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Thursday 21st February 2019 | No. 815
Food and Drink look back at how Summatives stressing you we celebrated Chinese New Year out? Comment discuss dealing with the pressure in Durham
Brexit puts Erasmus funding under threat Jack Taylor News Editor
▲’Yellow Vest North East’ were protesting in Durham Market Square over the weekend (Mark Norton)
Modern Languages staff feel like “second class citizens”
Grade 6 staff are excluded from the Academic Progression scheme and have told Palatinate they feel at a “dead-end”
Jack Taylor and Alex Leggatt News Editors Staff in the School of Modern Languages & Cultures feel like “second class citizens” amid concerns over career progression. Grade 6 academic staff members, who are primarily from the MLAC department, spoke to Palatinate about being excluded from a scheme which supports academic growth. The University first piloted the Academic Progression scheme in 2017 as part of the University‘s 10-year strategy which aimed
to “promote job satisfaction, productivity and career progression routes for employees, and create communities of practice within which colleagues can develop their professional expertise”. At the time, Grade 6 teaching staff expressed their concerns over their exclusion from the scheme to the previous Head of School. Despite this, the staff of the department were ignored as the scheme went ahead. Palatinate was told by MLAC staff members that this move left them feeling like a cheap and casualised workforce within
the University, and in a “dead-end situation”. Grade 6 staff teach students, develop the curriculum, set examination material and engage in scholarship projects. It is also understood that these staff take extra steps in enriching students wider University life and promoting languages within the University. At a meeting with the Human Resources Department, the idea of placing these Grade 6 staff members within the Jobs Families network was mentioned. This network is used for roles such as teaching but also includes estate, infrastructure, participation and business roles.
This sparked more backlash amongst those of the Grade 6 teaching staff, who called the move inappropriate. Their main criticism was that the required level of qualification for the Jobs Families network was GCSE grades. Palatinate has however been told by the University that many existing members of this network are qualified to degree level and some to a postgraduate and professional level. They also stated that some amendments will be required to Technical, Research and ... Continued on page 4
A No-Deal Brexit poses a threat to Erasmus funding, students have been told. Potential Erasmus students have been warned by the University that government notices “cast doubt” over funding for placements set to take place in 2019/20. The Erasmus+ scheme gives Durham students the opportunity to study abroad as part of their degree. The University also receives students from other countries to study in Durham each year. The email, sent to prospective exchange students, also explained that the University are “optimistic” about the security of funding for 2018/19 placements. A student currently applying for a placement in 2019-20 told Palatinate: “Doing an Erasmus scheme has always been really important to me. It’s such a unique experience and there are so many skills and benefits I believe are to be gained from a year abroad. “I think it’s very scary that there may not be funding for the scheme after Brexit. A year abroad should be something that is affordable to all students who wish to take one and I am now worried about being able to cover the costs of flights, accommodation and livings costs in the city I am planning to move to next year.” The news contradicts an assurance issued by the government in July 2018, where they promised to underwrite the payment of Erasmus funding in the event of a No-Deal Brexit. The European Commission has proposed measures to avoid the disruption of Erasmus+ learning activities in the event of a No-Deal scenario. The University has said that they are working with European partners to ensure bilateral... Continued on page 4
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Thursday 21st February 2019 | PALATINATE
Editorial
I
Stay level, even with the deadlines
t’s getting to that point in term where plans are far and few between, so I resolve to procrastinate from writing my dissertation by thinking back to simpler times. (If you find people going on about their year abroad aggravating, maybe stop reading). Last year, I was enrolled as an Erasmus student at the University of Limoges in France. This time last year, I was sipping on free wine at my friend’s vernissage (a preview of an art exhibition) in a fancy Parisian suburb. I floated around and spoke to an array of people: those who wanted to buy my friend’s work, those who were there to support her, and those who were there for the free vin and conversation. I found myself in a circle I had never been in before, having conversations I had never previously had. I know nothing about art. Yet I was welcomed so warmly by a community I thought I could not relate to. I met doctors, students, and curators, each who were unfazed by my jittery vocabulary or my incorrect use of the subjunctive. They invited me to an afterparty in a beautiful townhouse which resembled the Laurent’s modern and uncomfortable abode in the film Caché, where we drank more wine and danced to Bellaire. The point of this anecdote is to reiterate, if you haven’t heard already from those who did a year abroad, how valuable it is to spend a year out exploring a new culture. Your confidence grows tremendously, you create friendships which span across the globe, not to forget that your foreign language skills increase dramatically in the process. This is why I personally feel so disheartened by one of our front page stories, about how Brexit
Inside 815 News pages 4-6 Comment pages 8-10 Profile page 11 Politics pages 13-15 SciTech page 16 Sport pages 18-20
indigo
may threaten the security of Erasmus funding. The Erasmus grant is an incredible pathway to studying abroad, and its jeopardy undoubtedly will prevent some from being able to do so. Up to €350 per month easily pays for accommodation (as long as you’re outside Paris), or helps pay for flights home or the surprisingly expensive trips to Carrefour. I strongly hope funding still goes ahead, so others are able to have the experiences I had. On the theme of languages, this week Palatinate heard from MLAC staff who say they feel like ‘second-class citizens’ in the University hierarchy. We’re here to give voice to those who feel out of place at Durham, both staff and students, and vet the University to take action. This week Comment gives much needed advice about how to stay calm and collected during summative season. Indigo takes us to the Old Cinema Laundrette in Gilesgate (I hadn’t heard of it either), and Visual Arts debate University spending on art, as Palatinate 813 that over £2.5 million worth of
Editorial page 2 Fashion page 3 Visual Arts pages 4-5 Film and TV page 6 Music page 7 Travel 8-9 Creative writing page 10 Books page 11 Features pages 12-13 Food and Drink page 14 Stage page 15 Interview page 16 spending was unaudited by Durham. Travel give us their picks for ventures in 2019, and Film and TV discuss the documentary we’ve all been talking about: Fyre. So, I hope you’ll join me and use this edition of Palatinate to help you stay level, even with deadlines on the horizon. Anna Tatham
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BOOKS: Beyond the book: the age of fanfiction
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CREATIVE WRITING: Cyber crush
MUSIC: The Sound of Corruption
Aimee Dickinson explores the merits, but also the slightly darker side to fanfiction.
The University of Bristol Free Speech Society claim Angelos Sofocleous, a Durham student, was banned from partaking in a panel debate on free speech.
Namrata Menon writes a poem about the fine line between online love, and incessant stalking.
Alfie Whillis argues that when you’re looking for the best new music, you should turn online, not to the Grammys.
Palatinate is published by Durham Students’ Union on a fortnightly basis during term and is editorially independent. All contributors and editors are full-time students at Durham University. Send letters to: Editor, Palatinate, Durham Students’ Union, Dunelm House, New Elvet, Durham, DH1 3AN. Alternatively, send an e-mail to editor@palatinate.org.uk
Editorial Board Editors-in-Chief Julia Atherley & Anna Tatham editor@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Editors Millie Fender & Oscar Elmon deputy.editor@palatinate.org.uk News Editors Jack Taylor & Alex Leggatt news@palatinate.org.uk Deputy News Editors Melissa Tutesigensi, Lydia Blundell & Naomi Clarke deputy.news@palatinate.org.uk Investigations Editor Anna Marshall investigations@palatinate.org.uk Comment Editor Tom Davidson comment@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Comment Editors Jacob Whitehead, Emily Kilner & Hannah Anson Profile Editor Ella Catherall profile@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Profile Editor Jamima Westermann Science & Technology Editors Ewan Jones & Charlie Hetherington scitech@palatinate.org.uk Politics Editors Alice Lassman & Sarina Rivlin-Sanders politics@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Politics Editor Matthew Spivey, Katie Fraser & Tom Loring Sport Editor James Smith sport@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Sport Editors Ed Lord, Alana Ker Mercer, Tim Sigsworth & Finlay Smart Indigo Editor Adele Cooke indigo@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Indigo Editor Carys Frost Features Editor Kleopatra Olympiou features@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Features Editor Imogen Usherwood deputy.features@palatinate.org.uk Food & Drink Editors Piers Eaton & Philippa Murrison food@palatinate.org.uk Fashion Editor Anna Gibbs fashion@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Fashion Editor Ana Hamilton & Frankie Reffell Film & Television Editor Hugh Johnson film@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Film & Television Editor Josh Sagoo Deputy Stage Editor Martha Wrench Music Editors Tom Watling & Francesca Howard music@palatinate.org.uk Creative Writing Editor Rhiannon Morris creative.writing@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Creative Writing Editor Susie Bradley Books Editors Freya Neason & Shauna Lewis books@palatinate.org.uk Visual Arts Editor Stella Botes visual.arts@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Visual Arts Editor Jo Chandler Travel Editor Abir Mishra Deputy Travel Editor Alex Bicknell-Cummings Interview Editors Zue Leong and Nathan Kelly Chief Sub-Editor Daisy Robinson Sub-Editors Heather Craddock, Ines Pandzic, Isabella Beaumont, Constance Castle, Namrata Menon & Freya Ellingsen Photography Editor Madeleine Flisher photography@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Photography Editor Mark Norton Illustrations Editor Nayva Lobo illustration@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Illustrations Editor Elena Onwochei-Garcia Website Administrator Bilal Mohd Advertising Officer Harriet Willis advertising@palatinate.org.uk Social Media Officers Connie Castle & Shoaib Ahmed
PALATINATE | Thursday 21st February 2019
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Featured
Are Durham SU elections relevant? With turn out in last year just 15.2%, how many people will vote in this SU election? Olivia Nevill Throughout the last week, candidates have been vying for your votes in Durham SU’s elections for the Officers and Trustees who will lead your Union in 2019/20. I hope you have enjoyed hearing all their fantastic ideas about how they want to tackle the problems that Durham faces and I’m sure that next year’s student leaders will be more than capable of rising to the challenge of providing a strong student voice at our University. In the midst of our term of democracy, your student officer team have been continuing to work hard to deliver on our priorities for the year. I’m delighted that our Welfare & Liberation Officer, Meg, has been able to secure a programme of standardised training for all College welfare officers, including Durham-specific mental health first aid training. This training will be vital in making sure that the amazing students who support their peers are equipped to carry out their roles to the best of their abilities. We all know that the space in which the SU is located in Dunelm House could be better, and we’ve been working hard to secure funding from the University to improve this space for the benefit of Durham students. I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to secure money from the University Executive for new sound and lighting equipment in our Fonteyn Ballroom, which will allow us to hold much-improved late-night events and better support many of the fantastic student-led events which take place in our building every year. Alongside using some of the resources from the UCU strike fund to enhance the study spaces available for use in Dunelm House, I’m confident that these renovations will help the Students’ Union to deliver a welcoming space for the range of student activities that Durham has to offer. As a team, we’ll be continuing to keep you updated on all our work throughout the term and please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or any change you would like to see!
Durham SU is irrelevant Copious emails from the Student’s Union? Facebook being clogged up with profile pictures covered in campaigning slogans? Flyers on the tables at the College bar? You guessed it – it’s voting season. But will the outcome of these elections really have a profound impact on student life?
Will the outcome of these elections really have a profound impact on student life? Living, as we do, in a collegiate environment, the Student Union bears less importance on our everyday lives. This can be exemplified when compared to other universities such as St Andrews, that lack a collegiate system. There, the Student Union is so significant that one St Andrews first year student referred to their Union as “the epicentre of the whole university”. I’m sure most Durham students would agree that it would be highly unlikely to hear our Union referred to with such enthusiasm due to it’s lack of involvement with student life. Many Durham students will simply not take the time to vote as they don’t believe that the outcome will have any affect their day to day lives, so why bother? It is very likely that this is a correct assumption due to the distant relationship that the Union has with the students. This is through no fault of the DSU as the distance stems purely from the fact that as Durham students, we are much more affected by decisions taken at our respective Colleges. Because of this, what matters most to us is who determines our College matters, and therefore we attend our College hustings, read the policies, and make sure to vote in College elections.
The elections are just a matter of which candidate managed to circulate the most flyers An outsider would assume that the Students Union is where high level decisions affecting the student way of life are made. This is not entirely the case here at Durham, meaning that the SU elections are less relevant here than at other universities.
Despite this, the DSU still attempts to encourage as many votes as possible – this is evident through their emails which offer enticements such as ‘an alpaca visit’ for the College that has the highest voting turnout. Silly as it may seem, as a fresher, I turned out to vote for exactly this reason. Unfortunately, though many of us turn out to vote in the hopes of getting to ‘meet the alpacas’, the votes are often cast without knowledge or particular interest in the candidates’ policies. More often it is a marketing profile contest and the votes are down to which candidates name you saw on the flyers in your College bar, or which slogan you most recently saw pasted on you friends Facebook profile picture, as opposed to which candidates’ policies you believed to be the best. Former trustee and current JCR president of St Chad’s College, Josh Barker, highlighted that “if you’re annoyed, apathetic, or generally fed up with the SU then do something. Vote in the elections, fill in the surveys, stand as a candidate even. Nothing is ever achieved by people standing on the sidelines and whinging”. So, perhaps the solution to all of this should be to inform the general student body of the candidates’ policies.
