so far,” with different readers preferring different narrators. Vogel said that “it was really important to me to have both a male and a female perspective, as
the novel is about how the patriarchy fails us all.” The one perspective we don’t get is Orly’s. “I didn’t want to speak for Orly but I also didn’t want her life to turn into just another story about a sex worker who’s objectified.” Vogel creates “a sense of both how she takes shape in their fantasies but also how becoming an object of fantasy is part of her job and something she enjoys.” Orly enjoys becoming the person that Echo and Piggy need. She is a “a mutual creation of fantasy.” Vogel explained that “Piggy was someone who grew up during the sexual revolution but the sexual revolution wasn’t really for him. He wanted something different and we don’t always have the language and the skills to find what we want. Sometimes it’s inaccessible to us. That’s how literature felt to me for a while. Growing up in LA, publishing seemed so far away. Sometimes you need to go far to find what you want.”
Read the full article online.
Celebrate Irish literature this St Patrick’s Day To celebrate St Patrick’s Day, Amy Hagan lists her favourite books by Irish authors In the lead up to St Patrick’s Day, here are some of my favourite books by Irish authors, perfect to read to get in the mood for Sunday’s celebrations and perfect to read while recovering from them. The Butcher Boy (1992) by Patrick McCabe: This tragicomedy is about a young boy called Francie Brady who lives in a small town in Ireland and retreats into a violent fantasy world when his home life begins to collapse because of his alcoholic father and suicidal mother. Winning the 1992 Irish Times Irish Literature Prize for Fiction, McCabe mixes first person narration and stream-of-consciousness to create a darkly comedic story of a child who struggles to deal with reality and has created a version of it where he justifies all his actions, including stealing, stalking, and murder. McCabe succeeds in portraying issues such as psychological instability and family relationships in a way that makes the reader question if what they are reading is true. McCabe depicts the search for identity as an important theme, setting his novel during the 1960s/1970s when Ireland as a nation was searching for an identity in the midst of post-colonial rule and prominent sectarianism. The Butcher Boy is
humorous, dark and confusing all at the same time and delivers a compelling storyline about the fine line between reality and fantasy. Long Day’s Journey into Night (1941-42) by Eugene O’Neill: Irish-American playwright Eugene O’Neill situates family life, addiction, and miserliness as the focal points of his Pulitzer Prize-winning drama. Occurring over a single day, the play centres around the Tyrone family and shines an intensely negative light on them as they try to deal with addictions to morphine and whiskey, illness, mental instability and resentment for one another. Long Day’s Journey into Night is a semi-autobiographical play with O’Neill drawing inspiration from his own family as they also experienced financial troubles, alcoholism and failed career prospects. Powerfully moving and an emotional rollercoaster, O’Neill’s play shines a light on the seedy underbelly of family life in American society from the perspective of a second-generation immigrant family. Room (2010) by Emma Donoghue: Irish-Canadian Emma Donoghue’s novel is about a young woman and her son’s experience of being held captive in a single room for many years and how they try to adapt to the outside world when they escape. Told from the perspective of five-year-
old Jack, it is an emotionally charged narrative of a mother’s unique relationship with her child and the physical and psychological trauma she endures in order to protect him. Donoghue based her novel on the real-life Fritzl case, where a young girl was imprisoned by her father in their basement for almost twenty-five years, giving birth to seven of his children. This historical foundation shone a controversial light on Donoghue’s novel for being ethically improper and immoral, a money-making scheme operating on the grief of victims. It didn’t however stop Room from being adapted into a film, starring Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay in 2015, and becoming a huge critical and commercial success. Death of a Naturalist (1966) by Seamus Heaney: Seamus Heaney is recognised as one of the major contributors to poetry in the late 20th and early 21st century. Death of a Naturalist was Heaney’s first major published volume of poems and it won the Cholmondeley Award and Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize. Heaney’s poetry focuses on many topical issues, from family life and relationships to childhood and Northern Irish politics.
Read the full article online.
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Theatre
ISSUE 20 / 18th March 2019 WWW.MANCUNION.COM
Interview.
Adam Szabo of Manchester Collective
Theatre Editor Anuli Changa talks to Adam Szabo, Managing Director of Manchester Collective, creating “radical human experiences through live music” Manchester Collective’s Managing Director Adam Szabo, a self-described “reformed cellist”, is originally from Sydney and also trained at the Royal Northern College of Music. Szabo explained that Manchester Collective performances are created with “elements of theatre”. Szabo sees Manchester as a “culturally engaged city” with so many kinds of music and explained the importance of planning projects with a focus on how they can “best communicate [their] love and excitement for music”. There is a never a fourth wall in Manchester Collective performances. Szabo humbly conceded that there are other organisations seeking to break boundaries in music and audience demographics. He described the Collective as “young, digital natives” and emphasised the importance of engaging with technology, including the frequent release of new music and music videos on YouTube. The Collective is driven by “creative agency” as they are not “beholden to a subscriber audience”. Szabo described the Collective as remaking “an arts organisation in our own image,” they seek to connect with diverse audiences that reflect the diversity of their performers. Manchester Collective first performed in February 2017 and the Collective has grown impressively since, performing across the U.K. and Europe. When asked whether he felt music was political and impactful, Szabo replied that music has always been “inherently political” giving examples such as Shostakovich’s 4th Symphony being a comment on the Soviet system. The
Photo: @Joseph Rigby
Photo: @Nathan Chandler
Kayleigh Crawford reviews RAGS, reimagined by Stephen Schwartz and David Thompson, a story of immigration, identity and hope
This new, re-imagined RAGS version of the musical is painfully relevant in today’s political climate. Set in 1911 and spanning the course of a year, RAGS details the journey of a group of Jewish immigrants living in New York City and the struggles that they encounter whilst searching for a happy life. This version, with lyrics from Stephen Schwartz (Wicked) and a revised book by David Thompson, highlights the ongoing relevance of RAGS by drawing reference to issues that are still prevalent now. With cleverly crafted lyrics and one-liners that resonated across the audience, RAGS is a spectacular example of a show which breaks down the barriers between past and present. Shifting between poignant and uplifting, RAGS was masterfully crafted, with a stage and set design that became both a crowded tenement and the spacious skyline of New York City. Lydia White shone
Review.
RAGS
“universal” nature of music allows this to continue today. Manchester Collective aims to present ~“incredible music out in the community” where different people can reach it. Szabo explained that in “the heritage classical world” there are limitations on the “fundamental truth of the music”. According to Szabo, there is the need to remove the “emotional class-based baggage” that is linked to predominantly orchestral music. Manchester Collective combat this by performing a range of music in alternative venues: warehouses and clubs as well as major concert halls. Manchester Collective is about making music relatable and “intensely personal.” For each venue, performances are remade in a “bespoke way.” Venue changes allow education and engagement on both sides. Bringing the music to audiences beyond the traditional and unusual venues to the traditional audiences. This was demonstrated most recently in Manchester Collective’s Black Angels performances at both the traditional venue of Stoller Hall, and also the White Hotel (a club in Salford). Szabo described the unorthodox staging of performing George Crumb’s music in a new version of the round. Involving the audience by having them in a semi-circle running through the musicians, creating an intimate space with this seating and the light riggings brought down from the ceiling. Szabo encourages people to “be open, be brave” and see Manchester Collective perform” some of the “most powerful music ever written”.
in her professional debut role as Bella, a young girl who makes the journey from Russia to New York to be with her father, remaining optimistic despite the hard times. White’s portrayal was incredibly moving, especially as Bella’s relationship with Ben (Sam Peggs) developed as the play progressed; the couple became a force that everyone was rooting for. Robert Tripolino was excellent in his fast-paced and funny portrayal of Sal, an Italian worker leading the cause for strike action. Hopping between comedic one-liners, inspiring insights, and revolutionary fervour, Tripolino’s ability to change between playfulness and righteous anger was captivating, and quickly established him as an audience favourite. Rebecca Trehearn also deserves a mention for her spectacular performance as the lead role Rebecca. Along with her son David (George Varley/Lochlan White), Rebecca must navigate a new life in New York City with no money to her name. Trehearn’s portrayal of a woman desperate to guarantee a good life for her child was heartbreaking, and yet at times uplifting.
The music itself, inspired by American Ragtime Performances, was lively and upbeat throughout most of the first act but abruptly shifted to melancholic and violin-heavy within the second act. This was a contrast which served to highlight the highs and lows that the characters face throughout the course of the performance. Having members of the band not only onstage but integrated into the action as New York City street performers highlighted the excellent design and directors. The presence of the musicians onstage created a busy atmosphere and cleverly showcased the talents of the musicians who were playing, whilst also following the rapid choreography and movement of the musical numbers. RAGS is a story about immigration and struggling to fit in, but it is centred around themes of love and hope. Family, friends, romance: RAGS emphasised the importance of human connection in hard times, focused through the lens of Jewish community values, yet applicable and relevant to everyone. In RAGS , tragedy and hope collide to produce a bittersweet, emotional upheaval of a performance, creating laughter and tears in equal measure.
ISSUE 20 / 18th March 2019 WWW.MANCUNION.COM
A R T E
Photo: Gerald England @Geograph
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Chris Ofili’s ‘The Holy Virgin Mary’ Saoirse Akhtar-Farren reflects on Manchester born Chris Ofili’s ‘The Holy Virgin Mary’, which featured in Charles Saatchi’s exhibition ‘Sensation’ in 1997, in relation to challenging the nature of art and conventional reverence associated with religious imagery Photo: Jennifer Mei
week Photo: Duncal Hill @Wikimedia Commons
Anja Samy explores the history behind the swarm of worker bees that cover our city From street signs to paving slabs to the Manchester University crest, the Manchester Bee is everywhere. But how many of us really know the history behind the bee? The Manchester Bee, or Worker Bee as it is also known has been a motif for the city since the Industrial Revolution. In 1842 the city council incorporated a bee into the Manchester coat of arms as a symbol of the city’s resilience and work ethic. Manchester at the time was a hive of activity with countless mills and factories. Though many of Manchester’s historic mills have since found new uses as flats and office blocks, the bee lives on. The symbol features on a number of key buildings across the city, as well as on manhole covers and notably every bin in the city centre. The rights to the symmetrical, 2D image that we know and love are held by the Manchester City Council but the image is free to use under certain conditions, and can be seen on posters, t-shirts, and tote bags in every corner of the city. The sentiment of the bee, however, lives on in current legislation. According to Manchester.gov, percentage of any profit generated on items featuring the Bee must be given to one of the following charities: • We Love Manchester Emergency Fund • The Lord Mayor Charity Appeal Trust - We Love MCR • We Love MCR Memorial Fund Three bees even feature on the University of Manchester crest. According to the university, the Manchester Bee “represents the city’s innovative and enterprising past.” The power of the Manchester Bee as a unifying symbol was demonstrated after the 2017 terror attack when local tattoo artists founded the Manchester Tattoo Appeal. In a bid to raise money for the victims of the Manchester Arena bombing, thousands of people in Manchester and around the world opted to be tattooed with the bee. The appeal raised more than £520,000 in less than a month. Sir Richard Leese, Head of Manchester City Council, said: “The Manchester Bee has come to represent the best of Manchester [...] In one small image, the unity, solidarity and resilience that prevailed across the city in the days after 22 May is embodied.”
Elephant dung and pornographic buttocks situated in and around a glittering Virgin Mary? Damn right. Manchester born Chris Ofili, was displayed alongside famously controversial artists such as Tracy Emin, Damien Hirst, and Marcus Harvey, in the infamous 1997 exhibition ‘Sensation’. It was here that Charles Saatchi, who exhibited his collection of ‘visual culture’, caused more than just tabloid controversy. Alongside Harvey’s canvas of Myra Hindley, and Hirst’s preserved tiger shark in formaldehyde, Chris Ofili’s ‘Black Madonna’ was also displayed. From the offset, this exhibition did more than provoke scandalised gasps, indeed it laid the path for questioning the very definition of ‘art’. I look to relate this exhibition to scholarly discourse which develops terms like ‘visual culture’ to replace terms like ‘art’ in a modern age. ‘Visual culture’ is the forming of a cultural entity from singular artefacts to a particular medium, which can include, visual perception, communication, or
consumption (according to Christoph Uehlinger’s ‘Approaches to Visual Culture and Religion’). The relationship between ‘visual culture’ and ‘popular culture’ is linear and suggests that by addressing art as ‘visual culture’ one uses imagery from the visual to understand the social culture in its contemporary society. Whilst some may argue that the term ‘art’ is ambiguous and thus can facilitiate new ‘art’ forms, terms like ‘visual culture’ attempt to challenge conventional thought by appreciating the drastic changes in society from the days of classical 15th-century acrylic paint pieces. In a modern age where technology and capitalism have become an integral part of daily life, questions surrounding the appropriateness of terms like ‘art’ are being raised for a lack of inclusion in the world of ‘art’ today. I come back to Ofili’s thought-provoking ‘The Holy Virgin Mary’ which was slated for disrespecting the sanctity of the Virgin Mary with elephant dung and pornographic cutouts.
