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Friday November 28 2014 | wnollondon.net |Winter 2014

Homeless for Christmas 15,000 young people will spend festive season on the street

Annabelle Price

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or most people in the UK the festive period is the perfect excuse to spend time at home with your families, drink too much alcohol and indulge in more food than your already plump bellies can handle. But for as many as 15,000 young people waking up on the streets this christmas morning, it will be just like any other day. Another 24 hours spent sleeping in the cold with no food, no money and nobody they love.

Centrepoint predict that following the loss of more than 1,000 beds in safe houses this

year, the 15,000 youngsters on the street this Christmas are more vulnerable than ever before.

Homeless charity Centrepoint, has revealed that 18% of people aged between 16 and 25 in the UK have slept rough in the past year.

Of the 2000 young people quizzed, the youngsters spoke about sleeping on night buses, on the streets and even in cars when they had nowhere else to go.

The statistics show that the number of people under the age of 25 forced to sleep rough in London has more than doubled since 2011, with 80,000 facing homelessness this year.

In one of the most prosperous and wealthy cities in the world, young people barely into adulthood are having to sleep alone on the streets.

Being homeless is a terrifying and dangerous reality, especially in the coming winter months.

Homeless teens are exposed to freezing cold temperatures and heavy downpours, with limited bedding and very little clothing for warmth.

Those on the streets will not only have to overcome the biting winter cold and their rumbling stomachs, but they must also fight the horrifying mortality statistics that precede them.

21-year-old Alex Jones from Surrey, first became homeless at 15. After the death of her beloved mother and a few difficult years with her newly-married father, Alex packed all of her belongings into a black bag and ran away.

Her years of homelessness began, as so many do, with sofa-surfing and staying with the families of friends. This was until she began to worry that her presence was intrusive; “I preferred the streets because it didn’t feel like I was taking advantage of people”.

“I used to sleep at the skatepark in between staying at people’s houses, until my Continued on page 2

FIGHTING EXTREMISM Meet the people who are fighting back against the extremists promoting Islamic State

A LETTER FROM JORDAN It’s the county that escaped the Arab Spring, but what is it that makes Jordan a safe haven

IN SPORT: HAMILTON WINS Lewis Hamilton wins the Championship title, but what does 2015 hold for F1?

IN THE NEWS ONLINE PRIVACY IS DEAD New figures show that 51 percent of people would not trade online privacy for convenience.

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THE WNOL ECHO | WNOLONDON.NET | FRIDAY NOVEMBER 28

News

INSIDE: WNOL’S CHRISTMAS GUIDE

The top alternative books for this Christmas

The Christmas celebrity autobiography craze

5 Cheesy Christmas covers we hate to love

TV chefs at Christmas - A Roast

BYSTANDER

100 years ago this Christmas something remarkable happened. On the battlefields of the First World War both the British and German soldiers emerged from the trenches, unarmed and bearing candles ¬– and a football.

This Christmas it’s highly unlikely we’ll see the Islamic State rest their arms, or a football match in the deserts of Syria. Likewise, in West Africa, the fight against Ebola won’t stop to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Christmas isn’t always a period of joy. And the harrowing news that around 15,000 people aged 16-25 will be homeless this Christmas will surely let us appreciate the smaller things and remember those who won’t be settling down with a full belly and an episode of Doctor Who this December 25.

However, there should be an element of the unexpected in December. Just as the three wise men, who trekked to Bethlehem to deliver gifts to the new-born king, didn’t know what they’d find on their arrival, we too shouldn’t expect a prescribed month. All too often these days it feels as if we’re being force-fed Christmas. There’s something sad in the fact the John Lewis advert is now deemed as the “Christmas launch” and the fact that a department store’s promotional material is powerful enough to trend countrywide for over 24 hours and reduce grown adults to tears.

Don’t get me wrong, there is

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something heart warming about a small boy noticing his companion is lonely — albeit an imaginary CGI penguin — and seeking them a soul mate for Christmas. But we probably shouldn’t be reaching for the tissues.

Within these pages there is some good news. Our investigator Richard Holmes takes a look at the everyday heroes who have inspired and uplifted in the battle against extremism.

While, Ben Collier highlights the growing importance of the smaller party in the UK and what this poses for democracy.

It is also fitting that at the end of the year we should look back on sport in 2014. In November Lewis Hamilton drove his way to a second Formula One World Championship title, and our review of the season examines how he managed such an accolade.