Many Durham students will simply not take the time to vote It’s not that I think elections are a bad thing at all – they are fundamental to giving our student body a democratic voice in the say of how our university is run. However, the DSU elections are currently just a matter of which candidate managed to circulate the most flyers or attract the most attention on social media, and I believe that this needs to change.
Ted Lavis Coward Durham SU is vital During a time of marketisation in the Higher Education sector it is vital we have a politicised and vocal Students’ Union. Only two years into the University Strategy, locals, students, and staff are already feeling the negative impacts of mindless expansion. Local rent hikes have seen local families evicted, spiralling accommodation costs have systematically and deliberately excluded working-class students, and increasing student numbers
have left academics stretched to their limits teaching bigger classes in rooms without enough seats.
We do not have time to be apathetic anymore It really is crunch time for Durham – we do not have time to be apathetic anymore, and voting in the SU elections is the bare minimum we should be doing to fight against the University. The Students’ Union has proven key to organising over the last couple of years and has proved in fact that campus-wide politics are relevant at collegiate universities. The cries of inclusivity from the Vice Chancellor are not fooling anyone anymore. With so many of the candidates supporting a direct approach to escalating the #RippedOff campaign, regardless of the results this year, we’re seeing students mobilising in Durham like they haven’t in previous years, and those active students are about all there is to be proud of in Durham at present.
Katya Kosheleva Colleges are more important For many, the SU elections exemplify students’ freedom of speech to discuss the issues about University life. However, it may be time for students to accept that these elections are simply a formality that ought to be circulated in order to maintain a sort of order within the University. As a non-voter, I would like to discuss why DSU elections have
lost their importance and why students should keep up to date with their College elections instead. The ambitions of the candidates are too unrealistic for a university election. The 2019 candidates hope to combat sexual harassment in every Durham pub, increase educational resources and improve diversity. It is unlikely that they will be solved by a student body. A year ago George Walker centred his candidacy on continuing the #RippedOff campaign and fighting rent inflation only to be escorted from an Open Day for promoting those exact views. All the DSU members are only known to the wider student body through email advertising. Never in my life have I met or even heard George Walker discuss his role as president. The other members of the DSU are almost completely unknown. Why, then, are these DSU Elections so important if, after the final decision, students never see or hear from these representatives again? This is why voting for DSU matters is not appealing: you vote and then are not able to see the results. Students in general seem to lack an interest of DSU affairs. Most students not only attend JCR meetings but are also aware of the current issues which may affect them. Since we are given an SU for the sake of student freedom it is a shame to be fuelling this organisation on life changing reforms and ghost representatives. As one of the candidates correctly stated, “most people’s loyalties lie with their college”.
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Thursday 21st February 2019 | PALATINATE
News
“I don’t know how I would pay for a year abroad without funding” Continued from front page ...agreements are in place to mirror existing Erasmus partnerships. Students applying for Erasmus placements in 2019-20 have nonetheless been advised to continue their applications despite the uncertainty around funding.
“We hope that in the case of a No-Deal Brexit, the Government would cover costs” Another potential student complained that the issue put uncertainty on their plans for next year. “I don’t know how I would pay for a year abroad without the Erasmus funding. “It is good to hear that the University is making progress and keeping us updated. To go on a
(Mary Lord)
(Juliette Hough)
year abroad would be a once in a life time opportunity that this scheme has provided for so many students”.
“In my case due to a variety of factors (I was lucky enough to already hold a Spanish residency, NIE (id number) and a bank account, as well as housing in the region I’m in right now, before arriving.
Rhodri Sheldrake Davies, a third-year on a year abroad said:
“The grant wasn’t necessary for me personally, however, talking to friends from lower income backgrounds, without it they’d literally not be able to undertake their year abroads.”
a withdrawal agreement, a ‘NoDeal Brexit’, we’re optimistic that EU funding for UK students studying abroad through Erasmus+ during the 2018/19 academic year would continue.
Professor Claire O’Malley, ProVice-Chancellor (Global), said: “We believe travelling and living in another country can be a very rewarding experience for our students. For students preparing to study abroad, we offer pre-departure briefings, both at a University level and from individual Departments. We also support exchange students during their time abroad.
“The grant wasn’t necessary for me personally”
“We’re optimistic that EU funding for UK students would continue” “If the UK leaves the EU without
“The situation for the following year is much less clear. We hope that, if there is a ‘No-Deal Brexit’, the UK Government would meet the costs of placements for the 2019/20 academic year, but obviously we cannot guarantee this. “However, our European student exchanges will continue in 2019/20 and we’re working with our European partners on bilateral arrangements. We will keep our staff and students updated on developments.”
Durham Parkrun cancelled after trees planted on route Alex Leggatt News Editor Durham City Parkrun has been cancelled following Durham University’s decision to plant hundreds of trees on parts of the course.
The trees were planted on private land owned by the University The trees were planted on private land owned by the University, as part of a development project at Maiden Castle Sports Centre. Parkrun volunteers posted images of the newly-planted saplings obstructing route onto their Facebook page. Initially mistaken for mole hills, runners first noticed a small number of mounds at the Parkrun event last Saturday. Days later, hundreds of trees were found, preventing over 350 runners from starting the course due to the parts of the course being narrowed to 2-3 yards wide. The reaction from the local Durham community was mixed; some
runners praised the eco-friendly nature of the initiative. Catherine Folley, a local runner commented: “What a great initiative. The more trees planted the better for the environment.” Others critiqued the lack of communication from the University. The disruption meant that some runners will have had to travel to other Parkruns in the area to complete the weekly 5 kilometre run.
perience), said: “We’ve proudly supported this much-loved community event over 350 times, and we’ve every intention of doing so for the next 350 and beyond. “The trees are a condition of planning permission. The holes to plant the trees were unexpectedly dug over the last few days, but we’re working with Parkrun to quickly devise an alternative route in time for the weekend after next.
“The criticism is purely
because we didn’t know it was happening” Speaking to Palatinate, Antony Clish, the co-event Director at Durham Parkrun, emphasised his support of the University for “their hospitality towards us as an event,” but critiqued the lack of communication: “It is just frustrating that the University don’t tell you when things are happening. Had we of known about [the decision to plant trees on the course] before, we could’ve planned ahead.” He continued: “I wouldn’t want to come across in any way, shape or form as being negative about the support we have received over
(Durham Parkrun via Facebook) all these years from the University - we celebrated our 7th birthday last year, and have hosted over 361 Parkrun events, so the university has been a key support for us. The criticism is purely because we didn’t know it was happening. Mr. Clish also added: “We have had discussions with the University and they have reaffirmed their commitment to us as an event, and will work with us to come up with a different route as soon as possible, however tricky that may be. Hopefully, we can reach a solution relatively quickly in an ideal world.” This setback follows Durham
University Athletics & Cross Country Club’s announcement of a new inter-collegiate event, held at Durham Parkrun.
“The University [...] have reaffirmed their commitment to us as an event” Will Ritchie-Moulin, President of Team Durham, told Palatinate: “We hope that a lapse in communication won’t spoil what is a productive and exciting event.” Owen Adams, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Colleges and Student Ex-
The reaction from the local Durham community was mixed “Prior to Parkrun’s post, we’d already met with the organisers and we’ll be meeting again on Saturday with the objective of finalising an alternative route. “Maiden Castle is a large site and we’ll find an alternative area for Parkrun to start.” The Durham Parkrun will recommence on Saturday 23rd February where they will trial a new route after “4 hours of planning and measuring, with some invaluable assistance from Quentin Sloper”
“We’re considering the most appropriate framework” Continued from front page Teaching Services group to reflect the nature of teaching roles. It is also understood that at other Russell Group Universities, this group of teaching staff are assimilated to the Grade 7 level of staff.
Teaching staff in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures at Durham lead core modules for students from first year to fourth.
Language assistants lead core modules
Such teaching include compulsory language modules, comprised of oral and grammar classes. Antony Long, Deputy ViceChancellor and Provost, said: “We’re carefully considering the most appropriate framework for Grade 6 teaching staff, acknowledging the desire for colleagues to
develop their careers.
“We recognise there are staff concerns here” “One option currently under consideration is the ‘Job Families Framework’, which could be
amended to reflect the teaching aspect of the role. “We recognise there are staff concerns here, and we’d encourage any staff concerned about their career development to speak with their manager or head of department.”
PALATINATE | Thursday 21st February 2019
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News
‘Yellow Vest’ demonstration sparks counter protest in city centre Jack Taylor and Alex Leggatt News Editors A demonstration by the ‘North East Yellow Vests’, a group that claim to be against government corruption, took place on Saturday lunchtime. Meanwhile a counter protest was organised by ‘Stand
Up To Racism County Durham’ and ‘County Durham Anti-Racism Coalition’, with the two sides facing off in Market Square. The counter protest ‘Oppose the Neon Nazis in Durham’ was organised through Facebook. The event description stated: “We have seen (Mark Norton)
an attempt by the far right, both regionally and nationally, to hijack the Yellow Vest Movement, as a front for their racist and fascist agenda. “Well known members of far right organisations, including the EDL and North East Frontline Patriots, intend to match in Durham this Saturday, under a guide of emulating the Yellow Vest Movement in France.”
The yellow vest movement protested government corruption, universal credit and spending cuts An organiser of the event told Palatinate that the organisations involved were motivated to create the protest after seeing Facebook posts from apparent members of the ‘North East Yellow Vest’ movement. These were said to include Holocaust denial and anti-Semitism. He said: “This protest has been called in short notice because we heard a group claiming to be the “Yellow Vests” were staging a demonstration. The focus of their protest today appears to be emphasising Brexit, and the ‘Leave Means Leave’ campaign, but in effect, we’ve had a gathering of Nazis and fascists.’” The group also claim that some members of the ‘North East Yellow Vest’ movement have had previous involvement in the EDL and anti-Islam groups. It was unclear what the ‘Yel-
low Vest’ protest was specifically focused on. One member taking part told Palatinate that they were protesting government corruption, universal credit and spending cuts. Another stated that they were opposed to the suppression of women and children under Islamic law. Another said they were protesting the government’s reported involvement in adding fluoride to drinking water and the development of 5G, the latest generation of cellular mobile communication technology, and its supposed effects on human health.
A counter protest was organised by ‘Stand Up To Racism County Durham’ and ‘County Durham Anti-Racism Coalition’ There was also a large selection of ‘Leave Means Leave’ campaign material on display.
One of the group explained to Palatinate that they saw the attempt to not take the UK out of Europe as a form of government corruption. There was a large police presence in place to keep both groups separate. One officer told Palatinate that their priority was to allow both sides to protest peacefully, but that they would step in if it escalated and could bring harm to the public, including families shopping at the market stalls.
“
The far right have attempted to hijack the Yellow Vest Movement
” Kate McIntosh runs uncontested for DSU President Alex Leggatt News Editor
Read our full interview with Kate McIntosh at palatinate.org.uk - where she discusses her aims for the year ahead
Kate McIntosh, a fourth year at St. Cuthbert’s Society studying History and Politics, is running unapposed to be the next president of Durham Students’ Union. Hustings took place at 18:00 on February 14th, the first day of campaigning. Ms. McIntosh’s hust adressed her priority policies. These include: combating sexual violence and harassment on campus and in Durham city, developing support for international students, fighting for a fairer com munity, and championing disadvantaged students. McIntosh would take over from current SU President George Walker at the end of the academic year. Speaking to Palatinate, Ms. McI-
ntosh said: “This election campaign has made it clearer than ever that we desperately need a politicised, powerful and relevant students’ union.
Priority policies included combating sexual violence on campus and fighting for a fairer community “As SU President I would lead work that will make real, meaningful change to students’ lives, and plan for a more diverse and inclusive future. I’m excited to start work on combating sexual violence and harassment, championing disadvantaged students, supporting our international students’ and fighting for a fairer community.
“I’m thrilled that our study body is united behind this vision of a more progressive Durham, in the face of rising student numbers, an
increasingly elitist Higher Education sector, and a university that still fails to pay all staff a Living Wage. There are big challenges ahead – but I can’t wait to get started.”
The voter turnout in last year’s Durham SU election was only 15.2% The result of the election will be announced in a sparkling ceremony at the DSU at 7pm on Thursday 21st February. The voter turnout in last year’s Durham SU election was only 15.2%, which had declined from 24.7% in the previous year. Josephine Butler had the highest turnout of all colleges at 34.7%.