The role of cultural influence and racial identity has always been a prevailing feature in ‘art’, and Ofili’s work is no different. Ofili’s ‘Black Madonna’ is innovative for the challenging use of materials within a mainstream contemporary platform, and for exposing the cultural ignorance and dismissal shown by white critics. Ofili’s Nigerian heritage plays a fundamental role in the use of elephant dung with the Virgin Mary, for dung has a symbolic relationship with fertility. The Virgin’s teat is sculpted into a pinnacle made from elephant dung, whilst the painting of the ‘Black Madonna’ is balanced on two balls of dung. It is important to note that dung has been used for centuries, and still is used, to create the foundations of people’s homes beyond Europe, thus representing more than mere waste. While the exhibition ‘Sensation’ was on tour in New York, Cardinal O’Connor claimed that Ofili’s work was not only “an attack on religion itself” but also “on the Catholic Church.” [...] Read more at mancunion.com
Rosie Plunkett How we can have such a harmonious relationships with such beautiful landscapes, when for others it is the most disastrous place on earth? Rosie Plunkett tackles this challenging question in her most recent landscape photography project
Rosie Plunkett, a second year photography student at MMU Art school, is stepping outside her comfort zone in her latest project. As an artist who usually focuses on human subjects, she decided to try her hand at the sort of landscape photography she loves, and the result is hauntingly beautiful. Following a University brief to create a book of their chosen subject, Plunkett chose to tackle a harrowing catastrophe, an incident she describes as a famous “case of exploitation and neglect that ended in tragedy.” The event in question is the 2004 Morecambe Bay cockling disaster;an appalling accident in which 23 illegal Chinese immigrants drowned in the fast-rising evening tides whilst collecting cockles. The group had been imported in containers to Liverpool in a clandestine operation and were
Photo: Rosie Plunkett
then hired out via local criminal branches of international Chinese crime syndicates. Working for inhumanely low wages - £5 per 25kg of cockles collected – the group were caught out by the unfamiliar tide pattern, only for local emergency services to find a
gruesome case of mass drowning and hyperthermia. Plunkett expresses her “passion” for the project, given her “personal connection to the Morecambe Bay landscape.” In this way, she seeks to “challenge [her] personal relationship to this landscape and make [...] Read more at mancunion.com
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Food & Drink
ISSUE 20 / 18th March 2019 WWW.MANCUNION.COM
Re-defining comfort eating
Catrin Stewart looks at the privilege associated with comfort eating and how the consumption of food is fundamentally about more If someone mentions the words ‘comfort eating’, my mind usually goes straight to that episode of Friends. Specifically, where Rachel and Monica help Chandler through heartbreak with varying degrees of quality ice cream. The conversation goes like this; Chandler: “This ice cream tastes like crap by the way.” Rachel: “Yeah, well that’s that low cal, nondairy, soy milk junk. We save the real stuff for the truly terminal cases.” Monica: “Yeah, when Why does comfort you start getting screwed over all the time you gotor emotional ta switch to low fat.” (I looked that up by eating the way — I may be a Friends fan, but I’m not necessarily that obsessed) The thing is, this immean sad? age saturates popular culture. A classic scene being Bridget Jones eating ice cream underneath a huge duvet. It always seems to be the combination of ice cream and heartbreak, huh. I mean, of course, there’s something oddly comforting and indulgent about spooning creamy ice cream straight from the tub. But I want to redefine comfort eating.
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Firstly, we need to step away from the stereotypes and realise a prejudice. if it wasn’t a slim white woman consuming ~2000 calories in one sitting, would we laugh fondly in the same way? Someone with a larger body would be condemned for being ‘unhealthy’ or promoting bad eating habits. Comfort eating is ‘quirky’ or ‘cute’ on one person but shameful on another. But being small doesn’t make you healthy, and being large doesn’t make you unhealthy (say it louder for those in the back). This mentality is indicative of the pervasive fatphobia and thin privilege that saturates Western culture. With the rise of social media influencers, fitness, and wellness bloggers, its hard to wade through all the different information that bombards your screens every day. My Instagram feed, I must admit, fluctuates between videos of sensuous mac and cheese pulls to acai bowls and protein oats. I feel constantly torn between the swathes of messages: indulge! Treat yourself! (But only 20% of the time!) And it always seems to come from the same sort of people. I’m not condemning every white female influencer, but I’m trying to be more aware of what messages I trust. Certain online personalities (I’m not going to name names) have come under fire for their involvement with the body positive movement. Seems counter-productive, right? But its because these people with their toned and perfect bodies — whilst probably incredibly healthy and hardworking — have appropriated the con-
cept. Posting a before and after picture of your bloated belly post-pizza isn’t the same as inhabiting a larger body on a day-to-day basis and experiencing the unspoken prejudices that we like to ignore. It’s the same issue as before, with comfort eating. And whilst I would love to fix all of these issues of fatphobia I don’t think I (as another slim white woman writing about food) can or should. But there might be another way. We can think of food, not through who is eating, or what we’re eating, but why. Why does comfort or emotional eating necessarily mean sad? I feel comforted by food in so many other ways. There’s nothing better than takeout pizza and cheap wine when you’re celebrating the small stuff. Or a pie with lashings of gravy to warm you up after a long walk. Or a fresh, homemade salad after a week long all inclusive holiday: all these things make you feel good. And the fact is, comfort eating is pretty much just (wait for it) … eating. Chemically, it’s impossible to consume food without releasing some dopamine. And sure, not everyone has this privilege of enjoying food, but we need to stop shaming the idea of eating for emotion when its one of the most precious things we have. It forms and sustains relationships, keeps us afloat when life feels too much and is the cornerstone for so many beliefs and traditions. It’s time we re-think and re-define what we believe to be comfort eating. And along with this, think about the reasons why.
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A Lidl state of mind When Sainsbury’s leaves us penniless, Lidl is always there to catch the fall. Lucia Cannizzaro writes of her love for the budget supermarket It is the order of the day. Whenever I’m talking to a fellow student, the “Omg I’m so broke” sentence will always stumble out of my mouth or theirs. Unfortunately, this fake-it-till-you-make-it lifestyle is something we can all relate to. Student loans don’t last forever. However, I fi nd it very ironic when they follow up by saying that they shop at Sainsbury’s. Well, hello? Of course you are broke! There is nothing worse that having to spend £1.50 for a bunch of small mushrooms. Not to mention, that the average shop of a Fallowfi eld student includes way more expensive items than some vegetables. Indeed, salmon
and classy wines can be found amongst the ‘essentials’. But are they really essential? When I say that my £30 food shop will last me over two weeks, people look at me in amazement. How is this possible? Simple! Lidl. Their slogan says it all: Big on quality, Lidl in price. Now, some may say, “Yeah fair enough, but is the quality really that good? It’s no ‘Taste the Difference’ is it?” Well, no. The pasta might go directly from raw to over-cooked without passing through the al dente phase and there might not be any Salmon & Ginger fi shcakes but I never had any dysentery from eating Lidl food, and I have always found what I was looking for around
its aisles. Can dozens of drunken, annoying students really afford to be picky on food? There might not be as much choice at Lidl, but Sainsbury’s (at least the one in Fallowfi eld) is defi nitely bigger than any other Lidl I have seen. And alright, Lidl will never be a place for gourmet food, but if you are a nifty chef then I think you can transform any kind of food into a delicious dish. Or if you are not, I would still rather spend £0.35 on a pre-made tomato sauce than a £2 jar of pesto. At least this way I’ll still have the money to treat myself to a drink (or two) in Turtle Bay.
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ISSUE 20 / 18th March 2019 WWW.MANCUNION.COM
Waitress Tales: Spilling the hospitali-tea Elena Bradley spills the ‘hospitali-tea’ on working as a young woman in the restaurant industry. Can you be both pretty and successful in hospitality? ly, I want to raise this discussion as I’m not sure what I think on the topic; but what I do know is that it’s something experienced by nearly every one of my peers; many being young women working in the hospitality industry. As a young woman who wears make-up should I have to ‘deal with’ female colleague resentment or alternatively male belittlement? Is my perceived attractiveness to others my own responsibility? All interesting questions. An anecdote from a friend who works in a high-end restaurant in Manchester illustrates this issue perfectly. She had slept in and so didn’t have the time to put on make-up. At work, she was berated by male colleagues for “scaring the customers” and was told to “get to the makeup counter” during her break before she “let the restaurant down” by looking so rough. Though I’m sure we’ve all experienced something similar, I fail to recognise a painted face as the criteria for excellent customer service. God forbid Dave from Hulme is put off his medium rare sirloin with peppercorn sauce because he’s repulsed by my lack of faux mink lashes or bronzer. Another waitress friend had an even worse experience in a similarly high-end Manchester restaurant. After spending an understaffed night doing an excellent job of running food for seven hours on a Saturday, she’d told her female manager that she felt she’d done an amazing job. Her manager replied: “That’s only because the chefs want to f*** you.” One friend even divulged how following a hook up with another staff member, the male chefs stopped speaking to her as they felt they could no longer flirt
with her as she’d “ruined” their perception of her as a pure, up-for-grabs virgin. Makes your blood boil doesn’t it? Even from personal experience, I’ve had to work twice as hard in a restaurant with a female general manager to gain the same respect that my male I fail to equivalents earned. Because of what? The recognise a mantra drilled into many young women that painted face as the lack of positions at the top of whatever the criteria for industry we choose to be in are so limited excellent that we need to elbow every other woman out customer service of the way for our own success? Or are we all secretly resentful of, in the words of Carrie Bradshaw “the hotter, younger, twenty-something woman”? I suppose what I’m trying to raise are two parallel issues here. The first relating to the way in which some men in the hospitality industry see their female staff as dangling carrots to attract customers instead of legitimate, successful and professional individuals. The second being the hostility felt between women in the hospitality industry. Can’t there be enough room for us all to succeed without sabotaging each other?
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We all want to be attractive. We all also want to be successful or at least respected by others in a professional capacity. But can these two co-exist in the hospitality industry? As a young woman who spent (and is still spending) her formative years working in hospitality, this is a problem that has always bothered me as it seems to be one that it is both inescapable and inevitable. Can you ever really be professionally respected in a workplace as an attractive young woman? From comments by male colleagues, managers, and chefs to inappropriate behaviour from customers; the restaurant industry is rife with questionable conduct. And perhaps more honest-
Evuna NQ: the hunt for tapas continues
Evuna NQ scores high on sangria but low on food. Izzy Sharp suggests you take your hunt for the best tapas in town elsewhere
Photo: Izzy Sharp @ The Mancunion
Evuna is a tapas joint tucked away in the Northern Quarter. It was a toss-up between El Gato Negro and Evuna, but in the end my friend and I settled on Evuna because it was slightly cheaper. Two large glasses of sangria, three tapas dishes, and a large pan of paella came to roughly £40 — split between two, that’s £20 without student discount. Reasonable value for money, but still not worth it. One of my least favourite moments in life is the realisation that the meal just isn’t that good. I am the sort of person who studies menus a week in advance. I’m quite aware that I take food too seriously. The restaurant itself is lovely, with its warm lighting and wood panelling. It felt like a cross between a Parisian bistro and a Span-
ish restaurant. The service was good. The sangria was excellent — often, you order sangria and you are presented with a sad glass of wine over-diluted with sparkling water. This sangria came in glasses the size of baubles, alongside healthy doses of brandy and lots of chopped fruit. We were eating it out of our glasses by the end of the meal. In terms of tapas, we went for albondigas, or meatballs, chicken in paprika sauce, and chorizo in red wine. The chicken in paprika had an overly creamy, underseasoned sauce, which left little of an impression save blandness. Both the albondigas and the chorizo had a textural problem. If it was one dish, I could have put the blame on myself for ordering three dishes that were heavy on the sauce. But the meat felt a little too soft; it could have done with a sear in the pan before it was put into the sauce, just to vary the texture. The sauces were admittedly delicious; we ordered bread in order to wipe them up. Sadly, the bread was the best part of the tapas. It was served as it should be with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. I was hoping the paella could redeem the starters. Although it looked promising — loaded
with monstrous prawns, and so filled with saffron that our fingers were stained a nicotine yellow the next day — it too felt bland. Even after I’d doused it with enough lemon to bring the prawns back to life, it wasn’t anything particularly special. One sub-par dish I can tolerate. Three, verging on four, and I won’t take the chance of another letdown. Stop by Evuna for a glass of sangria or two, but take your hunt for the best tapas in town elsewhere. 3/10
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17th September 2018 / Issue 1
Win Bongo’s Bingo Tickets! Page 6
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Inside Culture Alice Kettle: art, 25
Meek Review: Theatre, 24
The Debate: Music, 18
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Our Forgotten Authors Books: 23
Inside Culture: 15
Manchester Food & Drink Review: A Database of Beautiful People Festival Film: 21 Food and Drink: 27
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1st October 2018 / Issue 3
10th October 2018 / Issue 4B
Pro-life charity refused stall at freshers’ fair
Jeepers pers creepers!
The pro-life charity, Life, have lodged an official complaint with the Office for Students, after the University of Manchester Students’ Union said the fair was “not the right platform” for the charity.