Pundits suggested 2012 was the year of sport, and that 2013 could never match it. 2014 had no hope. We won our first Olympic medal on snow at the Sochi Olympics thanks to Jenny Jones, but then bowed out of the football World Cup at the earliest exit point. Did you know, however, British boxing is having somewhat of a revival? I thought not. Neither did we.

And if you are slightly cynical about the Christmas cheer, as I am — you might have noticed — then make sure to leaf through our special festive supplement, free inside. It’s packed full of ideas for the festive season: but fear not, there’s a good portion of moaning in there too.

BEN CLATWORTHY

continued from page 1 sleeping bag got nicked [from] where I used to hide it in the bushes.”

Whilst bouncing between various places to stay, Alex always tried to stay in school and college. But relaistically this is increasingly difficult for people with no permanent place to live or even a quiet place to try and study.

“I stopped going to school as much because I couldn’t really concentrate and my friends didn’t really understand”.

Social services moved Alex between shared social living, youth hostels run by Step-byStep, and B&B’so she could begin college and try to make a clean start. But whilst living in the B&B, Alex found it difficult to not become embroiled in alcohol and recreational drugs, “I kind of got a bit involved in it even though I was trying hard to do well at college because I needed an escape from all the horrible things that had happened.”

Crisis have recently confirmed that drug addiction and alcoholism accounts for over a third of all deaths in homeless young people. Whilst people growing up on the streets also have an increased tendency to experience problems with their mental health.

Mentalhealth.org estimates that between 30% and 50% of single people experiencing homelessness have mental health problems compared with between 10% and 25% of the general population.

Unfortunately, Alex became another one of these startling statistics.

“There was one guy at the B&B -out of prison- who heard about me being previously abused and thought I was an easy target”.

‘I didn’t really want to die’ Alex bravely confided in a college tutor and her abuser was arrested. But after being bailed he started to hang around the B&B once more, so the frightened 17-year-old packed up her things and ran away. Again.

“I didn’t really know what to do with myself, so I took an overdose. But then I called someone because I didn’t really want to die, I just didn’t know what to do”.

Crisis discovered that rates of suicide amongst homeless

people are heartbreakingly high.

People without a permanent home are over 9 times more likely to commit suicide than the general population. With the average age of death for a homeless man being 47 years old and just 43 for a woman.

‘I needed an escape from all the horrible things that had happened’

Thankfully, Alex found help and was eventually taken into foster care at 17. In a permanent place and with somewhere to call home for the first time in two years, Alex flourished. She worked hard at college and began to write music like she has used to do, starting to perform and volunteer at a local venue.

“When you turn 18 in foster care you can’t stay there, so I applied to a homeless charity Stonham who house people, and got a flat from the waiting list eventually. I was there for 3 years, and I have now been housed by the council”.

Alex has been on a remarkable journey. After leaving home at 15 and being forced to become another young, troubled teen living on the streets, she has found solace in her education.

Whilst the statistics she fought so strongly against suggest that most homeless teens succumb to drink, drugs and even suicide – Alex has beaten the unfavourable odds.

Now 21, she is studying creative music tech at the University of Surrey, playing regular gigs as a popular singer songwriter and will be spending christmas in a fully-fledged home that is all her own (except for her new puppy).

This Christmas there will be food in her stomach, a roof over her head and a place where she can feel safe. But 15,000 young people just like her, will be experiencing something far scarier.

Help raise money for homeless people in the UK this Christmas, where sleeping on the streets, night after night, is the brutal and unforgiving reality.

Experience what it is like to be homeless, just for one night.

Register for London’s flagship sleep out and join 1000 sleepers and celebs, experiencing ‘sleeping rough’.

THE WNOL ECHO | WNOLONDON.NET | FRIDAY NOVEMBER 28

News

Online privacy is dead

The new digital age removes any right to privacy

PHOTO: Masternewmeda

Kirrily Spires

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ith our ever-expanding array of social networks, most of our private moments are now becoming public. This year, we have seen leaked celebrity personal iCloud photos, the hacking of photo sharing application Snapchat, and now the hacking of personal webcams and CCTV footage. Is online privacy dead?

Or should we adapt our reasoning and no longer value privacy when we are online?

Internet service providers will always know which sites we visit - this is nothing new. Google will also remember every possible search you have typed in their search box; in order to create advertising that we are all interested in. Considering almost every intimate detail is posted on Facebook and Twitter, why are we suddenly concerned about online privacy?