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Thursday 21st February 2019 | PALATINATE
News
Riverwalk food hall to showcase ‘North East’s best’
Jack Taylor News Editor The Riverwalk Shopping Centre, currently being built in the centre of Durham, will include a food hall to showcase the North East’s best street food, it has been announced. The hall will be next to the Odeon Cinema, another highly anticipated part of the £30 million development. Clearbell Property Partners, the group behind the proposal and managed by Clearbell Capital, are currently looking for the best local food and drink companies to col-
lect under the same roof.
The hall will be next to the Odeon Cinema, another highly anticipated part of the £30 million development Nick Berry, from Clearbell Capital said: “The street food scene in the North East is really exciting, and we want to capture some of that spirit in The Riverwalk. “Our new food hall concept will create a platform to bring unique food operators right to the heart of The Riverwalk, and with the
cinema, bowling lanes and a great range of new restaurant brands, we’re establishing a real point of difference for Durham.”
“We’re establishing a real point of difference for Durham” Old Toms Gin bar, Thai River and Lane 7 have already been announced as part of the move.
(Riverwalk via Facebook)
Alastair Sledge declared Union President The election was contested between Sledge, Jack Perry of St. Cuthbert’s Society, and RON. Palatinate sat down with Sledge, and spoke to him about his Union success: How does it feel to have been elected Union President?
(Maddy Copley)
Lydia Blundell Deputy News Editor Durham Union Society Epiphany 2019 Presidency has been award-
ed to Alastair Sledge. Sledge’s campaign was initially ruled as invalid, but this was later overturned by a majority ruling after he appealed the decision.
“It’s surreal, I’m trying to get to work but there are moments where it hasn’t sunk in. What brings it all back into focus is the pressure to deliver and I hope we can come together as a society and deliver a fantastic term.” How did you feel about your campaign being allowed back in? “Very grateful, it was a scary
Working Class Association pull endorsements for Durham SU candidates Jack Taylor News Editor The Durham Working-Class Students Association were forced to remove all endorsements for the Students Union election, after they withdrew support for Evonne Baltrock.
“This is a defamation of character claiming things I do not believe” In an initial post that claimed that they withdrew support for Baltrock as “we do not believe trans-rights are up for debate and it is not censorship to ban transphobic speakers. “We also advocate for individuals right to free, safe and legal abortions”.
Evonne commented on this announcement by stating: “This is a defamation of character claiming things I do not believe.
“We shall endeavour to follow due procedure when addressing matters such as these” “The prior endorsement meant a lot to my campaign as well as me personally to a greater extent as working class student, who has gone through a lot of struggles getting here and knowing what Durham can be like and would ultimately like change”. Seven hours after their Facebook announcement, a follow up post was made. The group said: We failed to sufficiently investigate information we received from sources about several past events concerning
couple of days as I knew the situation was fraught and tensions were running high.
Sledge’s campaign was initially ruled as invalid, but this was later overturned My main worry was that there wouldn’t be a constructive debate about the direction of the Union and what we want to achieve as a society, I’m glad that my readmission allowed this to happen at the husts and throughout the campaign.” What are the first steps that you will be taking in the role? “I am currently preparing constitutional amendments and pro-
Evonne. “Therefore, we have made the decision to remove our endorsements from all officer and trustee candidates and will refrain from commenting on the election for its duration. “In the future, we shall endeavour to follow due procedure when addressing matters such as these.”
“The motions box is still open for suggestions, big things are on the way!” “I am also inviting speakers and planning debates, the motions box is still open for suggestions and we have already had some exciting acceptances - big things are on the way!”
Durham Fire & Ice Festival to return this week Jack Taylor News Editor
(Facebook)
ject proposals to deliver on my manifesto commitments.” “Things like a staggered payment scheme for students on the Durham grant in order to improve access and a dedicated Outreach officer post to engage with the community around us both on the University level and within the City of Durham.
Durham Fire & Ice Festival will return to the city centre this Friday and Saturday. The show, in its fourth year, will feature sculptures based around the theme of ‘Heroes and Villains’. The exhibits will form a trail around the city, in a similar vein to Durham Lumiere, including the Cathedral and Castle. Both nights of the event are free to enter and include a ‘night time specular in Market Square’, a show that is reported to include shooting flames and water jets, orchestrated to music. This year will also include an ice sculpture of North East television personalities Ant and Dec, after 56% of the public voted in a poll to pick a local hero to fit the theme. The sculptures have been craft-
ed by Glacial Arts, the same company that produces sculptures for the set of Game of Thrones. These will include creatures from ‘Fantastic Beasts’, Batman and Darth Vader.
This year features an ice sculpture of Ant and Dec Last year’s event attracted thousands of extra visitors to the city and was the busiest February halfterm for the city on record. The event page states: “Visitors to the City will be wowed once again as they witness the elements coming together in an epic battle of good versus evil. “With ice sculptures depicting some of nation’s most loved heroes and villains, from classic comic books to starts of the big screen, there’ll be plenty to keep the crowds coming into the City!”
PALATINATE | Thursday 21st February 2019
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News
Lebaneat restaurant chain loses licence Melissa Tutesigensi Deputy News Editor Lebanese restaurant chain Lebaneat lost the licence for two of its sites in Durham earlier this month after illegal workers were found on the premises.
The owner Ahmed Sayed received a combined fine of £30,000 Both the main site, situated on the North Bailey, and the Lebaneat
Wrap House on Claypath were stripped of their licences by the Durham County Council’s Statutory Licensing Committee at a hearing on 5th February. The owner of the three branches of Lebaneat, Ahmed Sayed, received a combined fine of £30,000 following Home Office investigations, including £20,000 for the Claypath site and a further £10,000 for the North Bailey restaurant. Speaking at the council’s offices in Spennymoor, Mr Sayed said that measures had been implemented to address concerns,
including employing an operations manager, who oversees staff recruitment and restaurant standards.
Mr Sayed said that measures had been implemented to address concerns Inspector Rachel Stockdale stated: “Durham Constabulary will not tolerate anyone using illegal workers. “Not only is there the cost to the economy and cost to lawful businesses, the workers are exploited
due to their vulnerabilities which can lead to modern day slavery and encourages human trafficking. “Working in partnership with Immigration enforcement, HMIC and County Councils we will always look to work jointly to protect such vulnerable people and Durham Police will take action to prevent exploitation”.
“Durham Constabulary will not tolerate anyone using illegal workers” A raid of the premises conduct-
ed in August 2018 by the Home Office, revealed that the licence had not been paid for two years. In 2016, three workers were arrested from the North Road site on suspicion of working illegally. In the same year, Lebaneat was also given a warning after it was found that one of the workers had overstayed their visa.
HEARD ANYTHING NEWSWORTHY? Email news@palatinate.org.uk
Students vote on how UCU strike fund should be spent Lydia Blundell Deputy News Editor Students have had their say on causes they would like to see the UCU strike fund put towards in Durham. The strike by the Universities and Colleges Union, which was resolved in April 2018, left a fund comprised of unpaid salaries for teaching staff. George Walker said: “Following the establishment of the UCU strike fund last academic year, we’ve taken the time to listen to how students would like the money to be spent, in order to maximise the positive impact on the student experience at Durham.” Students had a choice of seven options to rank, according to what
they think would be most beneficial for the University. 1131 responses were received in the survey, with the provision of mental health first aid training for student leaders and academics the most popular, with 380 responders prioritising this option. Students were also enthusiastic about modifying Dunelm House to create more study space ahead of the peak study seasons.
1131 responses were received in the survey The ranking results suggest fewer positive responses to investment in supporting student leaders and to setting up a student money support system which would fund the SU to provide ad-
vice on the increasing range of student money.
Students had a choice of seven options to rank Other themes which arose from the survey were comments that staff ought to have salaries reimbursed, but more frequently comments called for students to be reimbursed for their missed contact hours last academic year. The need to increase diversity and accessibility in Durham was also raised by students. Walker told Palatinate, “Guided by this input from the student body, we will be working with the University to deliver these exciting projects so that students can benefit from the fund.”
Durham students warned of online scams Naomi Clarke Deputy News Editor Friends Against Scams is a national initiative which is being promoted locally by Durham County Council’s Trading Standards Team. They aim to protect students, the public and businesses from scams and frauds by “empowering communities to ‘Take a Stand Against Scams’.” University students can often be targeted by various scams aimed at taking their money or their identity - leaving them open to fraud and credit blacklisting. Craig Hudson, Trading Standards Manager, with Durham County Council told Palatinate: “We want students to enjoy their time in Durham and not fall victim to increasingly sophisticated scams which target us all seeking to take our cash. “We would urge all Durham University students to take time
to learn about scams and how to protect themselves against losing money, by becoming a Friend Against Scams.” The Friends Against Scams campaign aims to recruit 1 Million Friends by the year 2020, to spread the message and protect people from becoming a victim. This involves attending a short awareness session in person or completing the online training to become better informed of what to look out for and how to stay protected.
“We would urge all Durham University students to become a Friend Against Scams” Scams affect millions of lives across the UK and an experience can often leave victims feeling shame and social isolation. Scams come in a multitude of forms and can easily go under the radar.
Scams come in a multitude of forms and can easily go under the radar Common scams include: bogus texts, e-mails, phone calls, and fake weblinks, mass mailing or even a knock at the door, potentially offering repairs. They purport to be from your bank, or common online providers that you regularly deal with in an attempt to obtain your personal and financial details. Online gamers can also be at risk of revealing personal details and being defrauded. Student specific scams encompass: The Student Loan Scam – When spear-phishing e-mails, which claim to come from the Student Loans Company, seek your password and financial details to verify your accounts and ensure that student loans arrive on time. The Money Mule – Which ap-
pears as an easy way to earn some extra cash. The victim is asked to route payments through their personal account and get paid a commission. However, this can be money laundering on behalf of criminals and can be a serious criminal offence. The Freshers Friend – This is a form of social engineering. Fraudsters contact you via social media to gain your trust. Once befriended, they will seek your money for fake events, obtain your date of birth or other security information to commit fraud using your personal details.
Students living away from home for the first time can make them even more vulnerable to scams Chanel Randles, a third-year Durham University student, who is working on the County Durham project as an Intern with the Coun-
cil added: “For many students it is their first time independently living away from home, this can make us even more vulnerable to being victims of scams.” “It is important we all educate ourselves on the types of scams out there and the signs that something is a scam. We must be vigilant to ensure we do not become victims.” As general advice, they encourage you to be careful what you share online, including: your date of birth, phone numbers and photographs. This can all be used by scammers to build a profile of you and gain access to your passwords and accounts. It’s encouraged to regularly check security settings and change passwords. If you think you have been a victim of a fraud, you can contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or https://www.actionfraud.police. uk/
Thursday 21st February 2019| PALATINATE
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Is our obsession with serial killers unsettling? Page 10
Comment
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Head injuries in collision sport: A silent killer?
Are we ignoring the more deadly aspects of the Super Bowl and the Six Nations? Emma Lucia Felisi thinks so Emma Lucia Felisi Two of the roughest sports out there are currently all over the media. With the Super Bowl having just passed, and the Six Nations ongoing, American football and rugby are on everybody’s lips. Which makes sense, as sport is a light-hearted and non-problematic interest most people share. I mean, who doesn’t love the feeling of triumph and pride when your team wins? But an aspect of sport that is often neglected is the recurrent physical trauma players experience. Former Scotland rugby union captain Kelly Brown recently said ‘every tackle, carry, breakdown is almost like a car crash.’ With players being exposed to extreme force like this in every match, injuries are inevitable. But are they just a part of the game? At first glance, It seems impossible to eliminate the risk of injury in sports without ruining the game itself. The problem is that these injuries pose larger threats to the players than simply cauliflower ears. According to the British Journal
of Sports medicine, injuries to the head and neck are the most frequent sports injuries, and they happen a lot. In 2017, the NFL released shocking injury data showing that players saw a record 291 concussions over the course of the season. What’s even more worrying is that these were the only concussions that were actually diagnosed.