The pro-life charity, Life, have filed an official complaint with the Office for Students after being refused a stall at the University of Manchester’s freshers’ fair, who argued that it did not think that the fair was the correct platform for Life. It has also been refused stalls by The University of Warwick Students’ Union and The Guild of Students – University of Liverpool. In the letter to the Office for Students, Anne Scanlan, the Director of Education for Life, wrote: “It is clear that the university student unions […] are discriminating against Life and denying us a platform because they do not agree with our pro-life views”. “In doing so, they are impeding freedom of expression of views which they do not agree with but other students may want to hear”. She went on to call the refusal “discrimination” and argued that it was stifling Life’s right to freedom of expression. Additionally, Senior Education and Media officer at Life, Mark Bhagwandin, told The Mancunion that the rejection was “surprising and disappointing”. In a statement, the Students’ Union Exec Team stood by the decision, arguing that the stall was not student-led and therefore could not be guaranteed to be representing the view of students, saying: “although we have different political parties with stalls at the freshers fair (which are all student-led societies). These campaign on a range of different issues, that allow students to choose themselves whether or not to support and join any of their individual campaigns”. “Life charity are promoting a very sensitive issue that specifically campaign against one of the values we hold as a Union: giving women a choice to do what they want with their bodies”. Last month, Office for Students chair Sir Michael Barber issued a statement writing, which explained that “The Office for Students will work to ensure all registered providers have robust and effective management and governance arrangements in place to protect and promote freedom of speech”, adding “where we have concerns, we will not hesitate to intervene to uphold this fundamental principle”. Freedom of expression has been a contentious issue on university campuses across the
world, with several high-profile controversial speakers being ‘no-platformed’ — prohibited from speaking. In 2015, students at Cardiff University attempted to block feminist academic Germaine Greer from speaking at the university, and in 2017 UC Berkeley cancelled a lecture by alt-right activist Milo Yiannopoulos after violent student protests. A survey conducted in 2016 showed 63% of students were in favour of the National Union of Students (NUS) enforcing a ‘no platforming’ policy which would allow them to block certain individuals or organisations from speaking at their events. The Students’ Union insisted that this was not an example of no-platforming, stating: “We are happy for charities such as this one to represent themselves on platforms such as the several debating forums we hold. But it is not appropriate for the freshers fair where there will be hundreds of new students. Many of whom will already be nervous about leaving home and starting a new University career.” However, there is no clear consensus between students on the issue. A secondyear student who chose to stay anonymous told The Mancunion: “even though there may be a clear majority of pro-choice opinions among students. I think it is vital to ensure all perspectives are represented at an event that functions to provide new undergraduates with platforms to express their views throughout their time at university”. Life has not previously held a stall at the University of Manchester freshers fair, but have done so at other universities across the country. In their statement, they said they expect a response from the Office for Students within the next week. The societies fair will be held across campus on 19th and 20th September.
New SU unveiled
Inside Issue 1
Nicole Wooton-Cane and Ethan Davies Head News Editor and Editor-in-Chief The Students’ Union (SU) have officially launched their rebrand in time for the start of the new academic year. The project has taken three years to complete, and cost approximately £12.5 million. The refurbishments have doubled the meeting spaces available for students to book and tripled the storage space available to societies. New features include two dance studios, The Hive, a theatre and 532, the newly refurbished and branded SU bar. There have also been improvements to the catering, with the introduction of Pieminister and Costa coffee replacing Starbucks coffee in the ‘Brew’hut. Improvements were based on a 2015 survey that asked students what they wanted from their Students’ Union. Common answers included increased storage space and meeting spaces. “There isn’t really anything that hasn’t changed,” Ben Ward, CEO of the Students’ Union told The Mancunion. “We have the biggest number of societies of any union in the country, they really struggle for space to hold some of their events, so we have even more space now for them. We’ve also got things that they’ve been asking for in terms of storage spaces and performance spaces”. “There are also just much nicer spaces for students to come and relax and come and spend their time”. The union have also introduced new services along with the rebrand, including Jobshop, which will be a space for the SU, university and other companies in Manchester to advertise employment for students free of charge. Other projects given a home in the new space are more student-led, such Biko’s Bikes – an initiative that will allow students to rent bikes that fellow students have helped fix for a small fee. Speaking about the new spaces, Activities and Development Officer Lizzy Haughton said: “It’s a really good opportunity for networking, people will come up for specific things and bump into other people, which will increase student engagement and further relationships between different societies. There’s also a lot more opportunity for [societies] to put on their events in both casual and formal spaces”. Changes have also been made to the union’s music venues, Academy 1, 2, 3 and Club Academy. Artificial cooling has been installed to aid audience comfort during busy gigs. It is also hoped that the new catering facilities will encourage audiences to dine in the union before attending performances at the venues. Student reaction to the launch appeared to be largely positive. Lucy Hulme, a second-year Psychology student told The Mancunion: “It looks really nice and clean and there’s lots of stuff going on. I live in Manchester so I remember it before, and now I can’t believe how massive it is! It’s a good social area as well as a place to find activities”. Other students described the new space as “very nice” and “a safe space to come”.
Year abroad mental 3 health Features, page 9
‘Freshers week is to 3 be survived’ Opinion, page 10
New: Culture Page 15
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Pink Floyd at 45 Music: 17
Everything that happened We Are 11 At The and would happen Whitworth Theatre: 24 Art: 27
Photo: Wikipedia Commons
Hannah Vallance News Reporter
Photo: Hatty Hi @Flickr
As many as one in three freshers report symptoms of a mental health disorder, a new study by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has found. The study, of which surveyed 13,984 students in eight different countries, investigated the prevalence of a wide range of mental health disorders thought to be common amongst students, including generalised anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, adult ADHD, major depression and substance abuse and dependence The study comes as thousands of new students across the country start an undergraduate degree, identified by the study as an ‘extremely sensitive’ part of the life cycle when emotional problems and mental disorders commonly occur. 35% of students who responded to the survey reported having suffered one of the disorders investigated at one stage during their life, with 31% of them having suffered from them over the 12-month period prior to taking the survey. The findings, published in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology, are particularly disconcerting given that approximately 75% of all lifetime mental disorders have their onsets prior to the age of 24, especially critical as these early-onset cases are related to poorer clinical and functional outcomes than later-onset cases.
and students can access an extensive range of workshops and groups from everything from procrastination, daily drop-in mindfulness classes to groups for low mood and anxiety. “In addition, those who need one-to-one help can make a same-day appointment at the Counselling Service. We also support staff to support students, offering a rolling programme of training to staff in identifying and responding to mental health crisis – and we have also developed online resources to ensure all staff have access to this information. If you are suffering with mental health problems, or know someone who may need help, The University of Manchester offers a number of free and confidential support services that both students and staff can access. The University Counselling Service is open 9am-4pm every weekday, and can be contacted on 0161 275 2864. Alternatively, The University of Manchester Students’ Union offers a confidential advice service, open Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm all year round. Please ring 0161 275 2952 or email the Advice Service advice.su@manchester.ac.uk to contact an advisor.
The findings follow calls from Universities UK and the youth suicide prevention charity Papyrus for all university staff to receive training in suicide intervention and prevention, amid growing concerns about the quality of services universities provide to those experiencing mental health problems. According to estimates from the Office for National Statistics, 95 students took their own lives during the 2016-17 academic year. In the UK, suicide is the main cause of death in people under 35, with over 18,000 people suffering mental health disorders taking their own life between 2003 and 2013, The Mental Health Foundation has found. Speaking to The Mancunion, Sarah Littlejohn, Head of The University of Manchester’s Counselling Service advised that: “The recent WHO report – although not drawing from a UK population – nonetheless raises important issues in relation to student mental health. We see the mental health and wellbeing of our students as a key priority, and offer resources at all levels. “We offer a University-wide wellbeing framework – the Six Ways to Wellbeing – as a preventive approach to help students stay well and support their own wellbeing. The Counselling Service also offers a wide range of online tools and modules,
24th September 2018 / Issue 2
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Photo: Jonny Whiting
Nicole Wooton-Cane Head News Editor
Inside Culture: 15
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Horror or as cockroaches infest £144-per-week Owens Park Nicole Wootton-Cane and Josh Sandiford Head News Editor and News Reporter Students in an Owens Park flat are demanding financial compensation after they were left “traumatised” by a cockroach infestation in their hall. Those living in Little Court, one of the Owens Park buildings, have also complained about sewage leaking from their taps and flooding in one of the bedrooms. Residents told The Mancunion that they felt the University were neglecting to invest in them due to Owens Park being earmarked for demolition in the near future. The first years, who moved into the university-owned halls at the beginning of Welcome Week, believe that the insects were already in the flat before they arrived due to the presence of cockroach traps in one of the bedrooms. First-year Midwifery student Honor Kelly said the cockroach traps were already in her room when she moved in on Saturday 17th of September: “At first I didn’t realise, like I didn’t check them. I didn’t know what they were, I just assumed every room would have them. “Then the more that we found we realised [the University] had already put traps down, so we looked in them and they were full of cockroaches so I think they must have known that my room was a hub for them before I moved in.” Honor told The Mancunion that she has a fear of bugs, and described hearing the cockroaches scratching at the walls at night when trying to sleep, something her flatmates say they also heard. “I’ve been here a week and I’ve already slept in the common room because I could hear them in the walls.” Residents claim that they have had no responses from the University, despite them sending several emails. The students say they have also contacted ResLife and the main Fallowfield Campus reception regarding the issue. The flat is shared by thirty-two people, who share four toilets and four showers between them. The students, who are catered
for, pay £144 a week to live there. “You expect your uni halls to be a bit grotty, but not like this,” said Anya Lyons, a first year Politics and Economics student. “This is too much. “Pest control said it will take five weeks to make a dent in the population. I don’t want to live for five weeks in fear.” “The thing is, [the University] obviously were aware. Even if it was just one cleaner that went to the shop and bought some traps, someone was aware. It makes me angry, they must be breaking some kind of rule.” The students said they felt torn between wanting to move accommodation and also wanting to stay together. They told The Mancunion that they wanted financial compensation for the situation: “Ideally I want a rent reduction, but you actually live in fear. I hate bugs, but they’ve been really sneaky about it, they’ve allowed us all to become friends so we don’t want to move because they wouldn’t put all of us together.” Honor commented. “Even like £20 a week off, just something, a gesture would help. We just feel like they don’t really care.” added Anya. Another student in the flat reported that her room had flooded during the course of the week. “A gutter broke, and there was water all over my room, soaked into my carpet.” she told The Mancunion. “At first they said they were going to move me but they came back and said there were no spare rooms. All they did was give me towels.” The residents then showed us a recently recorded video of another flat in Little Court that appeared to show sewage coming from the taps. One girl had opted to leave the flat because of the conditions. Rebecca Hopkins, a first year PPE student from the flat with the broken taps, told us that that the problem had started last week. “I’d say it’s a mix of food and sewage [coming out the taps]. We were told it would be dealt with the night it started and it wasn’t. Then they said they’d deal with it in two days, but all they’ve done is put signs over the taps saying to not use them.” Flatmate Annie Lamb added: “I feel like we pay the most out of anyone. There have been quite a few issues so far, we just want some money back.” Students expressed views about Little Court being unfit for
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Photo: Nicole Wooton-Cane Cockroache photo: kasya @ pixabay
Anti-immigration stickers Clapping banned at SU placed across campus events Page 2
purpose; “I read that the new development is a multi-million pound project,” Anya said, “So I just feel like they’re trying to squeeze the rent out of us. They don’t take the issue with the cockroaches seriously because we’re the last year that will have to deal with them.” A University spokesperson has responded, saying: “The University is committed to giving all students the best possible service in all of our halls and we will react quickly to any maintenance requests. There is currently no planned demolition date for Owens Park and we have continued to invest in Owens Park, including a refurbishment of areas of the hall in Summer 2018. “In Flat x [redacted], prior to current residents arriving in September there were no reports of the presence of cockroaches. The area concerned has previously been treated for cockroaches, and traps are left for monitoring purposes as part of our housing management practice. Following the reports received the University has been working with its pest contractor to eradicate the problem.
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Student accommodation covered in Grenfell-style cladding Page 3
“Britain’s losing its mind”
15th October 2018 / Issue 5
WWW.MANCUNION.COM
Ker-ching!
Exclusive: Uni staff credit card expenses revealed
Clap-gate takes world by storm
Ethan Davies and Amy Wei Editor-in-Chief and Deputy Editor A global media storm has followed the Senate motion to “swap audible clapping out for British Sign Language (BSL) clapping at SU events”. First shared by BBC North West’s Twitter account, The Mancunion’s story went on to the front pages of national UK newspapers, prime-time television, and even international news The University of Manchester Students’ Union’s (SU) policy caught the eye of national UK newspapers such as The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, The i, The Sun, The Daily Star, The Daily Express, Metro, and The Times. Internationally, ABC News picked up the story after one-time Presidential candidate Jeb Bush tweeted the story, writing: “Not cool, University of Manchester. Not cool.” It was also covered by Russia’s Sputnik International, and Australian radio station 3AWRadio. Good Morning Britain co-host Piers Morgan tweeted eight times about the SU policy and its fallout. His seminal tweet, on Tuesday 2nd October, screenshotted The Mancunion’s original story with the caption: “Britain’s losing its mind.” The tweet gained over 18,000 likes and over 4,000 retweets in two days. Piers Morgan debated SU Exec International Students Officer Riddi Viswanathan on the show on Tuesday morning. In the same show, he asked celebrity businessman Lord Alan Sugar what he thought about the SU’s move, to which The Apprentice host retorted: “Well you have always attracted the clap haven’t you.” Morgan was forced to apologise on air to “anyone offended” by Lord Sugar’s lewd joke.