Paul McMullan previously claimed that ‘privacy is for paedos’ and William Hague stated ‘If you’ve nothing to hide, you’ve nothing to fear’. With the developments in smartphone and Internet services, many do not realise their right to privacy is hindered when developing new technologies. In a recent study of 15,000 consumers, as illustrated by the EMC Privacy Index, when asked if consumers would be willing to trade some privacy for greater convenience and ease, 51% of people worldwide said no. What consumers do not realise is that the Internet is consistently monitored by the National Security Agency in order to try and prevent threats from becoming reality. Is it time to accept that ‘someone, somewhere, whether states, press or corporation is watching’ (Guardian)?

Hackers have been collecting photos and videos for years, but

only more recently, has it been to do with ‘child-friendly’ applications. Snapchat, a photo-messaging application, claims that ‘when you’re friends have viewed [the image]… the snap disappears’. Considering half of Snapchat’s users are between the ages of thirteen and seventeen, when it’s security was breached on 13th October 2014, many images, including a large collection of child pornography, became visible to the public.

51% of people wouldn’t trade privacy for convenience The initial leak of celebrity photos, many nude, occurred on 31 August 2014. This entailed a collection of around 200 private photos of various celebrities posted on ‘4chan’ image-board, causing disbelief and humiliation for the celebrities involved. Since its most significant post, there have been numerous reveals of different celebrities posted on ‘4chan’. Jennifer Lawrence, one of the initial celebrities involved in ‘Celebgate’, has labeled this vicious act as a ‘sex crime’.

Lawrence states: ‘it’s my body, and it should be my choice, and the fact that it is not my choice is absolutely disgusting. I can’t believe that we even live in that kind of world’. Speaking of choice, on the 20th November 2014, hackers posted live video feeds on a Russian website, 500 from Britain alone, using webcams, baby monitors and CCTV camera’s in homes, with no inkling from users.

The most commonly reported media content online is photos.

66% of people, surveyed by Pew Research, acknowledged that there was an image of them online, yet 68% of these people; believe that content should only be accessed by the user. In order to keep anonymity online, you have to be clear about what you share, and what you want to be protected. This survey illustrates that people’s expectations are completely blinded by their willingness to partake in the online environment.

Internet industry experts have acknowledged that with recent government suggestions to monitor the online virtual environment, comes a greater breach of privacy. Executive director of Internet rights organisation Open Right Group, Jim Killock, states that ‘further surveillance and monitoring of the entire UK population is the equivalent of asking telephone companies to listen to phone calls’. Websites want to know as much as they can, while consumers want to reveal as little as they can, but where do we draw the line? 90% of people don’t trust their data online, but continue using the sites they have no faith in… Clearly indicating that people don’t value their privacy as much as they say they do.

‘people don’t value their privacy as much as they say they do’ Whether it’s the hacking of personal accounts, stalking, or credit card information, 86% of people try to hide their footprints online, but 59% of these people believe it is not possible to remain completely anonymous online, yet people still remain using online platforms (Pew Research). 55% of people believe it is specific groups that are scamming the online community and have therefore took meas-

ures in order to prevent their data from being accessed by these certain people/companies.

Advertisers are amongst these people.

On the 25th November, an Internet predator admitted to stabbing a 14 year old he met online with ‘sexual, sadistic motivation’. The 19 year old brutally murdered the young child, thus raising awareness into online dangers. But this was no breach of privacy; it was simply an online game. Doesn’t this illustrate that the online world is just as dangerous with or without privacy involved?

With recent leaks of data and photos, a user should be aware of the potential for their information to be next, and accept that their own privacy is their own responsibility. The Internet used to be a great tool to hide, but now, everything is recorded, mainly for our own safety.

Consumers will find fault with the government if an issue could have been prevented with monitoring the situation online, but consumers will also ask for their privacy. There is no problem sharing with Facebook and Twitter your location, or your latest holiday, but sharing other information is a breach of privacy. When it comes to discussing privacy it is important to establish expectations, rather than a ‘right to privacy’, which inevitably ended as soon as the mass media were created.

Without monitoring the online environment, the Russian video feeds would have gone unnoticed, and tracking the address down would have been almost impossible.

Online privacy is dead, purely because we have made it this way. Online users need to realise that they can’t have their cake and eat it. As Rick Falkvinge once said, ‘a secret told, after all, is not a secret anymore’.

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THE WNOL ECHO | WNOLONDON.NET | FRIDAY NOVEMBER 28

News

Feminism losing its focus

Has feminism become the scapegoat for downfalls or is the face of feminism changing to a darker shade of make-up?

Rochelle Fergus

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he journey of feminism deserves applauding.