Head injuries are not just minor inconveniences, they’re a major threat The number of concussions is nothing short of alarming. In the long-term, concussions and other head injuries can often lead to more serious consequences. Many retired NFL players who have suffered concussions have been diagnosed with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, depression or even Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative disease of the brain caused by repeated trauma to the head. CTE itself can bring on all of the above mentioned disorders, as well as suicidal tendencies, motor neuron disease, and aggressive, impulsive behaviour which can pose a risk
to those around the affected individual. In 2012, the Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher murdered his wife before later killing himself in front of team officials, and in the same year Hall of Famer Junior Seau committed suicide. Both were found to have suffered from CTE, and each of their families pursued claims in court against the NFL. The problem is endemic; a study in 2017 diagnosed 99% of deceased NFL players brains donated to research with CTE. This is how common it is. It’s not in extraordinary circumstances that this happens. It’s no freak accident. It’s an extremely common problem in collision sports that still exists today, It’s clear to see that head injuries in collision sports are not just minor
inconveniences, they’re a major threat to the affected players health, life quality, life span as well as their psychological well-being. Head injuries are not something that can be swept under the carpet. Although it has gotten better in recent years, with the NFL announcing a concussion initiative in 2016 and health monitors being implemented to spot potential concussions, instances of head injuries are still very high. Of course the risk of injury is something that can never be com-
pletely eliminated; it is, after all, a part of the game. As long as there are players willing to participate and viewers wanting to watch, collision sports will continue along with the risks involved. It’s unrealistic to want to completely alter the structure of the game to eliminate the risk of head injury, but that doesn’t mean we can’t reduce it.
It’s no freak accident, it’s an extremely common problem The British Journal of Sports Medicine recently stated that many head injuries in athletes “can be reduced by teaching proper skills and enforcing safety promoting rules.” It’s clear that protective measures to minimize head injuries do exist, but are perhaps just not being implemented to a significant degree, likely as a result of fear of not being accepted by sports fans and viewers. It’s hard to believe that in 2019, the potential for serious, life-changing trauma is still prominent in sport. Should the safety and well-being of our fellow human beings not be prioritised over the entertainment of others?
(Elena Onwochei-Garcia)
Facebook turns 15... But will it make it to 30? Eleanor Shearwood Facebook, the social networking site conceived in 2004 by a 19 year-old college student, now has more users than there are followers of Christianity. It is therefore not surprising that the site celebrated its fifteenth birthday last week, whilst other social networks like Myspace, Bebo and Piczo, to name just a few, have risen and fallen around it.
this data to affect how they voted, it is undeniable that the site’s public image has been altered. Similarly, numerous studies into Facebook’s impact on our mental health have shown that the less we use it, the better, especially in terms of anxiety levels and self-esteem. And yet, there seems to be no stopping the social media giant. Although many argue that Facebook’s growth has begun to
There seems to be no stopping the social media giant Clearly, the last 15 years have not been smooth sailing for Mark Zuckerberg’s brainchild; take the Cambridge Analytica scandal of early 2018, for example, which has since been described as a turning point in public understanding regarding the dangers of individual data. After the non-consensual harvesting of millions of users’ personal information and subsequent use of
(Lucia Jones)
plateau, that is likely due to the fact that there are now only so many people who don’t already have an account. And even if young people are starting to ‘cool’ towards networks such as Instagram (which, incidentally, is owned by Facebook) and Snapchat, they still most likely have profiles. Facebook accounts are now almost always used as registration for other social networks, such is its prolific nature. In fact, it is now almost abnormal not to have an account. Studies have shown that employers are less likely to hire someone who does not have Facebook; perhaps because it means they are unable to snoop on their personal lives (sorry, conduct ‘background checks’) or perhaps because it indicates a certain level of disconnection from today’s society. Especially at university, Facebook is an essential for staying current socially: from organising events, advertising shows and club nights or using messenger to coordinate group projects. Subconsciously, we are all a little taken aback when someone claims not to use it. Sociologically speaking, Facebook’s impact is unquestionable. It now forms the
central part of jobs that didn’t even exist fifteen years ago: businesses are increasingly aware that if they are not on Facebook, they are missing out on a significant market, and it forms a crucial part of modern advertising strategies.
Perhaps it is more an issue of using it conscientiously, staying aware of how much we share It has also affected our relationships and the way we interact with others. The Atlantic recently credited the corporate giant with the creation of the ‘vestigial friendship’; one that was not meant to last, but is perpetuated through ‘likes’ and seeing one another’s updates. And although our generation shares significantly less on Facebook nowadays, it would still be strange if someone got engaged or had a baby and didn’t post about it online – almost as if it never really happened. The site capitalises on our integral nosiness; no matter how much we complain about Auntie Deb’s most recent upload of another prosecco night with the girls, most
will undoubtedly flick through the photos regardless. It’s worth bearing in mind that however positively cutting down on your Facebook usage is now viewed and seems undeniably beneficial, as a chat on messenger is definitely not an adequate substitute for a face-to-face coffee date – the site is not entirely negative, either. It is an effective way of keeping in touch with lost family members, getting recommendations, and remaining up-to-date with current affairs. Perhaps it is more an issue of using it conscientiously, staying aware of how much we share, rather than trying to avoid it altogether. The developments in Facebook over the past 15 years show that it is constantly adapting to keep pace with our ever-digitising society. So, whilst there is no doubt in my mind that Facebook will be around in another 15 years’ time, there is equally little doubt that it will be a completely different version of the site we know and use today. All that’s left to say, then, is ‘Happy Birthday Facebook! Hope you have a lovely day! X’
PALATINATE | Thursday 21st February 2019
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Comment
A pause for breath
Jess Clark reflects on the stresses of student life and reminds us to take the time to appreciate the simpler moments Jess Clark The truth is, I love learning. I remember visiting Durham for an open day and being thrilled by Hallgarth House, the quaint headquarters of the English department. Its walls, plastered with portraits of famous writers and timetables of alluring special topic modules, seemed to glitter with promise. Every time I go back there for a tutorial, I’m reminded of that first glimpse of higher education – briefly – before my mind returns to its usual scattered monologue of everything else I need to do that day.
Taking a moment to stop and breathe seems essential
romanticized by older generations, with the phrase “best years of your life” frequently thrown around. In reality, it’s an intense period of time which socially, romantically, and academically, can pose many difficulties.
In reality, student life is an intense period of time which socially, romantically, and academically can pose many difficulties There are, of course, several pearls of the university experience. I’m coming to realise that the joys of uni life are found not in its perfection but in its messiness. It’s okay to not have your future planned out, to take time for relaxation rather than
The increased competition that this generates for jobs and graduate schemes, complemented by idealized notions of how the youth ‘should be’, played out through the ubiquitous presence of social media, create a complex set of pressures for modern-day students. The additional factor of tuition fees may contribute towards making studying a less laid-back affair than it was for past generations. Bringing laptops into the equation also makes it easier to never stop the clock on research or essay-writing, and as someone who values health and rest, I’ve shocked myself with how much of the above I’ve ended up doing between midnight and 3 am. I don’t know if it’s coming back
“constantly stressful.”
I would urge anyone struggling with pressure to prioritise self-care Although this is not necessarily representative of the entire student body, it still saddens me that for some students at least, chronic stress is an accepted feature of existence, and I’m sure that it doesn’t have to be this way. There are great initiatives in
Most of life’s endeavours are harder to achieve than we imagine at the outset. Completing an undergraduate degree, though a pathway that many are expected to follow, is no exception. Amidst the mounting stresses of summative essays, dissertation hand-ins, and the prospect of graduating with no clear plan for the future, taking a moment to stop and breathe seems essential.
As well as Student Support Staff within every college, Durham University offers a free counselling service to students suffering from mental health difficulties. This service is confidential and carried out by trained professionals. In addition to these support networks, student Nightline volunteers are also available every night from 9pm to 7am to talk through anything that might be bothering you. If you’d like to get in contact with any of these services, their numbers can be found on the back of your campus card.
“
“I’m coming to
realise that the joys of uni life are found not in its perfection but in its messiness
Durham to help those who are struggling with their mental health, but the issue of stress and academic pressure also reaches those who are mentally well. We all deserve to enjoy our time here as much as possible, and one way of doing so may be reconnecting with the sheer privilege of being able to pursue a subject that inspires us, without excessive focus on its outcome.
”
I want to remind myself why I’m here, and that the process of reading texts, writing essays, and sharing ideas in tutorials is, while to some extent means attaining that shiny degree title, far more important is the challenge and pleasure in its own right. When we look too far down the line, or compare ourselves to those who appear to be achieving more than us, we miss out on what is unique and precious about our individual experience of university as it unfolds in the moment. I feel that student life tends to be
Go for a walk by the river, and let the trees remind you of your connection to the natural world. Cook yourself something tasty, with lots of vegetables. Give your housemate a hug, maybe even boogie to some funky tunes in your living room. After all, our time at university is fleeting, and there’s much to be said for simple moments of connection as we explore these formative few years together, pausing to notice their gifts.
productivity, and to not be constantly on the go, juggling endless commitments.
Student life appears to carry with it a rising level of anxiety While in the past, university was an option pursued by just a few, a large percentage of the population now are pushed towards higher education.
(Navya Lobo)
to Durham after a year abroad, dealing with the demanding final year of study, personal difficulties, or a mixture of all of the above, but student life appears to carry with it a rising level of anxiety, which frequently goes beyond what is healthy. On entering the library recently, coffee in hand, I overheard one student describe life as being
It still saddens me that chronic stress is an accepted feature of existence, and I’m sure it doesn’t have to be this way While my own current sense of being overwhelmed makes me feel ill-equipped to prescribe advice to others, I would urge anyone struggling with pressure to prioritise self-care, not just through actions but by adopting a mindset which retains a sense of perspective.
Our time at university is fleeting, and there’s much to be said for simple moments of connection as we explore these formative years together
”
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Thursday 21st February 2019 | PALATINATE
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Comment
Our glorification of Ted Bundy is what he would have wanted Many of us have watched ‘The Ted Bundy Tapes’, but are we in danger of glorifying a serial killer? Tabatha Baylis
Our glorification of Ted Bundy is what he would have wanted. The latest dramatic re-imagining of Ted Bundy is in the form of ex-disney heartthrob Zac Efron in his newest Netflix film, ‘Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile’. Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival, by all accounts Efron gives off a good performance, one that focuses on Bundy’s superficial, ‘boyish’ charm that lures in both Elizabeth Kloepfer and dozens of other women who continue to obsess over the serial killer and rapist.
over 30 women. His wife, Carole Ann Boone, brought in drugs for Bundy whilst he was incarcerated, and even managed to conceive a child with him. Whilst the details of Ted Bundy’s case are without a doubt fascinating even without media involvement, is it not sort of perverse to turn him into the dashing anti-hero type that his recent depictions seem to be pushing? The Netflix documentary ‘Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes’ seems to emphasise how unlikely it is that he could be the perpetrator of such crimes. If the documentary’s sympathetic view of the cops is to be believed, then Bundy is a genius, one who managed to evade law enforcement using his superior intellect. However, by other accounts Bundy’s escapes were largely
due to the incompetence of the police. For example, in his book The Riverman: Ted Bundy and The Hunt for the Green River Killer, King County detective Robert Keppel reported that the first investigators ‘assumed Lynda Healy was possibly having her period at the time of her disappearance, they couldn’t figure out why anyone would kidnap her—they assumed no kidnapper would want to have sex with her.’
Is it not sort of perverse to turn him into the dashing anti-hero? Surprisingly, nothing of this nature makes it onto the show. This glorification is not unique to Ted Bundy. Frankie Fraser was a
celebrity London gangster who was convicted on charges of using pliers to torture a victim, which he denied. According to the Chronicle, Foster’s former lawyer, James Morton, reported he was happy to pose with pliers in front of his supporters, pretending to pull out an imaginary victim’s teeth. He was locked up in HM Prison Durham in the 1950s, before being sent to Broadmoor. Ian Brady and Myra Hindley also spent time in Durham’s prison, where Brady, who was incarcerated in 1966, received gifts and trinkets that totalled a worth of £100k upon his death, according to his lawyer. Our treatment of serial killers, especially male serial killers, is very disturbing once you look at cases such as these. Why do we do it? Many women fall for a twisted,
By all accounts, Ted Bundy was almost painfully mediocre But why Zac Efron? By all accounts, Ted Bundy was almost painfully mediocre. He was widely regarded as a student with average academics and only medium good looks, frustrated that his ideals for greatness were never achieved. His ability to maim, rape and kill women was the only thing that ever made him special. And yet, during his conviction, he achieved some sort of pseudo celebrity status: women flocked to the courtroom and passed him love notes during the trial in which he confessed to the murder of
false version of the popular ‘bad boy’ trope - the idea that they will be able to change and heal such a damaged man through loving him is misguided, but one that has been made possible through popular recent media.
“
No one is making movies about any of the women whose lives Bundy took
”
Others might simply have a desire to share killer’s spotlight, and, rather like Ted Bundy, use the tragedy that has befallen the victims of such crimes as a chance to emerge from anonymity. They may even see it as a chance to land a book or movie deal, an aspiration that is as narcissistic as it is self serving. The true root cause of this fixation will likely remain unclear. However, one thing is certain: no one is making movies about any of the young women whose lives Bundy took. DO YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT OPINION?