The original policy, proposed to Senate by Liberation & Access Exec Officer Sara Khan, resolved: “to swap audible clapping out for BSL clapping at SU events in order to make them more accessible”, and secondly, “to encourage student groups and societies to do the same, and to include BSL clapping as a part of inclusion training.” However, the SU have since released an official statement that they “are not banning audible clapping” and that the policy resolves to “encourage British Sign Language (BSL) clapping during our democratic events only.” Sara Khan commented on the media storm by saying: “The thing about this position is that intellectually I think that we know that things will get covered, but until a few months ago when we had the media explosion over the poetry — I think that was the first time I realised that people outside of the University and Manchester would care about what we were doing. I’ve been bombarded with media requests, emails, and tweets constantly. “We’ve had quite a few students email us personally, or tweet at us, or comment on things, saying that they have issues like autism or sensory issues and they’re really happy to see this in place. It makes them feel like they want to take part because their concerns are being taken into account. One person told me, ‘I’ve never taken part in SU democracy before but now I want to’, which is really cool. “Something I’ve found really bizarre is that... most of the abuse I received wasn’t [racially charged], but some of them were. They commented on the fact that I was gay or Pakistani. “ Riddi Viswanathan remarked that “this week has been an extremely busy, but a fun-filled and thought-provoking one. One big lesson learnt is how the media blow very small issues up in order to
match their narrative and get across the points they believe in and label us as snowflakes. “What has been heartwarming is students who have never spoken up, to speak up and recognise their disabilities and see the SU as a place for them. Also it’s extremely encouraging to see many other Unions to so want to experiment with BSL clapping in their democratic events – the University of Bedfordshire equality team have been supportive of using BSL and making democratic events more accessible.” Student supporters of the motion include Jasmine, a second year French and Spanish undergrad said: “I might have thought it was a joke initially, but [I am] someone with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and anxiety. When we get stressed, the hypersensitivity that people with ASD experience means that unexpected, loud or unpleasant sounds can become magnified and trigger intense reactions like panic attacks, ticks and, in cases such as mine, dissociation and seizures. “Once people adapt to the idea, I don’t think not clapping is a massive sacrifice to pay for increased accessibility and sensitivity to those who would benefit from it.” Students remain divided on the issue however, with Sarah commenting: “there are so many other issues pertaining to inclusion of people with disabilities and minorities that the SU can address.“’Suggestions’ such as these just further seek to isolate people by calling things out that many people of their targeted demographic don’t have an issue with. This is a classic example of people creating issues of ‘broken things’ instead of actively seeking out and fixing things that are truly wrong.”
Clap-gate: The Mancunion’s SU International University calls for ban on essay view Officer abused online mills Page 2
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Nicole Wootton-Cane Head News Editor Staff have spent over £4 million on official University of Manchester credit and purchasing cards so far this year, The Mancunion has learned. Data revealed by a Freedom of Information request (FOI) made by The Mancunion shows staff used these cards to pay for expenses such as clothing, entertainment, and private childcare. Students shared concerns about what they described as “frustrating but unsurprising” costs. The University responded calling all approved transactions “proportionate and for legitimate business purposes.” One payment of £120 was made to a private nanny agency in London, whilst another showed nearly £4,500 being sent to a Hong Kong private members sports and social club. Collectively, £1,425 has been spent on LEGO since January, with one purchase alone at £576. Other purchases include nearly £200 at tailor Moss Bros, and £1,882 at The Crystal Maze, Manchester. In New York City, employees spent over £5,000 over two visits to an expensive steak house. Other payments were spent on leisure such as Netflix and Spotify subscriptions, £60 on Cath Kidston online, and £375 on meal replacement drink Huel. Hotel bills featured prominently, with UoM staff racking up a bill of over £69,000 in The Cumberland Hotel, and £60,000 in the Melia White House Hotel, London, between January and late September this year. The data also appeared to show £1,838 in payments to the Conservative Party during this time. The university attributed these
costs to “Entry to/advertising at party conferences” — no payments to other political parties were evident. Second-year Law with Politics student Becca Windsor De Taboada said: “That makes me furious. Honestly, as students we fork out a lot of money for the university, and seeing it go to things like this makes my blood boil. “I had the opportunity to listen to Nancy Rothwell speak to the law faculty and reps last year, where she mentioned the efforts they were taking to avoid cutting pensions and come to a diplomatic agreement with the UCU. The fact that so much money is being wasted when staff are actively having their pensions and pay cut shows a lack of perspective. “The University is a place for academic research and education. It is not an excuse to spend £5,000 on steak.” A University spokesperson said: “All approved claims at the University are proportionate and for legitimate business purposes which include travel, conferences, teaching, and research. For instance, the claims highlighted by The Mancunion for LEGO were used to buy materials for outreach activities for young people.” The private nanny agency was described as “Support for staff with caring responsibilities to enable them to attend a laboratory meeting on an exceptional basis”, and the transaction at Hong Kong Football Club as “Conferencing venue hire for an alumni reception.” The LEGO purchases were attributed to “Robotics research/ outreach activities”, and Moss Bros was used for “Formal attire for university event.” Payments at The Crystal Maze were for “Teambuilding activities”. £2,350 has been spent at a variety of wine merchants since January, a cost which the University told us went towards “Gifts for
visiting speakers/wine glass hire for events.” Second-year, English Literature and American Studies student Liv Stringer told us: “This makes me feel extremely angry, especially since as an English student I’m paying £9,000 for nine hours of teaching a week, and we have to spend hundreds of pounds a year on buying our own books.” The University also included purchasing card guidance notes with the FOI, which tells staff to avoid “payments for goods /services through PayPal.” Despite this, over 500 purchases have been made through PayPal since January, calling into question the scrutiny purchases are put under. The university defended the transactions, stating: “Paypal can be used as a payment platform, for instance where the purchase method being offered only has ‘use Paypal’ as a payment option.” The findings at a time when UCU lecturers are balloting on whether to strike over pay. The ballot, which closes on October 19th, comes after lengthy strikes by UCU members last academic year over a pensions dispute. Some students questioned the university’s priorities, especially regarding their willingness to spend on entertainment, dining and leisure, whilst arguably neglecting staff’s wages. The University said there are currently 243 active Purchasing cards and 289 active Corporate Credit Cards. They confirmed that no action had been taken over the purchases made: “No procurement card or corporate credit card holder has been reprimanded over the use of their card. “Established processes exist to ensure that all transactions are bona fide and as per University regulations.”
Burnham announces new uni Mancunian congestion Universities target ‘superstar’ zone charge debated professors in bid to boost rankings mental health services Page 3 Page 4
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Nicole Wootton-Cane and Ethan Davies Head News Editor and Editor-in-Chief T h e re s u l t s o f t h e U n ive r s i t i e s a n d C o l l e ge U n i o n ( U C U ) l at e s t s t r i ke b a l l o t a re d u e t o b e a n n o u n ce d t h i s we e k , w i t h t h e p ro p o s e d i n d u s t r i a l a c t i o n p o t e n t i a l ly c a u s i n g d i s r u p t i o n fo r s t u d e n t s a c ro s s t h e U K . T h e b a l l o t , wh i c h c l o s e d o n F r i d ay, c a m e a b o u t a f t e r U C U m e m b e rs vo t e d t o re j e c t t h e U n ive r s i t i e s a n d C o l l e ge s E m p l oye rs A s s o c i a t i o n’s ( U C E A ) o f fe r o f a 2 % p ay i n c re a s e . A n at i o nw i d e re s u l t i s e x p e c t e d t o b e a n n o u n ce d o n M o n d ay. L e c t u re r s a rg u e t h a t t h e p ay o f fe r fa l l s s h o r t a n d d o e s n o t ke e p u p w i t h t h e ra t e o f i n f l a t i o n . T h e d i s p u t e fo l l ows l e n g t hy s t r i ke s l a s t a c a d e m i c ye a r ove r m e m b e r s ’ p e n s i o n s , wh i c h l e d t o we e k s o f c a n ce l l e d l e c t u re s . T h e i s s u e co n t i n u e s t o d iv i d e s t u d e nt s . S e co n d -ye a r Po l i t i c s a n d I n t e r n a t i o n a l Re l at i o n s s t u d e nt To b i a s S o a r s a i d : “ P u s h i n g a s i d e t h e t h o u g h t o f £ 9 k a ye a r o f fe e s , u l t i m a t e ly, m o s t p e o p l e a re h e re t o l e a r n . I wa nt t o g a i n a d e e p, n u a n ce d u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f p o l it i c s . T h e s e s t r i ke s i n f r i n ge o u r r i g ht t o e d u c a t i o n . ” “ T h e U C U i s d o i n g s o c i e t y a d i s s e r v i ce by c h u r n i n g o u t u n p re p a re d a n d n o t- e n t i re ly- e d u c a t e d u n d e rg ra d u at e s i nt o t h e wo rl d . E ve n i f u n ive r s i t y wa s f re e I wo u l d b e f u r i o u s : I ’ m h e re t o l e a r n a n d my r i g h t t o d o s o i s b e i n g v i o l at e d by t h e s t r i ke s . ”
S e co n d -ye a r H i s t o r y s t u d e n t Ke l l e r C a n n o n t o l d u s : “ I ’ m i n t h e m i n o r i t y b e c a u s e I d i d n’ t m i n d t h e m s t r i k i n g a t a l l l a s t ye a r e ve n w i t h a s l o n g a s i t l a s t e d a n d I ’d s u p p o r t a s t r i ke ove r p ay. ” “ U n ive r s i t y l e c t u re r s a n d t e a c h e r s i n ge n e ra l a re wh o l ly u n d e ra p p re c i at e d a n d I t h i n k w i t h h ow m u c h Vi ce C h a n ce l l o r s h ave b e e n k n ow n t o e a r n a p ay r i s e fo r t h o s e i n t h e t h i c k o f i t i s n o t u n re a s o n a b l e . I t ’s a s h a m e t h e y h ave t o re s o r t t o s t r i k i n g a n d I fe e l b a d fo r t h o s e d o i n g t h e i r d i s s e r t a t i o n d u r i n g s t r i ke s b u t p e rs o n a l ly I ’ l l b e a b l e t o co p e i f it ’s n e e d e d . ” U C U l e c t u re rs a re d e m a n d i n g t h a t t h e i r p ay i n c re a s e t o “c a t c h - u p” a n d “ ke e p - u p” w it h i n f l a t i o n . T h ey a rg u e t h at s i n ce 2 0 0 9, t h e i r p ay h a s d e c l i n e d by n e a rly 2 0 % i n re a l t e r m s . I n t h e i r c l a i m , U C U s ay: “C u r re n t ly 1 0, 14 4 s t a f f e a r n b e l ow t h e Acc re d i t e d L iv i n g Wa ge , a l m o s t d o u b l e t h e n u m b e r e a r n i n g a b ove £ 1 0 0,0 0 0 p e r ye a r. ” T h e i r c l a i m a l s o a d d re s s e s t h e ge n d e r p ay g a p, s t at i n g : “ W h i l s t t h e ge n d e r p ay g a p i n h i g h e r e d u c at i o n m ay h ave re d u ce d , t h e re i s s t i l l a s i g n i f i c a n t p ro b l e m t h at n e e d s t o b e a d d re s s e d w i t h a n ove ra l l m e d i a n s e c t o r p ay g a p o f 1 2 . 2 % a n d a m e a n s e c t o r g a p o f 1 2 .0 % fo r a c a d e m i c s t a f f a n d g a p s o f 1 1 . 1% ( m e d i a n ) a n d 9. 9 % ( m e a n ) fo r p ro fe s s i o n a l s u p p o r t s t a f f. ” A U C E A s p o ke s p e r s o n s a i d : “ I t i s d i s a p p o i nt i n g fo r a l l i n t h e s e c t o r t h a t , a f t e r e x t e n d e d t a l k s ove r t h e s p r i n g a n d s u m m e r a n d a ge n u i n e a t t e m p t t o a d d re s s t h e u n i o n s ’ co n ce r n s t h ro u g h j o i n t wo rk i n g p ro p o s a l s , U C U i s b a l l o t i n g i t s m e m b e rs fo r i n d u s t r i a l a c t i o n . We
Fallowfield Loop cycling protest gains national attention Page 2
State of the city report Page 3
In Conversation with HMLTD: 18
Inside Culture: 15
5th November 2018 / Issue 7
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Strike vote Budget splits “neglects” students students
Lecturers vote on action over pay a dv i s e d o u r e m p l oye rs t h at t h e p ay o u t co m e fo r 2 0 1 8 1 9 b e i m p l e m e nt e d a s e m p l oye rs d o n o t fe e l it r i g ht t o m a ke e m p l oye e s wa it t o re ce ive t h e i r s i g n i f i c a nt p ay i n c re a s e fo r t h e s eve ra l m o re m o nt h s . ” S t u d e nt s re m a i n d iv i d e d o n t h e i s s u e , w it h m a ny vo i c i n g a n ge r a b o u t f u r t h e r d i s r u p t i o n t o t h e i r e d u c at i o n . O n e s t u d e nt , wh o c h o s e t o s t ay a n o ny m o u s , t o l d u s : “ I fe e l fo r £ 9,0 0 0 we a l re a dy (w it h o u t a vo i ce t o d e c i d e o n wh at t o p ay) p ay fa r t o o m u c h fo r t h e co nt a c t h o u rs we re ce ive d s o it i s u n fa i r a n d we s h o u l d n’ t b e t h e o n e s s u f fe r i n g . ” H oweve r, o t h e r s t u d e nt s we re m o re s y m p at h e t i c t o t h e c a u s e . Re ce nt Z o o l o g y g ra d u at e Kayl e i g h L e e S i m i o n t o l d u s : “ I t h i n k t h e a n ge r i s m i s d i re c t e d . We s h o u l d n’ t b e a n g r y at t h e l e c t u re rs wh o a re s t r i k i n g . T h ey a re s t r i k i n g ove r t h e i r p ay a n d p e n s i o n s a f t e r a l l , it ’s a m at t e r o f t h e m e a r n i n g e n o u g h l ive o n . O u r a n ge r s h o u l d b e d i re c t e d at t h e U n ive rs it y a n d h i g h e r m a n a ge m e nt , wh o h ave fa i l e d i n t h e i r t a l k s w it h t h e UC U, re s u l t i n g i n t h e s t r i ke . “ We s h o u l d b e a n g r y at t h e U n ive rs it y b e i n g r u n m o re l i ke a b u s i n e s s t h a n a p l a ce fo r h i g h e r e d u c at i o n , p r i o r i t i s i n g p ro f it s i n s t e a d o f t e a c h i n g , re s u l t i n g i n t h e m b e i n g re l u c t a nt t o g ive l e c t u re rs t h e p e n s i o n s a n d wa ge s t h ey d e s e r ve . A n d we s h o u l d b e a n g r y at t h e v i ce c h a n ce l l o rs wh o s it o n £ 2 0 0 k + a ye a r wh i l s t t h e re s t o f t h e s t a f f a re u n d e r p a i d a n d u n d e ra p p re c i at e d . ” T h e U n ive rs it y h ave d e c l i n e d t o co m m e nt u nt i l t h e re s u l t i s a n n o u n ce d .