Fighting for laws against female genital mutilation, the legal recognition of marital rape and the increasing representation of women in the male dominated political arena. But two women a week are killed by their male partner and it was announced that the gender gap is at its narrowest since 1997, sitting at approximately £100 difference a week due to of the decrease in men’s wages rather than the increasing women’s, so of course the struggle is not over. WNOL has reported on most of the current controversies drawing the attention of ‘feminists’ and it has to be said that they’ve depicted the wave to be a tad petty.

‘two women a week are killed by their male partner’ A bit of sympathy must be spared for, Matt Taylor. The scientist was reduced to tears for wearing a shirt covered in half naked women, overshadowing his valuable contribution to the momentous landing of the Philae probe on a comet moving at over 40,000 mph, after a tense decade long journey. Yes, now the illustrations on the shirt seem a little less relevant. The shirt’s designer could have taken her, (yes again, it was designed by a female) inspiration from the fact that this is reality and many women make a career out of wearing next to nothing. The criticism, driven by social media, that forced Taylor’s emotional apology should be seen as a humiliating blow from what’s meant to be a powerful group exercising the equality of women.

WNOL also covered the bans on Julien Blanc, who’s travel options are stacking higher than the drop his ego took, and I wouldn’t be far off in predicting that it may only be his country of birth willing to accept his company. For Iceland, the comedian’s presence has become a debate to avoid him becoming a martyr. Cartoonist Hugleikur Dagsson announced, 4

‘If we deny him entry, he’ll brag about it on Twitter and probably get loads of retweets… this is what he wants. Let’s not do him that favour’. The Swiss born 26-year old who had men paying thousands to attend his seminars, has since been dubbed the ‘the most hated man in the world’ by Time magazine. His talks shared his shallow views on how to treat women, but more fool the men that listened to his guidance on methods to get arrested for sexual assault.

The reasons behind the curtain call for ITV2’s comedy show, Dapper Laughs, questioned the reason it was commissioned in the first place. ITV’s defence that ‘comedy is subjective’ does not suffice for Daniel O’Reilly’s claim that a woman in the audience was ‘gagging for a rape’ before suggesting ways to commit the act.

Is this really the actions of feminists or has the backlash simply been blamed on members of the movement?

Feminism is a title that seems to have been used loosely and targeting such individuals transforms it in to a cultural battle.

Instead of degrading these males, the lack of women in broadcasting should be addressed, as this may be why Dapper Laughs even made it past the stage of pitching. More women in science may have conveyed to Matt Taylor that wearing a garment with such provocative images is not appropriate for a working

environment, never mind broadcast. Rather than giving recognition to the items trying to keep women in the confinement they attempt to get away from, emphasis should be placed on the inequality remaining in structural terms.

Perhaps feminism has just been misinterpreted. Nowadays calling yourself the F word can land you in a pool of accusations that you hate your children, encompassing Mark Latham’s response to an Australian journalist’s honesty. Lisa Pryor’s article in the Sydney Morning Herald mentioned that her coping strategy for ‘raising two small children while studying medicine full time’ was ‘caffeine and anti-depressants’.

Latham’s dramatic rant that followed, managed to relate left-feminism to ‘the demonisation of children’. As he criticised her managing methods, he drew from his own experience as one of the 2% of Australian men acting as the primary carers of their children, who PHOTO: AP Photographie happens to have left his political career in exchange for gardening, cooking ‘gourmet meals’ and leisurely pursuing a few business and writing interests. Their circumstances do explicitly contrast, yet he felt experienced enough to question: ‘why do people like this have children in the first place?’

Well, excuse her for attempting to advance her qualifications as a working mother. Her article merely explains that talking about her pills ‘is about the power of showing vulnerability, diagnosable or simply human

and how it makes others feel safe to do the same’, but a slight trace of feminism turned her intentions into a hurtful array of disapproval.

A petition has begun to remove Lathams’s article but the focus must be on the empowerment of women and the younger generation may just be the embracing voice that feminism needs to restore its aims and perception.

‘I call myself a feminist. Isn’t that what you call someone who fights for women’s rights?’

WNOL Sport’s article: ‘thousands roar women on at Wembley’ highlighted the accepting nature of the youngsters who didn’t appear disheartened at the fact they were watching (the significantly underpaid) women’s team but enthusiastic about simply supporting their country. Our writer, Alice Mason, described it as ‘the best atmosphere witnessed at an England game in a long time’ with a record-breaking attendance exceeding that of the men’s last friendly, putting them on a platform for more achievements.