Email us at comment@ palatinate.org.uk
(Jasmyn Fraser)
Decoding police algorithms in County Durham Sam Thomas It’s 2054 and Tom Cruise captains a ‘Pre-Crime’ police unit using predictive technology to stop murderers before they act, reducing the murder rate to zero. As algorithms become embedded in daily life and policing, Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of Philip K Dick’s novel The Minority Report seems more prescient than ever. Now, in 2019, the next time someone steals a laptop from a kitchen table in the Viaduct or nicks a bike from outside Big Tesco, it could be their last time. Durham constabulary is the first force in Britain to trial the use of algorithms to predict the likelihood of an individual re-offending, and then use that prediction to influence further police action. If you are arrested in Durham this year for whatever reason, then the
judgement of whether you should be made part of Durham’s 4-month rehabilitation programme is not made by the officer you’ve been talking to but is influenced by the algorithm they have been feeding your data into. The result from the algorithm’s 34 variable analysis is supposedly legitimised through its use of Durham re-offender data from as far back as 2008. You are not being judged for who you are but on the basis of what those similar to you have done in the past.
You are not being judged on who you ate but what those similar to you have done As a student living on the Bailey this year, I might therefore back myself to be released with a slap on the wrist simply because my data profile doesn’t fit the bill of a re-offender. However, for an unemployed 19 year-old from Bishop-Auckland (the most deprived ward in County Durham) the outcome of an arrest after a drunken
night out is unlikely to be so generous - simply because of their similarities to other past re-offenders. Further still, one of the key arguments against similar predictive-policing technology has been the ethnic biases that have
come out in trials across the USA. In one notable study, it was found that African-Americans in custody were disproportionately meted out harsher punishments than any other ethnic group. The above paints a bleak picture for algorithmic-policing. Some commentators might say that this is a classic neo-liberal love-story: austerity meets public sector; public sector meets technology company; and the unconscious
biases of detached data scientists end up dictating the lives of the masses. In contrast, I am inclined to be more optimistic – with a caveat. Police officers in both the UK and USA are inherently fallible to unconscious (and conscious) biases
(Navya Lobo)
especially around race. In the UK last year just 9% of new Police recruits identified as BME (Black and Ethnic Minority). The possibility for bias and impulsive human judgement in the context of a less diverse and overall smaller force remains high. Therefore, the use of an adaptable, critique-able algorithms should be seen instead in terms of its possibility to iron out those
biases and produce a more ethical, ‘blind’ judgement. But this takes time and mistakes will be made.
The possibility for bias and impulsive human judgement remains high The caveat then, at the crux of supporting algorithm-infused policing, is for the algorithms to be publicly accessible - only from this point can they be properly scrutinised. The Durham force’s algorithm trial uses publicly available data and is run in collaboration with University researchers. Durham sets a positive precedent for future algorithm initiatives in British policing where exposure to oversight and capacity for change should be top of the agenda. The key revelation in Cruise’s Minority Report was that once people knew their future, they were able to change it. For algorithmpolicing, people should know how they are being judged so they can have the chance to change it.
PALATINATE | Thursday 21st February 2019
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Profile
“Part of what we do here is about trying to give people a chance” Profile speaks to Debbie and Charlotte about their struggles with homelessness, the difference DASH has made, and learning to trust again Ella Catherall and Jamima Westermann Profile Editors Local charity DASH, Durham Action on Single Housing, is trying to combat one of the largest injustices facing our society: homelessness. Their mission statement, to help “everyone, regardless of circumstances” to have the “fundamental right to a place of shelter, and help to rebuild their life” is certainly ambitious, but as the stories of the women we spoke to suggest, it is certainly not impossible. Debbie is one of the ten women currently housed and helped by the Vulnerable Women’s Project, and who testifies for the incredible work that DASH do in enabling her to see a way out of the “horrific experience” and “frankly” she says, the “big fat mess” that, through no fault of her own, she became embroiled in.
Councils “made up lies and got me evicted for no reason”
“It started maybe six or seven years ago when family members started playing me and my parents off against each other and it caused massive friction, it was horrific,” Debbie begins. This was, however, only the start, as Debbie found herself being made redundant from her job at Connexions after it “folded up” and “20% of the scoring matrix” about pay and position was based on university education, something Debbie didn’t have, and so she knew she was “always going to be made redundant.” This culmination of events meant that Debbie found herself needing to reach out, which she admits “mortified” her: “it hurt me more because I worked with local authorities” she admits, but it was the treatment Debbie faced while seeking stability that proves just how harsh the realities of being “up against it” are, and how vital the work of charities such as DASH is. Debbie describes the battle she faced with numerous councils who “made up lies and got me evicted for no reason.” Debbie’s referrals and health records too were all wrong, something she realised when her date of birth was incorrect on her records: “he looked at the manager and went ‘see, I told you you’ve got her date of birth wrong,
that record’s wrong. They’d set up a different record for me to cover up everything.” “It spoilt me” Debbie says, but nonetheless, she sees herself as one of the lucky ones to have found DASH, who has become an exception to the norm that she began to know.
“What this organisation has done is seen what’s in black and white and not taken it at face value”
“What this organisation has done is seen what’s in black and white and not taken it at face value”: after being “judged by job centres and the supported accommodation officers” time and time again, Debbie a d m i t s she found it hard to care anymore, and use to “turn up at the job centre scruffy on purpose because they treated me like shit.” D A S H , however, was different, and Vickie, the Complex Needs Worker at DASH, explained that Debbie’s referral had told them that “we should be careful” as Debbie had “made complaints about every organisation” but she admits they “don’t tend to listen.”
“I never thought I’d be able to start 2019 with the closure I have, and that’s the truth”
“I mean I read through them” she begins, “but I don’t judge people on referrals, I’d rather sit down with somebody and that’s the way we do it.” It seems that DASH’s approach, to help whoever they can, regardless of circumstances, is really paying off. Debbie believes DASH gave her “the best Christmas present I could have wished for” enabling her to get closure to be able to move on. “I never thought I’d be able to start 2019 with the closure I have now, and that’s the truth.”
Talking to Charlotte, many of the same themes, anxieties and experiences come through. A lack of trust, both of individuals and society as a whole, appears to be the greatest obstacle, and one that Charlotte admits will be a very tough fix: “I don’t trust anyone, I don’t trust this organisation and I don’t trust anyone in here” Charlotte’s story started much earlier. Being placed in care from the age of six, and growing up there where she “had nothing, no support, nothing”, left her with
(Andreea Popa via Unsplash)
an inability to trust, and a belief that she would never find stability: “I was in London, then got moved to Wales, then to North Yorkshire, then back down to London” she begins, explaining the permanent effect of this unstable start, “so all my life I’ve just expected I’ll get passed along, and it has happened… I just wait for the next ‘oh that’s it, you’re going’ and that’s what I expect.” “Do one thing for me”, Debbie interjected, “believe me, trust them Charlotte. Trust this organisation and you’ll get there.” Charlotte’s circumstances make the work DASH do particularly important, and it becomes abundantly clear what a lifeline it is.
“I just wait for the next ‘oh that’s it, you’re going’ and that’s what I expect” In 2011, Charlotte set fire to her block of flats in an attempted suicide, resulting in a two-year prison sentence. Despite that, and the long-term implication of being continually rejected by private landlords, due to difficulties with insurance, and the council who refuse to house her because of the arson, Charlotte is “determined to prove them wrong” and DASH is her chance at doing so. “Part of what we do here” Vicki says, “is about giving people a chance” and that for women who have experienced “chaotic lives prior, no rent, homelessness, anti-social b e h a v i o u r, d r u g s , alcohol weren’t b e i n g accented for their o w n tenancies, even after times of s t a b i l i t y, they weren’t being given the chance.” One crucial way in which DASH makes a difference, therefore, is through the ‘move-in’ flats, accommodation located just across the street from the main accommodation, which enables women to live independent lives while still getting support from the charity.
“You can talk about everything and nothing here”
For women who have had convictions of manslaughter, arson, and similar crimes that have prevented them from being able to move on, this creates the opportunity to live independently. The charity is then able to “challenge and appeal” the council, and give these individuals the accommodation and chance that they need and deserve. Day-to-day too, it’s clear that it’s also the little things that have some of the greatest impacts. DASH is clearly so much more than helping women with the logistics and bureaucracy of
moving on and moving out after living chaotic lives. “You can talk about everything and nothing here” Vicki adds, and it was clear to see that this is one of the biggest changes that DASH could make in these women’s lives. Jenny, another worker on the vulnerable women’s project, spoke about the small changes DASH is able to make, and the all-encompassing nature of the charity’s impact on the lives of the women they support becomes clear. After the loss of close friend to cervical cancer, Vicki encourages the women to attend cervical screenings, or at the very least opens a dialogue that many of the women have been unable to have before.
“A big thing for what a lot of the lasses have been through here, trust is a big issue”
”Until I moved here” says Charlotte, “I had no one to talk to about anything like that” and the difference that this has made becomes clear when Jenny shares the story of a resident who “asked me to go with her” which she saw as an “honour… that she trusted me to go with her.” For these women in particular, many of whom have suffered domestic and sexual abuse, “it’s like an invasion.” “A big thing for what a lot of the lasses have been through here, trust is a big issue” Jenny continues, “so when they can relate to you, and say ‘will you come and help us, you feel privileged, you’re in their life.”
“
I never thought I’d be able to start 2019 with the closure I have now, and that’s the truth
”
To see more Palatinate Profile interviews visit:
palatinate.org.uk/category/ profile
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PALATINATE | Thursday 21st February 2019
Privacy compromised? Conor Johnson When the topic of politicians interfering with our private lives comes up, there are typically two primary standpoints. One is that such a thing is a direct breach of our freedoms.
Action from outside organisations keeps us safe
On the other hand, action sometimes needs to be taken from outside organizations in order to keep us safe. I also agree with this statement, but in limited circumstances. In cases where young children are living in drug ridden homes in poor living conditions or suffering from abuse I wholeheartedly agree that political institutions may indeed know best. The issue arises when we ask ourselves: where do we draw the line? When the term ‘the man in
Whitehall knows better than the man at home’ was first coined by Douglas Jay in 1937, it was in reference to nutrition and health. When applied to the personal and private topic of sex, however, how does this governmental interference work out? Until 1967 homosexuality was illegal in this country. The government had decreed that two consenting adults of the same sex were not allowed to participate in ‘intimate’ relations, thus repressing their identities to be acceptable in the private, not public sphere. While societal opinion may not have been the same prior to the law change I wonder why the government felt that they needed to outlaw homosexuality in the first place? On the other side of the coin, in 1991 the government made a positive legislative impact on ‘the personal’ when they abolished the marital rape exemption in the law which had previosuly allowed a
man to have non-consensual sex with his wife. This was part of a worldwide movement to do the same after centuries of inequality. When governments, domestic and foreign, make a positive impact on lives such as this, it can be difficult to argue that they should have no right to legislate on personal matters.
nance hierarchies, the conclusion is that heterosexual sex is generally coercive. However, the body never exists privately. To eat is to bring some being into oneself. To give birth, to cradle and hug, break the nonexistent glasshouse of selfhood. Sex disturbs the self/other boundary, but that boundary itself is an illusion: even when breathing, we welcome in air that does not belong to us, and breathe it out again to be used by another. The difference with sex is that it is another person that disturbs the illusory wall we put between our bodies and the world.
power. But sex can be an experience of humanity, since humanity can be found within intimacy.
They should have no right to legislate on personal matters
The difference, however, between outlawing homosexuality and outlawing marital rape can be distinguished quite simply: one causes harm, one does not. Perhaps, then, my answer to the question too can be summarized in an equally simple way. If your actions cause no harm to another person then you should be able to do what you want, without the scrutiny of political institutions.
Dominance and power
Amber Perera Dominance can be defined as the assimilation of another’s will into your own. Domination in conversation means speaking over you. Domination in the classroom is telling you to sit back in your chair. Domination in the bedroom is tying you up and holding you hostage. It implies relinquishing freedom on part of the submissive: giving yourself up, like a worshiper of a deity.