Third of students risk mental health disorders due to financial struggles Page 4
Opinion - Pablo An Ode to The Font, Neruda’s legacy: 23 Fallowfield: 27
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S t ude nt s’ Un ion Ac t iv it ie s O f f ice r L i z z y H aug hton is one of eight people arre sted following a climate change prote st in central Manche ster last weekend. S i x w o m e n a n d t w o m e n h a v e b e e n c h a rg e d w it h a l lege d ly “ w i l f u l ly o b st r uc t i ng t he h ig hway” d u r i n g t h e p r o t e s t , w h i c h w a s h e l d o n S a t u r d a y, 2 4 t h November by campaign group Extinction Rebellion. Another of the arre sted has a connection to the U n i v e r s i t y o f M a n c h e s t e r, a s C e r i - B e t h M i s e r o y i s a r e s i d e n t o f t h e U n i v e r s i t y ’s r e s i d e n t i a l c a m p u s O a k Hou s e i n Fa l low f ie ld . Police said that shortly after 3pm they re sponded to the scene after a number of people had been r e p o r t e d b l o c k i n g t h e r o a d s i n M a n c h e s t e r. The road block was part of a planned march through t he c ity ce nt re, wh ich a l s o i nclude d a “ m a s s d ie - i n” at S t A n n ’s S q u a r e t o “ m o u r n a l l t h e l i f e w e ’ v e l o s t , a r e los i ng a nd a re st i l l to los e due to cl i m ate bre a kdow n” . Some students told The Mancunion that they s u p p o r t e d H a u g h t o n ’s a c t i o n s ; s e c o n d - y e a r E n g l i s h a n d H i s t o r y s t u d e n t N a t t y W i l l e t t s s a i d : “ I t ’s a t o t a l waste of precious police time and re s ource s. Distrust
Headlines this week
LGB students risk of suicide and self-harm Page 2
Shivani Kaura Deputy News Editor Figures released by left-leaning think tank IPPR North show that those living in the North have under half the amount of money spent per person on transport than those living in London. London has seen an increase of £326 per person in public transport spending, whereas the North has seen an increase of only £146. George Osborne, ex-chancellor and now a guest lecturer at UoM, instigated the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ plan five years ago with aims to close the gap between the North-South divide.
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Government sets out measures to curb grade inflation Page 3
Inside Culture: 15
Burnham begs for transport powers Page 3
A Brief Inquiry Into The 1975: 17
Manchester into last 16 of University Challenge Page 6
Everyone Can Interview: 19
Uni Food Christmas Special: 27
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10th December 2018 / Issue 12
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Postgrad Exec Officer introduced
Nicole Wootton-Cane and Sam Honey News Editors
In a meeting cut short by low attendance and dominated by sustainability motions, last Thursday saw the third Students’ Union (SU) S enate of the a c a d e m i c y e a r. The meeting began with the team of Exec officers reporting back to Senate on progress on t h e i r p r i o r i t i e s f r o m t h e s t a r t o f t h e a c a d e m i c y e a r. We l f a r e O f f i c e r D e e j M a l i k -J o h n s o n d i d n o t report back, due to arriving late to Senate. T he l a rge st i s sue on t he age nd a wa s a con st it ut ion a l ch a nge t h at wou ld a l low t he me rg i ng o f t h e C o m m u n i t y, C a m p a i g n s , a n d C i t i z e n s h i p O f f i c e r r o l e a n d t h e We l f a r e O f f i c e r r o l e t o o p e n up funding for the creation of a new Postgraduate O f f i c e r.
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Headlines this week
Ethan Davies Editor-in-Chief A combination of rising costs and the cap on tuition fees has burned a hole in the University of Manchester’s finances. The latest accounts show its operating surplus – the equivalent of a profit, and described by the University as a “key measure of financial performance” – fell by nearly £40m to £25m in the year to July. This meant it missed a key target – a surplus of 5-7% of total income. Last year the surplus fell from 6.3% of turnover to 2.4%. It still has £315m in cash reserves, although this figure shrank by £70m, mainly due to building projects. In the report president and vice chancellor Prof Dame Nancy Rothwell said it had been a “challenging year” for all universities and added: “We must address the level of our surplus to ensure the sustainability of our university.” Edward Astle, chair of the Board of Governors said: “Some actions have already been taken, and others are in hand, to bring our operating surplus back to our target range of 5–7% of income.” The Mancunion asked the University how it was planning to increase the surplus. In a statement a spokesman said: “With an increasing number of external challenges facing the sector, like many other institutions across the country, Manchester is looking to improve its efficiency and effectiveness.
“Our funding comes from a wide variety of sources, including student fees, research and government grants, and much more modest revenues earned from activities like conferences and catering. This income is then invested in many different ways back into the University. “However, our financial objective, as ever, remains the same – achieving long-term financial sustainability and maintaining our strategic goals, including year-on-year income growth and delivering an operating surplus to reinvest into our University.” In the report, the University described the shrinking surplus as, “a product of continuing growth in staff costs whilst the external environment prevents a rise in the Home Undergraduate Tuition fee and many research funders will not pay the full costs incurred by the University.” It added: “The University has limited influence over the continued growth in wages and salaries, as this is driven by contractual increments and the national pay award. We have also seen a £4.4m increase in voluntary severance costs as a result of our strategic initiatives.” The accounts show the University’s income rose by 5%, to £1,05bn, in part down to fees from international students. Debt fell slightly to £403m and the pension deficit was down 22% to £221.6m.
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Over 80% of UoM 1/4 uni applicants Graduates ‘struggling’ students awarded get unconditional with debt beyond tuition offers a First or 2:1 Page 6 Page 5
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19th November 2018 / Issue 9
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Inside Culture: 15
Manchester SU “ready Two-tier tuition 9 in 10 students believe to help” financially fees on the cards GM Police ‘don’t do enough’ to protect women struggling NUS Page
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The Japanese House Interview: 18
Manchester 2019 gaming preview: 19
In Conversation with Martin Parr: 25
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Stagecoach branded ‘unacceptable’ T h e U n ive rs it y o f M a n c h e s t e r S t u d e nt s ’ U n i o n h a s t a ke n a i m at b u s p rov i d e r S t a ge co a c h , a cc u s i n g o n e o f it s key s e r v i ce s o f d e c l i n i n g t o ‘ u n a cce p t a b l e s t a n d a rd s ’ . C o n ce r n s h ave b e e n ra i s e d s u r ro u n d i n g t h e p o p u l a r 14 7 b u s ro u t e wh i c h i s r u n by S t a ge co a c h a n d p a r t ly s u b s i d e d by t h e U n ive rs it y o f M a n c h e s t e r. T h e re h ave a l s o b e e n a cc u s a t i o n s l e ve l l e d a g a i n s t s o m e o f t h e d r ive rs wo rk i n g o n t h e 14 7 b u s ro u t e re g a rd i n g c u s t o m e r s e r v i ce wh e n d e a l i n g w i t h i nt e r n at i o n a l s t u d e nt s . Ad d it i o n a l ly, ove rc rowd i n g o n t h e 14 7 b u s d u r i n g p e a k h o u rs i s s a i d t o c a u s e p a r t i c u l a r p ro b l e m s fo r t h o s e w it h a cce s s i b i l it y a n d m o b i l i t y issues. O l iv i a M e i s l , U n ive rs it y o f M a n c h e s t e r S t u d e n t s ’ U n i o n E d u c at i o n O f f i ce r, h a s b e e n i n d i s c u s s i o n s w i t h S t a ge co a c h a n d i s s e t t o m e e t t h e m eve r y s i x we e k s “ u nt i l t h e s e r v i ce i m p rove s ” . D u r i n g h e r Nove m b e r re p o r t t o S e n a t e , t h e h i g h e s t d e c i s i o n - m a k i n g b o dy at t h e S t u d e nt s U n i o n , s h e s a i d t h at t h e 14 7 s e r v i ce h a d “d e c l i n e d t o u n a cce p t a b l e
Also In This Issue
s t a n d a rd s ” a n d t h at re q u e s t s h a d b e e n m a d e fo r d r ive r s t o “ u n d e rgo c u s t o m e r c a re t ra i n i n g p a r t i c u l a rly co n ce r n i n g i nt e r n a t i o n a l s t u d e n t s . ” O l iv i a t o l d T h e M a n c u n i o n : “ S t u d e n t s a n d s t a f f i n c l u d i n g mys e l f [ h ave ] n o t e d s e ve ra l i n c i d e nt s wh e re d r ive r s h a d b e e n r u d e i n re l a t i o n t o i nt e r n a t i o n a l students. “ Now t h a t S t a ge co a c h h a s t h e ro u t e , t h e d r ive r s a re re g u l a rly s wa p p e d a n d d o n o t [ s t ay] o n t h e s a m e ro u t e , t h i s l e s s e n s t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o b u i l d ra p p o r t o r b u i l d o n k n owl e d ge o f h ow b e s t t o i n t e ra c t w it h t h e m a ny i n t e r n a t i o n a l s t u d e nt s t h at u s e t h e 14 7 s e r v i ce . ” O l iv i a s a i d t h at s h e co u l d n’ t co m m e n t o n t h e s t a n d a rd o f o t h e r S t a ge co a c h b u s e s a s t h e 14 7 i s t h e o n ly o n e p a r t ly- f u n d e d by t h e U n ive r s it y a n d t h e o n ly o n e t h a t t h e S t u d e nt s ’ U n i o n h ave re ce ive d d i re c t co m p l a i n t s a b o u t . T h e 14 7 b u s ro u t e c a m e u n d e r t h e co n t ro l o f S t a ge co a c h i n S e p t e m b e r a n d i s f re e fo r s t a f f a n d s t u d e nt s f ro m t h e U n ive r s i t y o f M a n c h e s t e r t rave l l i n g b e t we e n S o u t h C a m p u s a n d No r t h C a m p u s . S t a ge co a c h i s o n e o f t h e l a rge s t b u s o p e ra t o r s i n M a n c h e s t e r a n d t h e i r b l u e a n d ye l l ow ‘ M a g i c B u s e s ’ a re i n s t a n t ly re co g n i s a b l e t o m o s t s t u d e n t s i n t h e c i t y.
Police have confirmed that a woman was raped on the Fallowfield Loop on Wednesday morning. The incident took place near the Sherwood Street area of the Loop, where police received reports of a concern for the welfare of a woman at approximately 4:50am. The woman, who is in her late teens, was said to be in a parked car with a male friend when they were threatened by two men wearing masks. One of them was believed to be carrying a gun. The woman ran from the car and hid at the entrance to the Fallowfield Loop, where she was raped by another man wearing a mask.
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The Mancunion investigates the University’s fossil fuel investments Page 7
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SU Gen Sec tells UoM well-being New UoM students to “step up software for the week begins ‘at risk’ and talk” Page 3
Investing in destruction
Woman raped by masked men on Fallowfield Loop
Nicole Wootton-Cane Head News Editor
New crossword! Page 14
Headlines From clap-gate cap-gate this week to Page 2
Shorter degrees UoM ranked 5th for could see reduced graduate emplyability in the UK tuition fees Page 5
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Uni fears Brexit impact Ex u ve How UoM p epa ng o a no dea B ex
The University of Manchester could struggle to recruit staff in the event of a nodeal Brexit, and has spoken to police about the possibility of civil unrest. A risk-assessment seen by The also highlights potential Mancunion problems with the movement of staff and students to and from the UK and says it’s “very likely” no-deal will hit fees from EU students. The ‘Extraordinary Risk Register’, obtained via a Freedom of Information request, sets out potential problems that the University might face if the UK crashes out of the EU without a deal on March 29th. The document appears to be the first of its kind and notes that contingency planning is now “necessary” in case there is no transition period after March 29th. According to the register, the University now thinks it’s “very likely” that a lack of clarity on immigration rules and an adverse immigration landscape in the event of a nodeal Brexit will have a “deleterious” impact on recruitment. It warns current EU staff could be left in a so-called “legal limbo”.