Nevertheless there are some mature men supporting the movement, although these gender counterparts are the basis of the group’s relevance.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt claims to have been brought up a feminist by his mother; John Legend told his fans that all men should be feminists and Daniel Craig has in the past communicated his concerns for equality. Even the Dalai Lama expressed his views by saying, ‘I call myself a feminist. Isn’t that what you call someone who fights for women’s rights?’

It’s a little glint of a positive future step towards a fresh face of feminism that’s become to mean different things. Do you think Feminism has drifted off that equal brick road or does the future look bright? Let us know what you think at wnolondon.net

Investigations THE WNOL ECHO | WNOLONDON.NET | FRIDAY NOVEMBER 28

Meet the people fighting the extremists Richard Holmes

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ver the past year, the world has seen an unhealthy amount of devastation in the hands of extremist groups.

Tearing up countries with a total disregard for national borderlines, radicalised individuals are causing humanitarian atrocities on a global scale.

We have seen the rise of the world’s richest terror group spread their word through the internet. YouTube videos depicting brutal murders of

PHOTO: Flickr

Suleiman Bakhit

As Islamic State fighters swept through large areas of Syria and Iraq this year, Kurdish forces met them on the front lines. Among those resisting the militants’ advance were thousands of female combatants, including those from Peshmerga, the armed forces from Iraqi Kurdistan, and Syria’s people’s protection Units (YPG). The significance of this goes well beyond their gender on the battlefield. For these fighters, the Islamic State is only one front in war. Although Kurdish areas in the Middle East are perceived to be progressive in their gender politics, that’s not quite the case for some communitiesFemale representation in government is limited, divorced women are stigmatised, and rural families still resort to honor killings. For many women, Kurdish military institutions offer refuge and are a way to resist this patriarchy.

“They’ve taken up arms and gone to battle to protect Kurdistan,” Col. Nahida Ahmed Rashid, a Peshmerga commander told PBS, “but also to say that there’s no difference between men and women.”

white, innocent, caring western civilians spread the fear of unreasonable death throughout homes around the world.

Enticing fear among some, and encouraging others to join a war they know very little about, the world has found itself in a global humanitarian crisis.

Islamic State and its affiliates has provided a catalyst for one of the biggest ideological wars the world has seen; 276 female students kidnapped by Nigerian jihadi group, Boko Harram, earlier this year, aid workers and

PHOTO: hromedia

journalists executed by Islamic State’s poster boy ‘Jihadi John’ and thousands of innocent Kurds face death, rape and pillage because they don’t follow the ancient Wahabism of IS. Victims were dealt their death by fighters from countries all over the world, over 3,000 of which from neighborhoods in Europe.

However, in the face of devastation, heroes arise. And while innocent people have been suffering in the hands of a malicious group, many have been combatting extremism with not

PHOTO: Wikimedia

Female Fighters of Zainab Bangura Kurdistan Social Activist, Suleiman Bakhit is working on tackling extremism through the use of comic books. Following the 9/11 attacks in America Bakhit was beaten by four men; the Arab American took note of this ignorance and sought to tackle extremist minds. Bakhit saw that narratives for young people were the best way to tackle extremism.

With this in mind, he created comic books with Arabic heroes defeating extremist villains.

Bakhit has sold over a million and given away twice as many to children in Jordan, Iran, Iraq and Syria. Despite facing constant attack by aggressors including and incident where he had his face cut, he defies extremism and continues to fight against it.

“There is a huge need for positive role models and positive narratives,” Bakhit said. “We must develop a counter mythology based on healthy shame, based on personal narratives of love, and most importantly of male and female heroines.

While the western media was saturated in stories of humanitarian crises in the name of Islam, young British Muslims took to social media to shame the work of ISIS. A campaign lead by Hanif Qadir named #NotInMyName was trending worldwide in a matter of minutes. The twitter campaign sought to separate Islam from the disgraceful acts of terror inflicted by fighters in the Middle East. As concern grows for disenfranchised youths enticed by extremism through the influence of British preachers like Anjem Choudary, Qadir set up Active Change Foundation aimed at helping any individual seeking identity in London.

Qadir told the Guardian: “Young British Muslims are sick and tired of the hate-filled propaganda the terrorists ISIS and their supporters churn out on social media. They are angry that the criminals are using the platforms to radicalise young people and spread their poisonous words of violence in the name of Islam.”

only weapons, but also their voices.