The body never exists privately
Sexual dominance, at its root, is a performance. Does this lead to alienation from our desires? When a woman likes to be tied and hit and slapped; in a society that normalises violence against women, can this ever be an apolitical choice? Kate Millet is clear that the personal is political: ‘coitus can scarcely be said to take place in a vacuum.’ Sex can blur the boundaries between self and other through causing pain. The question of consent was posed in its most extreme form by Andrea Dworkin. Frequently misinterpreted under the tagline that ‘all heterosexual sex is rape’, her argument is more accurately conveyed in the following quote: ‘There is the outline of a body, distinct, separate, its integrity an illusion, a tragic deception, because unseen there is a slit between the legs, and he has to push into it. There is never a real privacy of the body that can coexist with intercourse’. Given that western socialisation prioritises male experience and enforces domi-
Sex disturbs the ‘illusionary wall’
The moral question of sexual dominance does not have absolute answers. We eat for comfort. We hug for comfort. But when this feeling becomes disjointed - eating spicy food, back scratching, spanking; distorted feelings of comfort are deemed unacceptable. Sex becomes fetishistic when it is not about intimacy. Fetishises are not wrong in themselves, but when the bodily elements of a person are used as instrumental if used without respect for the person themselves. Sex, when performed devoid of human connection, can be complete violation. Despite physical pleasure, without consent, sex can utterly be used as a tool of
Personal pleasure is individual
Or, sex could embrace objectification, advocated by the BDSM community in using bondage to heal emotional and sexual wounds. In relinquishing control to someone, being completely at the mercy of another human will, is similar to the act of being held and p rov i d e s human comfort. It req u i r e s a mental space much like meditation, often called subspace, in which you are entirely attuned to every bodily sensation. The joy of being treated like an object allows you, for a moment, to release the fixed human subjectivity. It’s difficult to adjudicate whether any sexual act is always immoral. Personal pleasure is individual: getting piercings, swimming across the English Channel. The reason those acts are not frequently considered immoral, even if they are peculiar or extreme, is because they do not implicate other people. But an act is not immoral just because it looks difficult, painful, alien - provided that consent is carefully considered.
Politics
FEATURE
Sex and power
Sexual identity Matt Spivey Deputy Politics Editor Sexual identity is deeply-rooted within an individual in relation to the social echelons which have been created to ‘other’ them from the heteronormative. Sexual identity is politicised, not as a result of an individual’s sexual identification, but as a result of that identity in relation to society’s expectations of the norm. The multitude of sexual identities that exists within modern society is emblematic of the diverse and unrestricted boundaries upon which sexuality is based. Heteronormative expectations, which undoubtedly underpin the fabric of society’s social and religious institutions, can be a limiting political force which suppress the sexual identities of those who do not conform to these heteronormative restrictions.
Heteronormative expectations can be a limiting political force
Sexual identity thus becomes political, as a result of the need to protest the rights of personal identity in a society which has constructed a divide between the accepted heterosexual identities and the ‘othered’ identities of those who view themselves out of such a rigid so-
cial regime. An individual’s sense of self-identification therefore becomes interwoven with their social privileges and freedoms, especially where multi-orientations are being socially suppressed. When the very fabric of an individual’s sense of self becomes a means by which to politically ‘other’ a community, there becomes an undeniable and undetachable link between sexual identity and the politicised self.
An individual’s sense of self identification becomes interwoven with social privileges
Sex, and the relationships between two individuals within a private context, become inextricably linked to the microcosm of political and cultural contexts. Criminalising non-heterosexual identities instils a deep-rooted prejudice within society whereby an uncontrollable element of an individual’s identity is demonised through an enforcement of political narrative. Politics can therefore be a force of oppression or liberation in terms of expressing sexual identity, and an individual who does not conform to heteronormative identity can be made a criminal simply by crossing a border into a political climate which refuses to accept their identity. Illustrations: Amber Conway (left) Kiitty Hardyman (below)
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Politics
Thursday 21st February 2019 | PALATINATE
How do we get over the Irish Backstop?
Tabatha Baylis With just over a month until Brexit, the Irish backstop has proved a pervasive stumbling block to getting a deal through parliament. A politically unsavoury part of May’s withdrawal agreement, the backstop was designed to specifically avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic, a desire that is mutual between both Britain and the EU. This is essential - without a backstop there will be a chaotic border that would be difficult to implement and enforce, not to mention the likelihood of a reversion to violence, as seen before the Good Friday Agreements.
Without a backstop the border would be difficult to implement and enforce
However, a condition of this agreement is that the UK remains restricted from carrying out any other trade deals around the world that involve removing
tariffs on goods. Additionally, the UK wouldn’t be able to leave this backstop deal without the permission of the EU. These two points in particular are the reason why the backstop became a sticking point among Brexiteers in parliament, and the reason why the government has been forced to find a plan B.
The backstop became a sticking point amongst Brexiteers
With such different customs regulations on either side of the border post Brexit, what are their alternative plans? The manner in which border checks are carried out is the main issue at present, as any physical customs checks would cause delays, potentially leading to a chaotic border. The most widely known option is to eliminate the needs for any new border checks entirely. This EU favourite entails treating the Irish border as a combined customs territory. Northern Ireland would have a closer customs relationship with the EU than the rest of the UK, and would be more
closely aligned with the laws of the EU single market. Yet a potential alternative solution has recently been presented: a border regulated by tech. Philip Hammond has also proposed the use of blockchain technology, with the aim of using a distributed database to streamline the border checks. However blockchain is regarded as decentralised and immutable, with the only somewhat successful use being as an infrastructure for Bitcoin, which was as effective as a ‘energy-inefficient dinosaur’ according to economist Nouriel Roubini.
A potential alternative could be a border regulated by technology
The latest parliamentary discussions have featured speculation over more conventional technological solutions, however these could take over 10 years to implement according to David Henig, a trade expert who gave evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on the issue earlier this
week. Any such solution would not be a question of technology, Henig advised, but also a matter of legal process, even whilst using established technology. However, the EU already stated last month that they will not renegotiate the terms of the withdrawal agreement including the backstop. At present, the UK’s only alternatives are to use technology that would not allow for a smooth transition, or to have a hard border. It may seem, that parliament will have to stick to the original plan if they want a deal and to avoid the
Giusseppe Milo via Flickr
chaos of No Deal; not necessarily because it is the best available but because it is the most practical solution to a complicated solution. Yet Theresa May will still need to get it through parliament, but given how similar the ‘renegotiated’ deal is to the one that was resoundingly defeated on January 11th, commentators are sceptical. It seems that at some point the government might have to stand up to the deluded Brexit rebels in its own party.
Spanish protests: predicting Trump declares national emergency parliamentary collapse? Tom Loring Deputy Politics Editor The Catalan separatist movement of October 2017 began as the region demanded independence from Spain following a controversial referendum. The movement, widely condemned by the right wing, failed but has been brought back to media attention due to mass protests in Madrid. Around 45,000 conservative and right-wing protestors recently joined a rally in Colón square, Madrid, advocating a snap general election with the hope of replacing Sanchez’ government with a more populist. They are protesting against the government’s plans to hold talks with the Catalonian separatists, and are demanding a snap general election to remove the sitting prime minister, Pedro Sánchez.
The protests aim to weaken the government, forcing them to call a general election in order to swap out Sánchez’s socialist government for a more conservative one.
Sanchez is currently in danger of being unable to pass his budget
Meanwhile, twelve leaders of the separatist movement are currently on trial, with nine of the defendants being accused of rebellion, a charge carrying a prison sentence of up to twenty-five years. This is a politically charged trial and has reopened debate, with thousands in Barcelona marching in support
of the independence movement. Whilst currently being one of the last remaining centre-left governments in Europe, polls show that the right-wing parties of the People’s Party, Cuidadanos and Vox would together win a majority in the next election. Spain is in danger of becoming the latest state to fall to populist nationalism. What is to come for Spanish politics? It looks worryingly likely that, as a result of these protests, Sanchez will be unable to pass his budget, forcing him to dissolve parliament and call a snap general election. Whether now or in 2020 (as planned), one of the last left wing bastions in Europe could be about to fall.
Protesters are calling for a snap general election
Sánchez heads a minority government, relying on the support of other parties, including Catalan nationalists. He is currently in danger of being unable to pass his budget through the Cortes Generales (Spanish parliament), and in order to achieve the required votes, he is seeking to appease the Catalonian separatists.
Sasha Popovic via Flickr
Katie Fraser Deputy Politics Editor On Thursday 14th February Senator Mitch McConnell announced that Trump intended to declare a national emergency in order to bypass Congress and access the billions needed to build a wall between Mexico and the USA. Bill Clinton declared 17 national emergencies, George W Bush 13, and Barack Obama 12. The majority of these, however, were a result of crises overseas.
Trump’s first year in office saw the lowest number of emigrants since 2000
The wall is meant to solve the ‘migration crisis’ on the US-Mexico border. In spite of Trump’s continual assertions of the increasing number of immigrants coming from Mexico, numbers published by the US Customs and Border Protection agency showed that Trump’s first year in presidency saw the lowest numbers of emigrants since 2000. In his 50-minute address Trump declared: ‘if you don’t have a border you don’t have a country.’ His nationalistic rhetoric outlined the wall was a defence against ‘an invasion of our country, with drugs, with human traffickers.’ His speech at various points emphasised the need for the national emergency to build the wall whilst
also highlighted, ‘I could do the wall over a longer period of time. I didn’t need to do this but I’d rather do it much faster’. This comes after the thirtyfive-day national shutdown which paralysed the government, leaving thousands of workers unpaid. To end the shutdown, the Democrats and Republicans signed an agreement which gave them three weeks to negotiate a compromise. Trump agreed to sign the agreement and, to secure his funding, declare a national emergency. Under the National Emergencies Act, the House and Senate can take up a joint resolution to end the national emergency if they believe the president is acting irresponsibly. Alternatively The House, and its leaders, could either support a law suit brought be a third party or decide to file one on it own.
‘If you don’t have a border, you don’t have a country’
Trump has met with dissent across the party lines. Representative Jerrold Nadler of New York, chairman of the Judiciary Committee said: ‘I will fully support the enactment to terminate the president’s emergency declaration’. Fellow Republican, Senator Susan Collins, stated that ‘I don’t believe that the National Emergencies Act contemplated a president repurposing billions of dollars outside the normal appropriations process’.
PALATINATE | Thursday 21st February 2019
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It’s the Wellbeing, stupid Marie-Louise Wohrle Finland’s Social Security Institution, Kela, ran a basic income experiment: 2000 unemployed people were given €560 per month as basic income. If any of the participants found a job, they still received the basic income. The experiment investigated basic income as a possible way to reshape and simplify the social security system.
The well being of those on basic income did improve significantly
The preliminary results of the study suggest that the basic income did not decrease (nor increase) unemployment in the trial group compared to a control group. However, their psychological and physical wellbeing did improve - 55% of the basic income receivers selfreported good health, compared to 46% of the control group - a significant difference. This adds to numerous other studies that have been conducted, the majority showing positive effects on welfare and often economics. Ollie Kangas, a researcher, not-
ed: “Two years is too short a period to be able to draw extensive conclusions from such a big experiment. ” Much like the Finnish study, many basic income studies are short-term and focus on the unemployed. There are exceptions, such as a 12-year study in Kenya, as well as a basic income lottery run by a German non-profit. Basic income is designed to offer stability when moving between jobs or training for a better-paid job. However, the idea is criticised. The left argue that it fails to address problems of unethical employment in companies and tax breaks for the rich. There are also concerns that basic income programmes could be used to overall reduce welfare
spending by the state. Criticisms from the right are centrally that the basic income programme’s implementation would cost too much and lead to tax increases.
The lack of implementation despite these results suggests welfare is not the priority
Whether the Finnish Basic Income experiment was a success in the end depends on how we define success - is it population wellbeing, or is it decreasing unemployment at all costs? The lack of implementation despite some positive results suggests that it isn’t wellbeing.
Giusseppe Milo via Flickr
Politics
No stopping FGM Modupe Daramola Conservative MP Christopher Chope who is known for his objections to a bill that attempted to outlaw upskirting (the term used for taking unsolicited images up a woman’s skirt), has blocked legislation designed to protect children from Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) which would amend the Children’s Act 1989.
‘Chope often nods through bills tabled by his parliamentary friends’
This bill was tabled by Lord Berkeley of Knighton to allow the courts to issue interim care orders in orders to protect children at risk of FGM. Chope objected to the bill ahead of its second reading in the House of Commons. This, as reported by The Independent, has brought an end of the private members’ bill meaning that its progress into law is going to take much longer. Nimco Ali, leading anti-FGM campaigner, tweeted that Chope was ‘more offended by being called an embarrassment than he is about girls being subjected to #FGM’. In a private message to Ali, screenshot-
ted and posted by the latter on Twitter, Chope said: ‘Verbal abuse and insults cannot be a substitute for debate in our parliamentary democracy.’
‘More offended by being called an embarrasment than by girls being subjected to FGM’
The conservative MP believes that private members’ bills do not receive enough ‘pre-legislative scrutiny’. Despite Chope having a history of opposing private members’ bills, Sebastian Payne, writer at the Financial Times, revealed that ‘Chope often nods through bills tabled by his parliamentary friends.’. The BBC Parliamentary Correspondent, Mark D’Arcy, said that it was unlikely that the bill would pass into legislation due to the backlog of private members’ bills awaiting consideration in Parliament.
REALITY CHECK?
For sources on this and our other articles please see our online editions at www.palatinate.org.uk
Europe and Brexit: who will be Nexit?