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The risk assessment notes that civil unrest could have a “major” impact but only classifies its likelihood as “possible” as opposed to “likely” or “very likely”. The University is liasing with the Students’ Union (SU) and “other authorities” regarding potential civil unrest. The document states the biggest risk to the University in likelihood and impact comes from additional costs and delays when importing goods due to new, complex regulations following no-deal. To reduce the risks related to the importing of goods, the institution will introduce new processes and attempt to avoid the immediate Brexit period when scheduling imports. According to the risk assessment, the University now believes it’s “very likely” that a no-deal Brexit would lead to an impact on income from EU student fees, noting that “funding arrangements will change from [academic year] 2020/2021 onwards.” The document obtained by The Mancunion is dated November 2018 and believed to have been drafted before the Prime Minister’s Withdrawal Agreement was finalised by the UK and the EU, and before this agreement was subsequently rejected in parliament in January by an historic margin. However,
upcoming Parliamentary votes seek to add on amendments to this Agreement which rule out the possibility of a no-deal Brexit. The University told The Mancunion that the “entire sector” is awaiting technical guidance from the government regarding the Erasmus scheme and that the university wanted to ensure that any possible disruption is kept to the ‘’absolute minimum”. Responding to the assessment, SU International Students Officer Riddi Viswanathan said: “The impact of a no-deal Brexit on EU international students and staff really concerns me. There is no clarity over what will happen to our Erasmus schemes, our research funding and through no-deal we are
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Delayed: your next train from Oxford Road
S t u d e nt s a t t h e U n ive rs it y o f M a n c h e s t e r h ave b e e n l e f t l a rge ly u n i m p re s s e d by t h e l at e s t B u d ge t , a n n o u n ce d l a s t we e k . A n d t h e h e a d o f t h e S t u d e nt s ’ U n i o n s a i d yo u n g p e o p l e h a d b e e n “ n e g l e c t e d ” by t h e C h a n ce l l o r P h i l i p H a m m o n d ’s e co n o m i c p l a n s wh i c h we re b u i l t o n B re x it u n ce r t a i nt y. T h e B u d ge t b ro u g ht i n a s u r p r i s e i n co m e t a x c u t , p ro m i s e d a n e x t ra £ 2 b i l l i o n t o i m p rove m e nt a l h e a l t h s e r v i ce s a n d i nt ro d u ce d a n ew n at i o nw i d e 2 6 - 3 0 ‘ m i l l e n i a l ’ ra i l c a rd , b u t fa i l e d t o a d d re s s i s s u e s m o s t re l eva nt t o s t u d e nt s . O n e s u c h i s s u e wa s t h e gove r n m e nt ’s re f u s a l t o re i n s t at e s t u d e nt m a i nt e n a n ce g ra nt s . T h e £ 3 , 3 87 p ay m e nt fo r s t u d e nt s f ro m p o o re r b a c k g ro u n d s wa s re p l a ce d by a l o a n i n 2 0 1 6 . H oweve r, it wa s n’ t i n c l u d e d i n M r H a m m o n d ’s s p e n d i n g p l a n s d e s p it e h i s re m a rk t h at “ a u s t e r it y wa s co m i n g t o a n e n d ” . L a b o u r ’s S h a d ow C h a n ce l l o r Jo h n McDonnell disputed this claim. D r R a f fa e l e Ro s s i , a S e n i o r L e c t u re r o f E co n o m i c s at t h e U n ive rs it y o f M a n c h e s t e r, s ays t h at “ i n t e r m s o f d ayt o d ay s p e n d i n g , p u b l i c s p e n d i n g i s go i n g t o i n c re a s e . B u t i n p e r c a p it a t e r m s , i .e . h ow m u c h t h e gove r n m e nt is spending on each of us, then public spending is we l l b e h i n d t h e l eve l s re a c h e d u n d e r t h e L a b o u r gove r n m e nt s o f M r B l a i r a n d M r B row n . ” “ W h at i s c l e a r i s t h at t h i s B u d ge t w i l l e n d o f a u s t e r it y fo r t h e N H S. W h at i s u n c l e a r i s wh at h a p p e n s t o o t h e r d e p a r t m e nt s . Fo r e x a m p l e , s o c i a l s e c u r it y b e n e f it s , i .e . p u b l i c p e n s i o n s , w i l l s e e f u r t h e r c u t s i n t h e n e x t f ive t o
Haughton one of eight charged for climate protest in the police is at an all-time high, and this arre st only fuels the fire. By arre sting peace ful prote stors, the police no longer repre s ent the protection of public s a f e t y. “ This arre st is a political statement against the s t u d e n t b o d y. I t s h o w s t h e p o l i c e f o r c e u n d e r m i n i n g the student body through arre sting one of our most s e n i o r r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s . I t ’s a f o r m o f c e n s o r s h i p . ” H o w e v e r, o t h e r s , s u c h a s s e c o n d - y e a r M e d i c a l Biochemistry student Bradley Brennan, h ave expre ss ed concerns over the arre st. Brennan said that he “sympathis ed with the me ssage of the prote st”, but was “very surpris ed that an exec officer would partake and further get arre sted”. Extinction Rebellion is a campaign by the RisingUP ! network, who “aim to promote a fundamental change of our political and economic system to one which m a x i m i s e s we l l- b e i ng a nd m i n i m i s e s h a r m” . S eve ra l prote st s by E xt i nc t ion Re b e l l ion h ave a l s o been held in L ondon over the last month, with the BBC reporting more than 60 arre sts being made over acts of civil obedience. A l l e ig ht of t he a r re ste d h ave b e e n b a i le d to app e a r at Manche ster magistrate s court on January 3rd.
The Big Feature Stan Lee BBC Introducing: 18 Remembered: 21
Inside Culture: 15
In Defence of the Cupcake Feminist: 27
Philip Hammond. Photo: Chatham House @Flickr.
s i x ye a rs . ” O n l i n e , s t u d e nt s re a c t e d t o t h e l a c k o f s t u d e n tfo c u s e d a n n o u n ce m e nt s w it h a m i xe d re s p o n s e , w it h M it c h e l l C a rey co m m e n t i n g : “ T h e y d o n’ t c a re a b o u t s t u d e nt s at a l l . My w i fe [ a n i n t e r n a t i o n a l s t u d e nt ] p a i d fo r u n i u p f ro nt , b o o s t i n g t h e e co n o my a n d s t i l l h a d t o l e ave t h e co u nt r y, eve n t h o u g h I m a ke way m o re t h a n e n o u g h . U n l e s s yo u h ave £ 6 3 ,0 0 0 i n s av i n g s n o t m ov i n g i n yo u r b a n k , yo u h ave t o l e ave . I t ’s a j o ke . ” C h a rl i e C h i l t o n a d d e d : “ T h e k i d s f ro m we a l t hy b a c k g ro u n d s w i l l ke e p go i n g t o u n ive r s i t y a n d k i d s f ro m Shivani Kaura p o o r fa m i l i e s w i l l s t a r t t o l o s e h o p e o f ge t t i n g a d e g re e Deputy News Editor a n d it ’ l l b e l e s s l i ke ly t h a t t h e y ’ l l b e a b l e t o c h a n ge t h e i r s it u at i o n . ” Data collected and published in a survey by consumer’s H oweve r, a n o t h e r s t u d e n t , Jo s h u a , s a i d , “o f co u rs e association Which? has revealed that Manchester Oxford Road s t u d e nt s wo u l d b a c k a m a i n t e n a n ce g ra n t . F re e m o n ey. ” is the UKs worst train station for cancellations and delays D r Ro s s i b e l i e ve s t h a t , “ i n t h i s b u d ge t , t h e m a i n outside of London. i s s u e . . . i s t h e gove r n m e n t d e f i c i t ” . The survey shows that 68% of services departing from H e s a i d : “ P u b l i c d e b t m e a n s t h a t t h e gove r n m e n t i s Oxford Road station were late, with 5% of services being b o r row i n g a g a i n s t f u t u re i n co m e . S t u d e n t s a re t h e o n e s cancelled between January and September of this year. wh o w i l l p ro d u ce t h i s f u t u re i n co m e , s o [ a n i n c re a s e ] i n Following in sixth place is Manchester Piccadilly, with 56% gove r n m e nt d e f i c it s i m p l i e s m ove m e n t i n t a xe s o f f u t u re of trains arriving late to designated platforms and 4% of trains wo rke rs . I n t h i s re s p e c t , t h e gove r n m e n t a n n o u n ce d a cancelled. re d u c t i o n i n it s b o r row i n g i n t h e m e d i u m t e r m s , s ay 5 -1 0 Manchester Victoria comes in eighth, with just over half of ye a rs . Re d u c i n g d e f i c it m e a n s t h a t s t u d e n t s w i l l p ay trains being late and 4% cancelled. l owe r t a xe s i n t h e f u t u re . S o t h i s i s go o d n e ws . ” Manchester Oxford Road is situated just north of the T h e U n ive rs it y o f M a n c h e s t e r S t u d e n t s ’ U n i o n ( S U ) University of Manchester, Royal Northern College of Music, and G e n e ra l S e c re t a r y Fat i m a A b i d h a d a l e s s p o s i t ive Manchester Metropolitan University. outlook. “O n ce a g a i n s t u d e nt s a n d yo u n g p e o p l e h ave b e e n n e g l e c t e d by a B u d ge t wh i c h i s b u i l t o n a wo rl d o f u n ce r t a i nt y. T h e u n k n ow n co n s e q u e n ce s o f B re x i t wh i c h we k n ow w i l l h ave d e e p e r i m p a c t s o n o u r ge n e ra t i o n t h a n o t h e rs n e e d t o b e m a d e c l e a re r.
Ethan Davies Editor-in-Chief
SU Exec Officer Arrested Nicole Wootton-Cane Head News Editor
Linder In Profile: 25
Student leaders unimpressed by Hammond
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3rd December 2018 / Issue 11
It’s Sexist, But... tackling misogynistic writers: 23
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22nd October 2018 / Issue 6
Inside Culture: 15
Together in Electric dreams? AI Art: 25
Peterloo Review: 21
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From Issue 1 to Issue 20, thank you for reading The Mancunion this year. We’ll be back in September with a new team, new stories, but the same great paper.
“This is Manchester, we do things differently here” – Anthony H. Wilson.
Lifestyle 29
ISSUE 20 / 18th March 2019 WWW.MANCUNION.COM
Alice Crowley Contributor
How to save a city from heartbreak Relationships are rooted in the locations we share. Alice Crowley writes a love letter to Manchester, the city which kept her safe through a tumultuous break-up
I got back to Manchester on Sunday, climbed the stairs to my flat, unlocked my bedroom door and was instantly greeted by last year’s Valentine’s Day card and a few Polaroids of him on the wall. Erghhh. I mumbled several expletives and reached for my phone. Then, I texted Will, asking him to come round as soon as possible. I needed someone to ‘desensitise’ my room. Seconds later, I received the response: “I’m coming now”. Surviving heartbreak “takes a village”, says Lindsay Holland, and I am inclined to agree. I had been at home for a week at my parents’ house, to sort out the mess of the break-up. I had very little intention of going back to Manchester. Home was safe. I did not have to explain myself to anyone, nor did I have to maintain my weekly routine. That would do, I thought, at least for the foreseeable future. I thought that was what I needed. But that week, I knew my mum was skirting around the big question: “When are you going back to university?” A lot of friends would ask me that in the following days. One friend did when she took me for dinner the day after it all ended, repeatedly telling me I was putting myself first and how great that really was. She made a promise to come up to Manchester the following week, knowing I needed encouragement. That same day, I received a text from Will: “Let me know when you need/want me and I’ll be there… Just come home when you are ready.” But Manchester had not felt like home. The relationship had been a long-distance one. I was in Manchester, he was in London. I had spent the last two years as a ball in a Manchester Piccadilly/London Euston table tennis grand slam. Continually, I had shot across the bleary English countryside, back and forth, charting the gap between North and South more times than I care to mention. I had spent more of my weekends in London with him than I had in Manchester. If called upon, I could describe the interior of a Virgin train in excruciatingly fine detail and I am now even certain of my favourite seat combination.* (*Forward-facing window seat — and a proper window, not the corner end — without a table, and close to the baggage racks. Ideally situated in coaches D or E, but this could be forgiven.) I regularly deserted the city I had once been so desperate to be a part of. I would leave Manchester Piccadilly carrying guilt along with my weekend bag. As the train pulled
out from the station, I would find myself half apologising to the tops of the Principle Hotel or the Hilton strutting out in the skyline. I had promised to stay longer this time, to get to know them better. But he had work commitments and I agreed to go down to London this time. And the next time. And the time after that. I would keep my head sheepishly lowered until I made it safely past Macclesfield. I was cheating the city that had accepted me. When I was not neglecting Manchester, I was sharing it with him. I never considered whether it wanted to be shared, or whether I was meant to be forging and nurturing my own relationship with the city. I made Manchester a permanent third wheel as I paraded him around The Lowry, Affleck’s or Salford Lads’ Club. The relationship was complicated from all angles. Will arrived at my flat in the time it took me to take the Polaroids down from the wall. I shoved them into a drawer (they’re too expensive to bin) and I shoved the card into a black bag. “Is that it? I was hoping for something a bit more dramatic,” he said, slightly disappointed. But it did not need to be dramatic, or damning. I was out the other side of it the moment I stepped off the train. Manchester had flicked the switch. He was not to blame, and nor was I. We had coped, but we were not happy, fighting from opposing ends of the M1. In all this time Manchester has never changed, but I see it differently now. Now, I can go to The Lowry entirely consumed by the landscapes of the city without thinking of him. I can pass Chinatown without wincing at the memory of a particularly bad argument we had on the street outside a karaoke bar. (I should have known it was over as we shouted above a tone-deaf rendition of Queen’s ‘I Want to Break Free’. Or at least seen the signs, perhaps.) Now, I can laugh. Particularly when I pass the same lit-up joint late at night, as a friend proclaims: “Karaoke sucks, doesn’t it?” I still take the train from Manchester Piccadilly but instead of heading south, I go up: to Leeds, York or Durham. I’m learning to nurture the North. I have strikingly little time left with it now. Right now, I am in my final semester of final year, and I need to absorb the grandeur of the Principle Hotel and marvel at the city from the top of the Hilton before I go. I respect him, but I respect my city more. It wrapped around me, it protected me on long walks home alone late at night, it accepted me back after each and every time I deserted it. Lindsey Holland was almost right. Surviving my break up didn’t take a village. It took the city of Manchester instead.