While world leaders have been passing new acts to convict those related to terrorism, individuals have been thinking of innovative ways in which to tackle extremist minds. From the brave women of Kurdistan who fight against a relentless force of hatred for gender equality to the innovative minds who are doing all they can to educate and help young minds avoid the trap of extremism, these are WNOL’s global heroes of 2014.

PHOTO: thesun.co.uk

Hanif Qadir As the U.N special representative on sexual violence in conflict, Zainab Bangura is working to bring attention to this long-overlooking. In a March security council report, she highlighted sexual violence against men and boys in countries such as Colombia, Afghanistan and the Democratic republic of Congo.

“The issue has always been there,” she told Huff Post Live in April, “We never saw it because we didn’t look for it” This year, Bangura also decried the Islamic State’s selling of women into sexual slavery, threatening perpetrators who harm women and men alike: There will be no hiding place and no safe haven. Sooner or later, we will get you.” Ari Murad

‘I’d love to live under the Islamic State’ Watch WNOL’s interview with Anjem Choudary wnollondon.net 5

THE WNOL ECHO | WNOLONDON.NET | FRIDAY NOVEMBER 28

Investigations Gaza Strip

Recognising Palestine: what can change with a vote Giulia Poloni

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alestine and Israel are geographically and culturally beyond the horizon for any Western country.

But whenever something happens, they receive as much attention as domestic news in the British media.

It may be part of the globalization process, the world is becoming smaller and we are more and more interested in what happens everywhere else, but this is not always the case.

There are plenty of conflicts in central Africa or South America we never hear of.

Why so much attention to the Middle-East, then?

Palestine “is not just a country out there somewhere”, activist Caroline Day told WNOL, adding that “Britain set it up” and it is not only its interest but its responsibility to get involved in the public debate.

A debate that lately revolved around the official recognition of the State of Palestine. It all started in 1988, when the exiled Palestine National Council approved the Palestinian Declaration of Independence, with as many as 80 countries in the world immediately acknowledging it.

Since then, however, things have slowly moved forward. In 2014, 135 of 193 members of the UN officially recognise Palestine, with Israel still refusing to do so.

Europe has often followed the American example when it comes to the Middle-East and, as long as the USA do not acknowledge the existence of the State of Palestine, only a few governments of the old continent will.

On Thursday 30 October 2014, Sweden held a vote in the Parliament, joining Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta, Poland and Romania as eighth European country to officially recognise the Palestinian State.

Swedish foreign minister Margot Wallström described it as an “important step” towards the “self-determination” of Palestinian people.

The decision fired debates all over Europe and people from

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PHOTO: UK Parliament

different countries asked their politicians why Palestine has not been officially recognised yet.

In France, for example, the Socialist Party wrote a proposition to the Parliament inviting the government to follow the Swedish example.

The controversy didn’t take long to reach the British border, where the UK Parliament had already held a vote on Monday 13 October 2014 to decide whether Palestine was going to be recognised or not.

‘this House believes that the Government should recognise the state of Palestine alongside the state of Israel’ The motion was approved with 274 votes in favour and 12 against and states, “this House believes that the Government should recognise the state of Palestine alongside the state of Israel as a contribution to securing a negotiated two state solution”.

However, the motion is non-binding. Prime Minister David Cameron abstained and specified that the UK government

foreign policy “won’t be changing” despite the vote. But it does stimulate the discussion.

After last summer’s 50–day war, a need to stop the on-going conflict seemed to grow stronger than ever, with politicians on both sides openly speaking for peace.

Conservative chairman of the foreign affairs select committee Richard Ottaway voted in favour.

He was “outraged” by Israeli annexation of 950 acres in the West Bank area.

Labour MP Joan Ruddock also voted yes, “the recognition of Palestine as a state is important in the search for an agreed two state solution,” she told WNOL. The MP has been involved in the debate for some years now and visited Palestine in 2012 as part of a delegation from the All-Party Palestine Group. In her speech to Parliament following her journey, she made it clear the rule of justice is what must prevail. Ruddock had “no doubt that it does within Israel itself” although it “cannot be said to be true of justice within Palestine”.

Ruddock told WNOL the discussion developed after a “support for a two state solution” grew in the Parliament, adding that finally the All-Party Palestine Group and the Labour Party “have identified with the Palestinian cause”.

Activist Caroline Day also visited Palestine a few years ago, though she hasn’t been to Gaza as “[it] is much more difficult than getting to the West Bank”.

She described it as a “very emotional experience”, “there’s nothing that compares to that – families being displaced, rights taken away” she added. “But it’s also a positive experience.