Finley Grimble The UK was, and is not alone in its Euroscepticism. The leave movement in other EU members is something often glossed over, and it is worth noting the British are not the only people ‘stupid’ enough to want to leave. Take a look at other potential leavers, and ask whether Brexit might inspire a domino of divorce.
Euroscepticism has the ability to form governments across the continent
A great example is Marine Le Pen’s ‘National Rally’ party, once known as the National Front before the rebrand in June 2018. Her party, in similar fashion to UKIP, opposes her country’s EU membership. In 2017, 10.6 million presumably Eurosceptic voters supported Le Pen in the presidential election run off, which is only 7 million less votes than the Leave Campaign received in the UK, although her opponent, the staunchly pro-EU Emmanuel Macron recieved 20.7 million votes. It may seem like a great difference, but considering that in the UK General Election of 2015, UKIP received just 3.8 million votes, isn’t it interesting to consider how many
more Eurosceptics there may be in France, and what would be the result should they hold a Brexit style referendum?
Might Brexit inspire a domino of divorce from the EU?
More interestingly though, is the allegedly domineering powerhouse of the EU, Germany. Despite most declaring Germany to be the greatest beneficiary of the European integration project, in 2017, Alternative for Germany (described as a right-wing, Eurosceptic and populist party) claimed 13% of the votes at the Federal Elections. That percentage is a reflection of 5.9 million Eurosceptic German voters. Perplexed at the EU immigration policy, these voters seem to show more concern for the rapid inflow of people than the economic benefits they acquire through their EU membership, and to be quite honest, their EU preponderance. However, with this German example, these 5.9 million votes rather pale in comparison with support for the apparent, ‘de facto’ leader of the EU, Angela Merkel, who received 15.3 million votes. Then, to couple Merkel’s votes with those for the Social Democratic Party (who received 9.5 million votes), who passionately support the EU
project, a rather comfortable 18.9 million votes difference between EU support and scepticism becomes apparent. Thus, Euroscepticism appears unlikely to take hold in the EU’s biggest economy, for perhaps obvious reasons. However, there is also Euroscepticism in smaller EU states. The Czech Republic would be a good example given its mid-level GDP in comparison with its fellow EU members. The current Prime Minister in Prague, Andrej Babis, often described as the Czech Donald Trump, gained a victory for Eurosceptics when he assumed the role in 2017, winning 30% of the vote. In my opinion the British media seems to pass over the notion that Euroscepticism is in fact, ‘winning’ in other EU states too. So, it is not just the UK gaining enough antiEU support from its voters to force governments to act against the will of Brussels. In fact, Euroscepticism seems to have the ability to form governments across the continent, not just influence them.
At 11pm on the 29th of March the consequences of leaving the EU will become clear We could run through many
more examples of Euroscepticism triumphing, or coming very close to it around Europe in recent years. From the appointment of the Eurosceptic Austrian Chancellor in December, 2017, to the populist Geert Wilders’ close attempt at taking power in the Netherlands two years ago. Italy’s famous Lega Nord and Five Star Movement also continue to criticise both the EU and the Eurozone, and it would not be an overwhelming surprise to see the Italians offered a referendum as the UK was in 2016. At 11pm on the 29th of March, the consequences, benefits and realities of leaving the European Union will finally become apparent. In fact, this British case study
Marine Le Pen via Flickr
will likely be a fundamental reference point for the future of the EU. If the UK flourishes after leaving, then Euroscepticism could receive the slight rise in support it needs to weaken, if not to dismember the EU.
Brexit is a fundamental reference point for the EU
If the UK suffers as much as the media speculates, then support for the likes of Le Pen, Babis and Wilders could plummet, giving the EU integration project all the legitimacy it needs to greater influence.
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Thursday 21st February 2019 | PALATINATE
SciTech
Chasing the Sun: Durham down under
Scitech speak to Durham University Electric Motorsport about the Bridgestone Solar Challenge: a 3000km endurance race across Australia weather. It’s just like any road trip: a fight over the speaker!
Charlie Hetherington Sci-Tech Editor
How’s the outback? Each night we have to camp amongst the wonderful wildlife of Australia! That said, there’s not too much time for sleeping; there are always repairs to be done and it’s not uncommon to pull 20-hour days. These, combined with the heat, turns iced coffee into the real fuel of the competition. Gallons and gallons of it! One of the iconic things is a small petrol station about halfway. There’s a tradition to get the same shirt signed by the owner there every year.
Our Engineering department has a secret. At the furthest corner of the Science Site it hides one of Durham’s most remarkable societies. Led by students, and with a shoestring budget, Durham University Electric Motorsport (DUEM) build electric cars that compete – and succeed - at the highest international level. Palatinate caught up with them. What’s DUEM all about then ? It’s making a racing car at the end of the day. DUEM is a place to get real-world engineering experience. You’re adjusting suspension, moulding carbon fibre, designing motors ; a whole host of industrial things a world away from the lecture theatre. The ultimate goal is the Bridgestone Solar Challenge: a 3000km endurance race across Australia. How does the car work on the most basic level? To compete, the car has to be powered entirely by the Sun. As such, we build a light carbon-fibre chassis with a large surface for our allowed quota of solar panels. Across the day, these charge up batteries that power electric motors. This, of course, is only part of the story. There’s still a full road legal car – suspension, brakes and steering for instance – that’s tailored to our unique design. What’s the main challenge or overriding technical consideration in the design? Efficiency. The solar panels produce just under 1kW of power - roughly 1 hp – so the main challenge is squeezing a decent cruising speed out of this. We’re aiming for about 70 km/h. Air resistance is by far the biggest drain. Mathematically, the power needed to overcome drag is proportional to the velocity cubed or, simply, to go twice as fast uses eight times as much power! We’ve had to do lots of computer modelling and work in wind tunnels to find the optimum design.
How much money do you get? We’ve spent about £80,000 this year, a meagre sum compared to some teams who boast budgets in the millions! ! A fair amount comes from the University, but it’s nowhere near enough to get everything we need so our marketing team is always on the hunt for sponsorship. It’s a little aggravating spending months making moulds and then seeing other teams pose with theirs straight from a factory! But where’s the fun in that? How much work is needed for each section? We personally design each component: the new asymmetric steering system or our bespoke electric motor for instance. The vast majority of the car is manufactured and assembled here in Durham to; some of the building processes can be quite demanding – there’s been a lot of all nighters! Once the car is completed we want to do about 1000km of road testing to rectify any faults and ensure reliability. So just what is the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge ? The Bridgestone Challenge is race across the entire length of Australia, from Darwin to Adelaide. About 50 teams from various universities around the world compete, and everyone abides by
a set of rules governing the times you can travel each day and the amount of solar panels you can use. It’s a test of stamina: it’s not the fastest cars that win, but the ones that keep the best pace over time. How’ve we done so far and what’s the aim for next year ? Durham was the best performing UK team! We went from barely doing a kilometre in 2015 to travelling over 1000km last time in 2017. We’re not quite sure who the last British team to finish were (it’s been a while!) but the aim this year is not just to do that, but to finish in the top 10! What ‘s gone wrong? Reliability is the main foe. We had a whole host of unexpected problems, such as the batteries not being able to charge in the heat, but the fact we did any distance at all is a real credit to the team. We arrived in Australia with just half a car! Some of the us had to bring components like the motors (useful for an electric car) in their luggage and assemble it on site. This isn’t the ideal way to do things and it’s why we’re so eager to thoroughly test it this year. What’s driving the car like? Hot! The car bakes in the outback sun to the point where you can’t rest your arms on the side
Catchin’ some rays (DUEM) if you prefer them not fried. It got so bad our driver insisted that a ventilation slot was put into her capsule. This tiny hole caused as much drag as the entire rest of the vehicle: not ideal, but then neither is heatstroke! What kind of atmosphere is it? There’s a really wonderful sense of camaraderie. At the start of the race, there’s about 1000 competitors and while there’s of course some rivalry, it’s not cut throat; everyone helps each other where they can. On the road, the different teams drift apart, so it’s normally just the Durham crew for miles. We’ve got a number of support vehicles for different tasks such as immediate maintenance or setting up camp and scouting out the
What potential does the solar car as a concept have? (At this point Palatinate glanced down at the interviewee’s solar powered phone charger) At the end of the day, the challenge with solar cars is doing so much with so little. To that end, most of the technology we’ve devised is specialised - it’s still easier just to charge your car up at home! Nevertheless, it is at the end of the day an electric car and there’s a clear trend in the industry towards this which we’re excited to be a part of. How can you get involved? Turn up, be willing to learn and there’ll be a job for you! You don’t have to be an engineer or even interested in the technical side at all! We’re always looking for more sponsors so if you’re interested in marketing it’s a perfect opportunity. There’s a Facebook page (DUEM.Motorsport) so if you want to get in touch, that’s best place to do so!
(Mark Norton)
Thursday 21st February 2019 | PALATINATE
18
Sport
Manchester United managing without Mourinho DU teams
(Aleksandr Osipov via Wikimedia Commons)
Jamie Sim Manchester United, the world’s biggest football club, were experiencing an uncharacteristic slump before José Mourinho’s departure in December. Slouched in sixth and bereft of their usual swagger, they were nineteen points off bitter rivals and League leaders Liverpool and elevn points away off the Champions league spots. It had been an underwhelming start for the thirteen-time Premier League winners and the self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ was at the root of their problems. From the alienation of Paul Pogba to an increasingly tedious desire to be the story, it was time to say goodbye to José. Call in caretaker manager Olé Gunnar Solskjaer. It was safe to say that the exUnited hero was returning to Old Trafford with a point to prove.
The Red Devils haven’t exactly fallen head over heels for the post Ferguson brigade of managers. Following his retirement, it was never going to be easy but likely candidates Moyes, Van Gaal and now Mourinho have fallen short. Towards the back-end of the Mourinho era, much of the criticism stemmed from his tempestuous relationship with Paul Pogba. The 25-year-old wasn’t being used to his strengths, having his creativity compromised by Mourinho’s defensive game plan. Young talent isn’t hard to come by at Manchester United, with one of the greatest youth teams in the country, a production line that served Ferguson well.
The ex-united hero was returning to Old Trafford with a point to prove
So, it was also galling that the best of this system were not
making regular starts. Two of England’s World Cup stars, Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford in particular were struggling under José. Rashford scoring just four goals and Lingard with only two in the first seventeen games of the season. This has changed under Solskjaer. Undefeated in eight in the Premier League, they find themselves a cosy fourth, just a point into the Champions League spots (at the time of writing). What has changed? Team selection under Solskjaer has been refreshing, as he’s picked the players the fans have been begging to see. The likes of Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford and Ander Herrera have all returned to regular football. Significant changes to Pogba’s game are obvious in his goal contributions. From five Goals and four assists under Mourinho, to a staggering eight goals and four assists in just eight under Solskjaer.
Team selection under Solskjaer has been refreshing
These statistics place Pogba top of the table in goal contributions in Europe since Solskjaer’s first game in charge in December. Rashford and Lingard have also enjoyed an upturn in form, with the former scoring five and Lingard three. There has also been a change in emphasis around the way the squad play, rather than simply defending their way through games, there has been an air of confidence around the squad. A feeling that they can get results from any match. The United way. This new attitude was epitomised in their recent performance
against Burnley. Finding themselves 2 – 0 down with ten minutes to go at home, most teams would fold and assume it just was not their day. Although in a late push, an 87th minute Pogba penalty and 92nd minute goal by Swedish Centre-half Victor Lindelöf saw United pull back a point in ‘Fergie Time’. Firing twenty-eight shots on goal in the game, they had the most efforts in a game at old Trafford since December 2016. Despite the impressive recent form in the premier league, the 2 – 0 loss against a depleted PSG side, without the infamous Neymar available was their first setback. United struggled to get a foothold in the game, falling 1-0 down from a Kimpembe header just inside the second half. Hopes of a comeback were quickly buried by an efficient counter attack by ex-United man Angel Di Maria and World Cup superstar Mbappe who slotted past De Gea to decide the win. This result was uncharacteristic of Solskjaer’s United but shouldn’t define them, this round is one of two legs and I am sure fans can expect a resurgence going into the next round.
Significant changes to Pogba’s game are obvious in his goal contributions
These are positive times for United, with an exciting couple of weeks to look forward too. Facing Champions league competitors Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, a chance to ruin title hopes for rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford, the second tie against Paris Saint Germain and the Manchester Derby all to look forward to.