Photo: Alice Crowley Photo: mohamed_hassan @ Pixabay
Ciska Howarth Contributor Whether you’re graduating this summer or you are just at the end of your first year, the future crosses all of our minds at some point. Throughout my time at university, I have always felt like there was a huge black hole waiting for me after graduation. When I started my final year in September, I decided I would finally do something about it. I booked an appointment with the careers service, and had a great experience with them. With the help of careers consultant Louise Setthi, I wanted to put together an article that would help students feel less alone when it comes to worries about their future. Louise and I agreed that thinking about the future can be so anxiety inducing that it makes you shut down completely. Personally, the prospect of trying to find a job was absolutely terrifying until I actually started looking into it. The more I learned about application processes and career options, the less scary it became. Challenging that anxiety is not something you have to do alone. Practically, the careers service offers so much to help you take small steps in thinking about your future. There are starting sheets for those of us who have no idea where to begin, and application, CV, and interview advice with friendly feedback. CareersLink can point you towards job opportunities specific to your degree or preferred location. Careers
fairs can also be a great way to get started in finding out what path might be right for you. Louise also pointed out that much of the journey of looking into future careers is about wellbeing and self-awareness. What matters to you? What do you need to feel fulfilled? It is important to know that no opportunity or experience is wasted if we choose to be proactive about reflecting on them. Even the most gruelling interview experience can teach us about handling the next opportunity that comes along. You may be thinking that the idea of going straight into a ‘career’ after graduating is completely unappealing. That’s fine. Most students have been in full-time education from the age of 4. If you are anything like me, you have probably been stressed about academic work since sitting your year 6 SATs. That’s a long time to experience that sort of pressure. Louise and I agreed that it is important to consider what you need, not just what you think is right. It is okay to take some time off to figure out who you are without the pressures of academic work. There are plenty of ways to build experience after graduating that are not full-time career opportunities. The careers service is available for students to use up to 2 years after graduating. However daunting it is to think about your next steps, make the most of university services while you can. You do not have to do this on your own! For more information about the university careers service, visit their website.
If you ask me...
Ciska Howarth encourages us all to use the Careers Service, stressing that we are not alone in making decisions about the future.
30 Sport
ISSUE 20 / 18th March 2019 WWW.MANCUNION.COM
Uni Sport Round-up: Men’s football take home Northern Plate After a hectic few weeks of university sport, the men’s 4th team defeated Bolton to win the Northern Conference Plate in Sheffield Ethan Davies Editor-in-Chief The University of Manchester men’s football 4th team are Northern Conference Plate winners. Defeating the University of Bolton 1st team 2-0 in Sheffield, the win caps a memorable season for the 4th team. With 64 teams in the competition, Manchester’s run in the plate included a 6-1 thrashing of Sunderland in the opening round, a dramatic 3-2 win away at Leeds Trinity, and a 2-1 home victory over York
St John in the semi-finals. On the other end of results spectrum, the women’s Rugby Union 2nd team were on the wrong end of a 118-0 loss to local rivals Salford – leaving Manchester 7th of 9 in the Northern 3A table. It wasn’t all doom and gloom for Rugby Union however, as the men’s 1st team defeated Sheffield 32-7 and then Glasgow in two top-ofthe-table North B clashes, meaning they sit in second place, only four points behind the Yorkshire side, in the league and have a game in hand.
In the local derby, the women’s hockey 5th team cruised past Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) 3rd team with a 2-0 win. In the men’s fixture, Manchester put six goals past MMU as the 4th team beat MMU’s 2nd team 6-0. The women’s lacrosse 2nd team also handed a sorry Bangor 1st team a 15-1 drubbing last Monday, 11th March. Another Bangor drubbing came from men’s basketball 2nd team, as they defeated the Welsh university’s 1st team 106-51. Another basketball drubbing came from men’s 3rd team, who defeated Bolton 1st team
72-53. With such a wide range of results, Manchester currently sit 17th in the overall BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) table, with 1393.5 points. 1083.5 are those are league points, 199 are cup, and 111 are individual. Hot on Manchester’s heels are are the University of Sheffield with 1365.5, who are followed even more closely by Cardiff Metropolitan with 1359.5. Manchester are in pursuit of Swansea University, who have some 50 points more than the Purple Pride, having won 1454 points so far.
Team GB women set to outnumber men at Tokyo 2020 For the first time ever, female competitors in the Olympics are set to outnumber their male counterparts in Team GB due to the legacy of London 2012 Harry Deacon Deputy Sport Editor Tokyo 2020 could represent a welcome milestone for Team GB and our Olympic endeavours, as for the first time ever, the number of women set to represent Great Britain is on course to being higher than the number of men. The rise in female competitors can be
attributed to the London 2012 Olympics and the legacy it has left behind, according to Mark England, Team GB’s Chef de Mission. He said: “For the first time it looks like we might have more women than men in the Great Britain team for Tokyo as we see the fruition of some fabulous athletic talent.” London 2012 saw a female participation rate of 48% for Team GB. However, that fell to 44% four years later in Rio. Although the female participation rate fell
from London, the medals most certainly did not. Great Britain stormed their way to second in the overall medals table with 27 gold, 23 silver, and 17 bronze medals. England conceded that “we have tough shoes to fill from Rio.” But did follow up by stating “we are hugely confident that the investment by UK Sport and the work that has been undertaken by the home countries.” The increasing contribution of female athletes to Team GB undoubtedly stems from
the examples set by some of Britain’s best athletes. Jessica Ennis-Hill, Helen Glover, and Nicola Adams are just a few names out of many that have acted as exemplary role models, inspiring young female athletes to push to the levels that they are now beginning to show. As Team GB strives for a fifty-fifty ratio in its competitors, Tokyo could be a monumental step in ensuring that this target is sustained for many Olympics to come. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Manchester City in seventh heaven Tuesday 12th March, Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Manchester City 7 - 0 Schalke Manchester City progress 10-2 on aggregate, and play Tottenham Hotspur in the quarter-finals Harry Deacon Deputy Sport Editor Manchester City went one better than six of the best as they eased through their Champions League last 16 tie against Schalke 7-0. A strong City line-up included Aguero, Sterling, and both Silvas as they showed no intentions of keeping one eye on the Premier League title race. Guardiola’s men went into the second leg 3-2 to the good after a captivating first leg in
Germany. The Citizens went into the second half 2-1 down against their struggling German advisories, and an Otamendi red card seemed only to make things worse. However, two late goals made sure the Premier League leaders were well poised for the home tie. Led by Aguero, Man City showed they meant business, going 1-0 up within 35 minutes and doubling the gap just three minutes later. Aguero’s brace was soon added to by the extremely exciting talent that is Leroy Sane. With a 6-2 aggregate lead one would be
forgiven for thinking City would ease up on their opponents. That was not the case, goals from Raheem Sterling and Bernado Silva soon put the Premier League champions firmly out of sight. Home-grown star Phil Foden grabbed himself a goal before Gabriel Jesus rounded off the scoring to leave the aggregate scoreline a rather emphatic 10-2. With City safely through to the quarter finals of the Champions League, and already having the League Cup under their belt, dreams of an infamous quadruple are not out
of the question. The strength and depth of the Manchester City squad, and the talent it has both on the pitch and on the side-lines certainly help promote the case of a quadruple. However, with tough games against Tottenham and Manchester United in the Premier League, as well as a possible slip up at Swansea in the FA Cup, the season is far from over. Guardiola is used to making history, and the quarter final draw on March 17th will make for very interesting reading.
ISSUE 20 / 18th March 2019 WWW.MANCUNION.COM
Sport 31
UEFA Champions League round-up: English sides make up half quarter-final draw City hit seventh heaven, while a Mané-inspired Liverpool side rolled over the German champions in their own back yard on Wednesday Sam Honey Head News Editor I t h a s b e e n a s u cce s s f u l co u p le o f we e k s i n t h e C h a mp i o n s L e a g u e fo r E n g l i s h s id e s, w it h a l l fo u r n ow t h ro u g h t o t h e q u a r te r- f i n a l s, fo r t h e f i rst t i m e s i n ce 2 0 0 9. A f t e r t h e re m a rk a b le t u r n a ro u n d a ch i eve d by M a n ch e s te r Un ite d i n Pa r i s, Tot te n h a m m a d e s u re o f t h e i r a g g re gate v i c to r y a ga i n st B o r u s s i a D o r t mu n d l a st we e k away at t h e G e r m a n s ide w it h a s o l it a r y H a r r y Ka n e go a l . H e a d i n g i nto t h e Ro u n d o f 16, m a ny wo u l d h ave d o u b te d t h at Un ite d a n d S p u rs wo u l d ove rco m e t wo o f t h e co mp e t it i o n’s g re ate st s ide s i n re ce nt ye a rs , w it h Un ite d ’s a cco mp l i s h e d a n d m at u re d i s p l ay i n t h e F re n ch cap it a l , a m i d a n i nj u r y c r i s i s, wo r t hy o f p ra i s e . Fo l low i n g t h o s e t i e s, it wa s t h e t u r n o f t it l e r iva l s L ive r p o o l a n d M a n ch e ste r C it y to s h owca s e t h e i r c re de nt i a l s i n t h e t o u r n a m e nt . F i rst ly, o n T u e s d ay n i g ht , M a n ch e ste r C it y we re t a s ke d w it h s e e i n g t h ro u g h t h e i r q u a l i f i cat i o n fo r t h e q u a r te rf i n a l s a ga i n st G e r m a n s ide S ch a l ke 0 4 , a f t e r t h ey n a r rowly s e c u re d v i c to r y i n G e r m a ny co u r te s y o f t wo l at e go a l s to m a ke it 3 -2 o n t h e n i g ht .