Palestinian people are very warm and have a great sense of humour. They are desperate for people to listen to their stories.”

When we asked her what she thinks of the vote she is a bit sceptical. “There’s a very strong lobby within British politics, they have a very strong bias. The policy of mainstream parties is to recognise a Jewish country in the Middle-East, but they have been pressured by the people.”

MP Joan Ruddock wouldn’t agree, as she explained that “most of us [MPs] have supported Palestine all our lives” and they are “ taking their lead from the Palestinians who have mounted the campaign for recognition within the UN”.

‘there’s no Palestinian life that hasn’t been touched by the war’ What they both admit is that the UK vote is just the beginning and there is still a long way to go to finally establish peace between Israel and Palestine.

The two countries “actually have quite a lot in common and have coexisted” in the past, as MP Joan Ruddock says. In her view the best way to achieve a distinct result is for Western countries to “talk openly with Hamas”.

Caroline strongly believes the solidarity from the international community has an important role to play as well: “if you can have a very local group with an international message, that’s a great combination”.

But “it needs to be a practical solidarity” to achieve a tangible result. The help needed is endless, Caroline says, as “there’s no Palestinian life that hasn’t been touched by the war”.

THE WNOL ECHO | WNOLONDON.NET | FRIDAY NOVEMBER 28

Jordan Investigations

A letter from the Middle East’s safe haven Ben Clatworthy visits Jordan, the safeland of a region in turmoil

PHOTO: Wikipedia

Ben Clatworthy

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riday afternoon in Amman, the capital city of Jordan, and midday prayers have just finished. People are flooding out of the city’s main mosque, carrying their rolled prayer mats under their arms.

Outside the mosque a small group of demonstrators are chanting in Arabic — protesting against the influx of Syrians to Jordan, who are attempting to flee their war-torn country. There is a noticeably high police presence, whilst nearby, specialist officers armed with machine guns, sit in armoured vans awaiting orders.

A gun shot rings out around the mosque and roman amphitheatre: momentarily quelling the hubbub, before the shouting and laughter resumes. But it’s not a harsh attack. A protester has fired the shot into the air.

Believe it or not, Jordan is the safe haven of the Middle East.

The country emerged unscathed from the Arab Spring with just a few scuffles. But how was this possible when its neighbours were engulfed in turmoil?

There are, naturally, a myriad of theories: many suggested the “maturity” of Jordanians, whilst

others cited Western financial support and the UN’s management of refugee immigration to the country.

However, the recent surge in Syrians is not the first time Jordan has opened its boarders to refugees. During the 2003 Iraq war 24,000 Iraqis sought refuge in the country, and today — although some are slowly returning home — there are entire cafés adopted by groups of Iraqi doctors, lawyers, or civil servants. Sitting there, drinking Jordan’s bitter coffee, it’s easy for one to imagine the same scene on Sadoun Street in Baghdad, only without the danger.

Jordan has always welcomed other nationalities at time of hardship. It’s a melting pot of the Middle East, with half of the 8.2m populations from Palestine.

In addition, there are minorities such as Circassians, Chechens, Armenians and Egyptians.

Yet one would be mistaken in thinking Jordan has stayed peaceful over the years by chance, although it’s evident of repression within the society. The country has been lucky in its political leaders, whose faces you see adorned on lampposts and walls, in the backs of cars and in people’s windows. You see this a

lot when travelling the Middle East, but more than anywhere else in Jordan. The late King Hussein and his son, now King Abdullah II, seem genuinely popular.

Amman in an interesting and diverse place: it’s well run — by Middle Eastern standards — and has an understated charm. You can wander round the intimate Roman amphitheatre, imagining an age when the townspeople would converge here to watch violent fights. You can peruse the shops where they sell woven carpets; enjoy a cup of sharp, sour coffee while reading a newspaper; and eat. My guide introduces me one of the most authentic restaurants in downtown, where we gorge on pitta, humus, olives and pick apart the most succulent Mansaf ¬— a lamb dish. In the evenings one can wander around vibrant Rainbow Street, or seek out a secluded restaurant for dinner.

For tourists, Petra is Jordan’s A-list attraction, a “lost” citadel whose prime landmark – the carved, colonnaded wonder Al Khazneh (“The Treasury”) – has illuminated countless documentaries and films. Familiarity does not diminish its majesty when you see it for yourself. Nor does

the sheer weight of people who swirl around this surprisingly large ancient site.