Laura Muir breaks British Indoor Mile Record
James Smith Sports Editor On 16th February thirty-one yearold Laura Muir won the women’s mile at the Müller Indoor Grand Prix in Birmingham setting a time of 4:18.75. The time breaks the British Record set by Kirsty Wade in 1988 by just over five seconds. In fact, the time was the third fastest in indoor history, behind only Genzebe Dibaba (4:13.31) and Doina Melinte (4:17.14). Muir, speaking to the BBC after her victory commented “I’m so chuffed to get the record on home soil. I knew the split halfway and knew I was there and thereabouts. The crowd were fantastic.” Her coach rewarded the crowd after the race with signed photographs of the British athlete as she went to warm herself down ahead of her next outing in Glasgow at
the beginning of March. Muir will travel to Scotland hoping to defend her European titles in the 1500m and 3000m
a British Record herself. Despite this she said “To win
with a season’s best, I’m as shocked as everyone else.”
ahead of the rest
James Smith Sport Editor Nine wins out of nine games, a points difference of four hundred and fifty-seven, and bonus points in eight games, the DUWRFC 1st XIV are the unquestionable champions of the Premier North division. With forty-four points in the bag they find themselves ten points ahead of second place Northumbria, after a 46-5 demolition of the second place team.
The Women’s 1st Lacrosse team have won the Northern Premier
The palatinate ladies will hope to make it ten out of ten as they play Edinburgh on home soil on 28th February, a team they beat 20-12 in the reverse fixture. This was only their second ever league title, a surprise given how they have dominated their opponents this year. The ladies 2nd XIV also sit top of their division. Undefeated after seven matches, with three left to play. After a 65-0 win against York at MC on 13th February they will be full of confidence to make it across the line and clinch victory in their league. Similar success has also been had by the Men’s Rugby Union side, who beat Northumbria 2218 to clinch the Northern A division, after eight wins from ten. Durham University sporting success has not just been limited to rugby this year though. The Women’s 1st lacrosse team have won the the Northern Premier, and are now through to the
The time was the third fastest in indoor history
Quarter-finals of the championship, a title that they have won every year since the 2014-15 season.
She was not the only record setter in Birmingham however. Samuel Tefera (Ethiopia) set a World Record in the men’s 1500m, to cap off a spectacular day of athletics in the center of England. Other British athletes also had success. Jamie Webb finished second in the 800m setting a national record of 1:47.27. Holly Bradshaw set a season best of 4.81m in the high jump, beating Nageotte and Kyriakopoulou on countback, as none of the trio could clear the 4.88m. Had the Brit, Bradshaw, been able to clear the 4.88m then she would have set
Their male counterparts have similarly topped the Norther Premier to progress into the quarter finals of the Championship. We also see (at the time of writing), the Men’s 2nd fencing team, men’s football 2nds and 3rds, and the men’s hockey 2nds and 3rds all at the top of their respective divisions, with games still in hand. It is no real surprise then, that Durham sit third in the BUCS points table, behind only Nottingham and Loughborough.
Laura Muir broke the record by five seconds (Fillip Bossuyt via Flickr)
DUWRFC 1st XIV are the unquestionable champions of the Premier North
PALATINATE | Thursday 21st February 2019
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Sport
England fail to stand up to the test of the West Indies nings for only eighty-two runs. In fact, after an initially promising start for England they then lost four wickets for just nine runs, in a spell that summed up the series as a whole up to that point. The England bowlers enjoyed no such luck as the West Indies scored an impressive 306 in the first innings, with little reply from England, the hosts required only seventeen to win the test and The Wisden Trophy. England had five men bowled straight in the second test, as it seemed too often their batsmen went for boundary after boundary, being consistent in this approach throughout the order.
More impressive was the performance of Mark Wood with the ball in hand
(Dan Heap via Wikimedia Commons)
James Smith Sport Editor Starting on the 23rd January at the Kensington Oval in sunny Barbados, England began the first of their three test series against the West Indies in what proved to be a very disappointing start to their tour of the Caribbean.
England began the series with a btting display that inspired little confidence
The visitors won the previous series between the two sides 3-0 in November of last year, so would
have hoped for a similar result this time around. This was not to be. The Windies batted first, Hope and Chase both hitting half centuries to support the eighty-one hit by Hetmyer. England began the series with a batting display that inspired little confidence, as Jennings took their most runs with just seventeen leaving the visitors all out for 77. In the second innings West Indies captain Jason Holder proved himself worthy of the number one all-rounder spot in the ICC test rankings as he hit a double century before his side declared on 415. England thus came in to bat chasing 627 runs. Unsurprisingly,
they were unable to catch this, losing by 381 to record the joint seventh highest run defeat in test match history. A clearly disappointed captain Joe Root remarked afterwards “we have played well below our potential” calling his men to “come back very strong and very quickly and learn a few lessons.” Seemingly though, England did not learn their lessons from the first occasion and lost the series in the second match as the Windies won by ten wickets. Some naïve batting from England and some excellent bowling from their opponents saw Roach take eight wickets over the two in-
as valuable in a player’s day-to-day life. In his insightful and revealing book Done Deal, football lawyer Daniel Geey explores the specifics of an agent’s role: “Many agents take care of all their client’s needs, from picking up their laundry to booking their holiday and organising a cleaner for their home. They are fixers, friends, confidants and truthtellers all rolled into one.” However, these benefits do not come without hefty costs. UEFA, the governing body of European football, has calculated that between 2013 and 2017, approximately €3bn was paid to agents and, on average, five to ten percent of a contract’s value was paid as commission to a player’s agent. Although the percentage of a deal which is paid to an agent as commission hasn’t changed
in recent years, the value of the average transfer or contract has. As a result, agents’ earnings have increased. In the eyes of the supporter, this increase has come without agents doing anything in addition to their standard duties to warrant such an increase.
The third test however, started much more in favour of the visitors. With the best innings of the series to that point they hit a much-improved 277. This being said England had been 232-5, losing the last five wickets for just forty-five, in only sixteen overs. So the impressive start did slip away. Perhaps more impressive was the performance of Mark Wood with the ball in hand. Not included for the first two tests in the series, and only included in the test squad due to an injury to Olly Stone, fast-bowling Wood reached speeds of 95mph which helped him take five wickets to inspire the host’s collapse. With Moeen also taking five wickets, the Windies ended the day all out for 154, trailing by 123. But the real story was of Mark
Wood, who’s career in test cricket was perhaps in doubt. But his performance against the West Indies in the final test of the 2019 series gave a real injection of pace, something which the visitors had been missing dearly. Following the first innings Wood told the BBC: “I felt like an England cricketer today for the first time.” England fans will certainly be hoping that this was not just a one-time performance, but that he can take it on a cement a permanent place in the England eleven. He did not keep up to quite such high standards in the next West Indies innings. However, Anderson taking three wickets for just 27, in an innings that the hosts were 10-3 at one stage, still gave hope to England cricket fans. The visitors actually looked comfortable for the third test, winning by 232 runs, despite Roston Chase hitting another test century. Root described the consolatory victory as “massive” in an interview with Sky Sports, going on to say that the last week “has been much more what we are about.”
England had five men bowled straight in the second test
England, third in the ICC test rankings, will take heart from their final performance of the series, and as they conclude their tour of the Caribbean with the remaining five ODI’s and three T-20’s, they will certainly hope to build on this last test performance ahead of a World Cup on home soil come May.
“The agent is undoubtedly the most controversial figure in football” ...Continued from back page
Nevertheless, it cannot be disputed that agents have helped to level the off-the-pitch playing field. Prior to the 21st century, football clubs, armed to the teeth with lawyers, solicitors and accountants, had a long and unethical history of taking advantage of uneducated and unrepresented players when it came to contract negotiations.
It’s no suprise then that the agent has become the pantomine villain
To that end, agents provide invaluable knowledge and technical knowhow, without which players have historically struggled to negotiate fair deals. Furthermore, agents can be just
They are fixers, friends, confidants and truth-tellers all rolled into one
Such substantial figures hardly help the dichotomy between the fan and the agent, especially considering that critics are likely to point out how the sums involved could have been used to improve the supporter experience by subsidising increasingly extortionate ticket prices or by financing new signings. It’s no surprise then that the
agent has become the pantomime villain of the beautiful game, but, thinking pragmatically, it’s difficult to imagine modern football without them. The complexities of the commercial side of the game necessitate the involvement of expert individuals who are paid handsomely for their services and who support players’ on-pitch performances by looking after them in every way imaginable off it. And, whilst it cannot be contested that some agents do a disservice to their clients and can be extremely harmful to football clubs and their supporters too, it is unfair to tarnish them all with the same brush of anti-agent vitriol. Perhaps what points most aptly towards the underlying reasons behind the popularity
of anti-agent sentiment is their microcosmic potential. As one of the groups to have gained huge influence and material reward from the extensive changes seen in the modern game over recent decades, agents are an easy target for those who long for a bygone age of supposed footballing purity.
The role of the football agent has grown
I’ll leave you with this. Upon his retirement from management in 1993, the notoriously colourful Brian Clough remarked: “The only agent in the ‘60s was 007, and he just shagged women, not entire football clubs”. Imagine how Old Big ‘Ed would react to the state of the game today.
Sport
Thursday 21st February 2019 | PALATINATE
England fail to stand up to the test of the West Indies Palatinate reviews how England’s 2-1 test defeat in the Caribbean shows what is clearly lacking from their test squad (page 19)
Manchester United managing after Mourinho
Jamie Sim investigates the huge turn around in form as Man United hero Ole Gunnar Solskjaer takes the reins at Old Trafford (page 18)
Football agents: Invaluable experts or manipulative vultures? Tim Sigsworth Deputy Sport Editor
Tessa Howard showing her skill and composure on the biggest stage (Pipa Howard)
Durham University students play hockey on the highest stage In the FIH Pro League tournaments, Durham student Tess Howard, and Durham alumni Rhys Smith and Jack Waller are proving why they play for GB Alana Ker Mercer Deputy Sports Editor As the Women’s DU Hockey firsts languish in fifth place in the BUCS Northern A division, and their male counterparts third in their Northern A division, we can still look to some Durham University students who are making their mark in the full senior Great Britain hockey squads. Current student Tess Howard (University College) and recent graduates Jack Waller (Hild Bede) and Rhys Smith (St. Mary’s) are all listed members of Great Britain’s FIH Pro League squads. The start of January saw the beginning of the ground-breaking, new global hockey competition
‘Pro League’ - a large scale competition comprising of the greatest hockey nations. A staggering 128 matches will be staged around the world before a Grand Final takes place in Amstelveen in the Netherlands in June where the top four teams will progress after the league stage. Current prodigy Tess Howard has already travelled to New Zealand to perform in the first of the games which took place last weekend. The women’s side had a disappointing 5-1 defeat against a strong opposition, however with several younger players within the squad, the experience is being treated as that of a learning curve with many positives looking ahead.
Howard had already stated her skill on the pitch before Christmas, having scored an impressive goal for Great Britain against Japan. Commenting on the experience, Howard identifies “travelling the world whilst playing hockey as a dream come true.” For Tess, although pressure is high, she “relishes the excitement of Pro League”, hoping to continually improve on the international stage so she and her team can become the “very best we can be.” The men’s campaign saw a dominant start, achieving a 6-2 win against the New Zealand side. Graduate Jack Waller “has quickly become a mainstay in the Great Britain Squad”, scoring during the men’s first game against
Belgium and being incorporated within the men’s leadership team. Mention also goes to 2018 graduate Rhys Smith who performed in the Great Britain men’s squad against Spain earlier in January. Later this month will see the men’s and the woman’s sides take on Australia. The women will also face China, before both squads travel to Argentina for a doubleheader in April. The majority of games will be live-streamed by BT Sport, so keep an eye out for Durham representatives making themselves and Durham Universiy proud.
Since the launch of the Premier League in 1992, English professional football has changed remarkably, not least regarding the role of agents. In what is now a billionpound industry has become even more complex: image rights, release clauses, commercial endorsements and noodle sponsors have become the norm. The potential financial rewards on offer to players, and their representatives, have become ever more alluring. Consequently, and perhaps unfortunately, the role of the football agent has grown. The agent is undoubtedly the most controversial figure in football, only visible in the mainstream media when a high-profile signing or contract negotiation is in the offing. The perception of the agent as an in-it-for-themselves manipulator who prioritises personal financial reward over their client’s on-thepitch interests persists. As such, they often attract the scorn of fans and club officials alike. As a recent case in point, Josh Maja broke into Sunderland’s first team this season following their relegation to League One and has scored fifteen goals in ywentyfour league games. With his contract set to expire this summer, his prolific form was enough to entice the Black Cats’ hierarchy into opening contract negotiations. Despite Maja himself telling the club he would sign a proposed contract, his agent stated the opposite (via the media, to make things worse) and opened negotiations with other clubs for Maja’s signature. The 20-yearold subsequently signed for Bordeaux, a move seemingly against his own wishes. Given the ceaseless advancement of the commercialisation of the game and the seemingly endless recurrence of Maja-esque sagas, the negative image of the moneydriven agent is unlikely to disappear any time soon. Continued on page 19