T h e S k y B l u e s fa ce d a S c h a l ke s i d e b o a st i n g a n a r ray o f yo u n g t a l e nt , i n c u d i n g Je f f rey B r u m a , B re e l E m b o lo, and Salif Sané. D e s p it e t h i s , t h e re wa s n o c h a n ce o f a n u p s e t o n t h e c a rd s , a s G u a rd i o l a’s s ide b r u s h e d away t h e G e r m a n s w it h a n e mp a ht i c 7- 0 h a m m e r i n g , p l ay i n g fo ot b a l l a k i n t o t h at o f G u a rd i o l a’s g re ate st s i d e s , i n c l u d i n g h i s le ge n d a r y B a rce lo n a t e a m o f 2 0 0 9 -2 0 1 1 . T h e v i c to r y h a d eve r y t h i n g t y p i c a l o f co m fo r t a b l e , re l a xe d s e co n d l e g , w it h t h e t i e d e c id e d b e fo re t h e 4 0 - m i n u t e m a rk t h a n k s t o a S e rg i o A g u e rö b ra ce . T h e E t h i a d eve n go t t o w it n e s s yo u n g s e n s at i o n P h i l Fo d e n re g i s t e r h i s f i rs t E u rop e a n go a l w it h a t i dy f i n i s h t o m a ke it s i x . Wit h C it y co mp l e t i n g t h e t i e i n s u c h a p ro fe s s i n a l m a n n e r, L ive r p o o l a i m e d to p rov i d e a s a n e m p h at i c s e co n d le g p e r fo r m a n ce i n M u n i c h , a f te r a f r u st rat i n g 0 - 0 s t a l e m at e at A n f i e l d . T h e A l l i a n z A re n a h a s b e e n t h e s ite o f s o m e fa m o u s k n o c ko u t s t a ge p e r fo r m a n ce s i n re ce nt ye a rs , w it h B aye r n’s d i s p at c h i n g s o f A rs e n a l n e e d i n g n o i nt ro d u c t i o n . T h e 2 0 1 3 w i n n e rs a re a l s o we l l - k n ow n fo r h o m e p e r fo r m a n ce s a ga i n st B a rce l o n a a n d Juve nt u s i n 2 0 1 3 a n d 2 0 1 6 re s p e c t ive ly. Photo: DerHexer @ Wikimedia Commons
Ronnie’s 1000 up
Ronnie O’Sullivan reaches 1,000 centuries, becoming the first player in snooker history to achieve the unbelievable milestone Harry Deacon Deputy Sport Editor In a question about snooker, the general answer is Ronnie O’Sullivan. There’s no doubt about it, the man is a genius with a cue at his fingertips. The 43-year-old made 1,000 career centuries in his recent 10-4 Players Championship final victory over Neil Robertson. For those who don’t rigorously follow snooker, O’Sullivan’s 1,000th century puts him 225 centuries ahead of his nearest challenger, Stephen Hendry. The five-time world champion stated: “it’s a special moment with the crowd. You never know what to expect and I’ve never had that before, everyone cheering every ball as it was going in towards the end.” The snooker legend went in to the match knowing he needed three centuries to reach four figures, something he achieved in a rather
cool style. The Englishman gave the crowd at Preston Guild Hall something to remember as he switched his cue to his weaker hand before rolling the red into the pocket. It seemed to be a day for milestones, as Ronnie was taking part in his 50th career final, making him arguably the most experienced man in the history of snooker. Sullivan went 4-0 up in the final, before Robertson managed to make a frame back. The next two frames, however, belonged to the man of the day. O’Sullivan fittingly managed to round off the match with his 1,000th century, winning the 35th title of his career in the same place that he won his very 1st. For some reason, the snooker star took up an Australian accent for most of his recent interviews, and so he left us with his reaction to the achievement in the phrasing: “That was fantastic, mate, and something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
T h e g a m e b e g a n a s a ca gey a f fa i r, w it h n e it h e r s i d e ke e n o n co n ce d i n g t h e f i rs t go a l o f t h e t i e . I n a g a m e wh e re b o t h s ide s we re fa r f ro m t h e i r b e s t , t h e away s ide t o o k t h e l e a d 2 6 m i n u t e s i n , wh e n S a d i o M a n e e n g i n e e re d a n e xce l le nt p i e ce o f p e rs o n a l s k i l l t o p ivo t a n d f i n i s h , a f t e r M a n u e l Ne u e r wa s l e f t s t ra n de d i n n o m a n’s l a n d . T h e Re d s co u l d h ave do u b le d t h e i r l e a d co u r t e s y o f A n dy Ro b e r t s o n , a s Ne u e r re p e nt e d h i s f i rs t e r ro r by ke e p i n g h i s s i d e i n t h e g a m e w it h a s m a r t s ave. B aye r n wo u l d t h e n b e g i f t e d a n e q u a l i s e r o n 3 9 m i n ut e s, wh e n a f te r S e rge G n a b r y s u rge d i nt o t h e b ox , Jo e l M at i p i n a dve r t e n ly t u r n e d t h e e xA rs e n a l m a n’s c ro s s i nt o t h e b a ck o f h i s ow n n e t . S a l a h co u l d h ave p ut h i s s ide b a ck i n f ro nt at t h e s t a r t o f t h e s e co n d h a l f, a l t h o u g h h i s i n d e c i s ive n e s s s lowe d t h e b re a k a n d a l l owe d Ne u e r t o m a ke a s i m p l e s ave . L ive r p o o l wo u l d t a ke t h e le a d a g a i n j u s t b e fo re t h e 70 t h m i nute m a rk h oweve r, a s Va n D ij k ro s e t o h e a d h o m e Ja m e s M i l n e r ’s co r n e r, le av i n g t h e Re d s o n t h e ve rge o f m a k i n g it i nt o t h e q u a r te r- f i n a l s fo r t h e s e co n d s u cce s s ive season.
K n ow i n g t h at B aye r n n ow n e e de d t wo go a l s t o q u a l i f y, L ive r p o o l s e t t le d i n a ga i n st t h e i r f r u st rat e d a n d p a n i c k y o p p o n e nt s, a n d M a n e h a d h i s s e co n d o f t h e ca m e w it h s i x m i nut e s re m a i n i n g , a s h e ca l m ly co nve r t e d S a l a h’s c ro s s, s e n d i n g B aye r n c ra s h i n g o ut . L ive r p o o l n ow j o i n t h e i r t h re e do m e s t i c r iva l s , i n a rg u a b ly t h e m o st i nt e re s t i n g q u a r t e r- f i n a l st a ge i n ye a rs. E l s ewh e re in the co mp e t it i o n , Va lve re de ’s B a rce lo n a we re co m fo r t a b le 5 -1 w i n n e rs a ga i n s t Lyo n , wh i le C r i st i a n o Ro n a l do p ro d u ce d a n o t h e r C h a m p i o n s L e a g u e m a st e rcl a s s t o t u r n a ro u n d Juve nt u s ’s 2- 0 de f i c it f ro m t h e i r f i rst leg w it h At le t i co M a d r id by s co r i n g a s e co n d- leg h at- t r i ck . Wit h PS G, B aye r n Mu n i ch , a n d Re a l M a d r id a l l o ut a l re a dy, it lo o k s a s i f B a rce lo n a , Juve nt u s , a n d M a n c h e s t e r C it y w i l l co u nt t h e m s e lve s a s a m o n g t h e favo u r it e s, de s p it e Pe p G u a rd i o l a’s cl a i m t h at h i s s ide a re ‘ t e e n a ge rs ’ i n t h e co mp e t it i o n . T h e q u a r te r- f i n a l h a s b e e n m a de a s fo l lows, a n d l i ke l a st ye a r, fe at u re s a n a l l-E n g l i s h a f fa i r: Aj a x vs Juve nt u s L ive r p o o l vs Po r to Tot te n h a m vs M a n ch e ste r C it y B a rce lo n a vs M a n ch e ste r Un ite d .
Photo: Morio @ Wikimedia Commons.
F1 “icon” Charlie Whiting dies The Englishman was 66 when he passed away on the eve of the 2019 season opener in Melbourne Ethan Davies Editor-in-Chief Charlie Whiting, the Formula 1 (F1) race director, has suddenly died at the age of 66, having suffered a pulmonary embolism on 14th March Melbourne. Whiting was in Australia on the eve of the first race of the 2019 F1 season. As race director, Whiting oversaw the start procedure for all of the races under his tenure, as well as inspecting circuits for safety measures, and led pre-race driver briefings, where driver’s could raise concerns over the format of the Grand Prix. He was also the FIA’s (F1’s governing body) go-to person for all concerns over a Grand Prix weekend. Before becoming the race director, Whiting was previously chief mechanic and then chief engineer of former F1 boss Bernie
Ecclestone’s Brabham team, which won world championships in 1981 and 1983. He joined the FIA in 1988 as technical director, and stay there for over 30 years. Tributes have been pouring for the Englishman, with current F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton describing him as an “iconic figure” in the sport. Hamilton’s championship rival Sebastian Vettel echoed those words by saying: “He was a racer, just a very nice guy.” The Renault team described him as “one of the pillars and leaders of the sport”. To fill the gap left by Whiting’s absence, Australian Michael Masi – the race director of Australia’s V8 Supercars series – will take Whiting’s place as race director, safety delegate and permanent starter this weekend in Melbourne. In Friday’s first practice session, TV graphics included a tribute message to Whiting. Hamilton was fastest in the opening session of 2019.
Photo: joshjdss @ Flickr.
Football’s safety in jeopardy After a recent spate of pitch invasions and violence aimed at players in football, James Owen examines if the sport is heading back to its darker times goa l of t he game. He l ate r de s c r i b e d it as the “ be st d ay of h i s l i fe” h av i ng capt ai ne d the Villa i n s, s core d t he w i n ne r, and ac te d with utmost profe s s ion al i s m . Un for t u n ate ly, t h i s was n’ t t he on ly inc ide nt of t he we e ke nd as Ch r i s S m al l i ng looke d to b e s hove d by a fan du r i ng A rs e n a l’s ce le brat ion s for t he i r s e cond goa l at the E m i rate s S t ad iu m . A H i b e r n i an su pporte r al s o app e are d to pu s h Range rs capta in Jame s Tave r n ie r i n alte rcat ion be twe e n t he two du r i ng a 1-1 st ale m ate. E ng la nd L ione s s e s co ach Ph i l Nev i l le be lieve s s ome t h i ng ne e d s to ch ange be fore “a pl aye r i s st ab b e d or s e r iou s ly hu r t” . H i s re ac t ion i s n’ t as ext re me as one m ig ht thi n k , whe n you t h i n k b ack to t he 19 93 sta b bi ng of te n n i s pl aye r Mon ica S e le s in by a fan . M a nche ste r Un ite d capt ai n As h ley You ng said : “W he t he r it ’s t he FA , t he P re m ie r L e ag ue, or F IFA , s ome t h i ng’s got to be done”. A nd , Range rs he ad co ach Steve n G e r rard s aid he wou ld b e f u l ly su pportive of w it hd raw i ng h i s pl aye rs from the f ie ld . T he FA al s o re sp onde d : “ We will b e work i ng w it h t he clu b s, t he le ag ue s and t he p ol ice to d i s c u s s wh at colle c tive ly ne e d s to b e done to prote c t playe rs and of f ic i al s on t he pitch”. The P rofe s s ion al Fo ot b al le rs’ As s oc iat ion’s ( PFA ) ch ie f exe c ut ive G ordon Taylor s aid t he re i s now “re al fe ar for the safe ty of pl aye rs”, wh i l st for me r E ng la nd st r i ke r A l an S he are r told M atch
of t he Day 2 : “I t h i n k we need p o int s de duc t ion or pl ay i ng ga me s b ehind clos e d do ors b e cau s e s omeone is go ing to ge t hu r t ”. T he s e ac t s of v iole nce by fa ns a re not i s ol ate d . At t he b eg inning of Ma rch Ce lt ic pl aye r S cot t S i ncla ir had a gla s s b ot t le t h row n at h i m whilst D ele Alli h ad a s i m i l ar i nc ide nt w it h a pla st ic proje c t i le b ack i n D e cem b er. Ra heem S te rl i ng al lege d ly re ce ived racist a bus e at S t am ford B r idge i n D ecem b er. Aut hor it ie s w i l l be hoping t he pu n i s h me nt s t hey h ave put in place w ill b e e noug h to ward of f such b ehav iour. Pau l M itche l l , t he fan who at t acked Jack G re al i s h , was g ive n a 14 -week pris on s e nte nce, wh i l st al s o re ceiv ing a lifet ime st ad iu m b an . T he ot he r two culprit s were al s o ar re ste d and w i l l no doubt , face s ome k i nd of c r i m i n al punis hment to go along w it h t he i r l i fe t i me st adium b a ns. It i s wor t h not i ng t hat t he s e at t acks al s o co i nc ide w it h concerns a b out t he leve l of p ol ic i ng at game s. D eputy C hie f Con st able M ark Ro b e r t s, told BBC Sp ort l ast ye ar s aid : “We h ave fewer p olice of f ice rs i n fo ot b al l g rounds ; club s a re c ut t i ng cost s for p ol ic i ng a nd b ack-f illing w it h steward s who don’t have t he sa me aut hor ity. ” It s e e m s i nev it able t h at t he aut horit ie s w i l l i nte r ve ne to apply s anct ions to club s. H i stor ical ly t he fo ot b al l aut horit ie s have appl ie d he av y s anc t ions or cha nge s in
pro cedure to avo id incident s happ ening aga in. In t he 1990 -91 s ea s on, b ot h Ars ena l a nd Ma nche ster United were do cked p o int s a nd ordered to p ay a f ine a f ter a n on t he f ield brawl b etween t he two side s.
Champions League Round-Up
Uni sport round-up
RIP Charlie Whiting
James Owen Sport Reporter O n a weekend of footba ll d ra m a th at saw both Liverp ool and M a nche ste r C ity w i n to continue thei r title a spiration s, t he re su lts were ove rs h adowe d by a t rio of incidents th at h a s le ft footba ll fa ns, clu bs, and of fic ia ls a ll a s k ing the sa me q ue stion : Are footba ll g rou nd s s a fe e nough? In the n inth minute of the B ir m ing h a m derby at St Andrews, Aston Villa playe r Jack G realish was attacke d from be h ind by a fa n who struck h im rou nd the he ad . G rea l i sh – th an kfu lly u n inj u re d – gathe re d hi ms e lf and man aged to s core the on ly
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Results were overshadowed by a trio of incidents that has left football fans asking: Are football grounds safe enough?
Inside Sport
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It is worth noting these incidents coincide with concerns... about policing levels at games
But de spite t he recent incident s, st at ist ics f rom t he Home O f f ice s how t hat fo ot b a ll grounds a re now sa fer t ha n ever w it h a rre st rate s steadily declining since t he late 198 0 s. Wit h t he 20 17/18 s ea s on hit t ing a n a ll t ime low of 3. 5 a rre st s p er 10 0,0 0 0 fa ns, we ca n only hop e t hat t his t rend cont inue s a s t he fo ot b a ll aut horit ie s lo ok to eradicate t he pro blem s t hat have caus ed t he s e sho cking event s over t he weekend.