Later, back in Amman, I asked my guide, Moeeb Hassam, about the recent Friday prayer protests.

He like many Jordanians laments the surge in refugees from Syria: “There are too many Syrians in Jordan. They have money from the European Union, so can afford better houses.” Rent was commonly 300 Jordanian dinar (about £270) a month, but has surged to over JD500 since the arrival of Syrians.

So there are tensions on immigration. Whether these are founded or not is unknown. Immigrants help Jordan’s prospering economy, and its diversity makes it an interesting place. Some may have qualms with the Syrians, but this is only natural. One thing is certain though. Jordan is the safe haven within the world’s most volatile region, and this should be celebrated.

read more on wnolondon.net

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THE WNOL ECHO | WNOLONDON.NET | FRIDAY NOVEMBER 28

Investigations 2015 General Election

British politics: Game on for 2015 Ben Collier

A

head of the 2015 general election, the UK politics scene is very much an open playing field with the rise of the “small party” snapping at the heals of the big three. Ukip and the Greens are mounting in popularity squeezing the vote for the Conservatives, Labour and the Lib Dems.

This May, Ukip proved a great success in the local elections after almost a quarter of voters opted for them to act as their representatives. This was the most success a ‘new party’ had received for the first time since World War II. In the run up to the 2015 General Elections, the yellow and purple team are proving formidable with their anti-Europe pro-UK campaign. This weeks Ashcroft nation poll suggests Ukip are two points up from the previous weeks results receiving 18 per cent of the votes. The Green’s have also displayed party success, on par with the coalition government’s Liberal Democrats, receiving seven per cent of the votes from the same popularity poll.

The previous month Observer figures showed 31 per cent of voters would back Nigel Farage if his party could win in their constituency. In response to the ballot, a poll held by YouGov revealed national support for the Greens would be backed at 26 per cent if voted to lead local constituencies. It begs the question, why are UK voters turning to the appeal of the ‘small man’?

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As part of a research conducted by YouGov, it found that in March 2012, Ukip had just five per cent support ranking fourth place among the UK’s political parties. In just over two years, the party’s success has tripled, pushing the Liberal Democrats down to fourth position.

Analysis from YouGov has found the proportion of Ukip voters coming from the Labour party has trebled since January 2013. In the party’s early stages in 2010, Ukip stole 60 per cent of their votes from the Conservatives. In 2014, the party has stolen 36 per cent of their votes from the Conservatives, meaning stolen votes from additional parties range more than before.

The Greens have displayed a similar rise in popularity, as it is expected more than 80 per cent of the party’s vote in 2015 will come from those who originally supported other parties, most of whom come from the Lib Dems.

In an attempt to settle the impeding tremble of Ukip’s promise to deliver the UK independence from the EU, Cameron has imposed a referendum on the European Union to be held if re-elected in 2015. Ukip statistics reveal that the membership to the union costs Britain £120bn per year.

On November 28, David Cameron addressed the EU seeking reform on curbing welfare benefits of immigrants entering Britain. Cameron said, “by restricting the ability of migrants to stay here without a job, and by reducing the incentives for lower paid, lower

skilled workers to come here in the first place.” Cameron attacked Labour by incorporating immigration into the Tory’s “long term economic plan”, as expected of the Conservatives pitch in 2015’s general elections, the PM will address Labour’s inability to secure a serious economic plan. Ed Miliband highlighted, “David Cameron promised the British people he’d cut net migration. It’s gone up.

He has broken his promise” after it was revealed net migration had made a 100,000 increase from the previous year.

‘As squabbling occurs at the top, confidence fades’ As squabbling occurs at the top between the two leading parties, confidence fades. In the latest YouGov survey for The Sunday Times, Miliband’s leadership popularity rating dropped to it’s lowest since 2012, after 71 per cent of voters said he was “doing badly” at his job. Former Labour PM Tony Blair divulged that if Miliband steers toward the far left, he will be putting a majority win at risk in 2015. The Conservatives faced harsher blows in recent times as Ukip won two seats in the House of Commons from defected members of the party.

Conservative defector Douglas Carswell has become the first ever-elected Ukip MP by winning the Clacton by-election. Carswell described his decision in changing colours due to the lack of loyalty to, “grass routes”

conservatism and the lack of seriousness on matters of immigration by his previous party. In November Ukip candidate Mark Reckless won the Rochester and Strood by election confirming their second seat in the House of Commons.

In raising doubts of Nick Cleggs leadership, Natalie Bennett, Green party leader mentions, “With the Lib Dems you’ve really got to ask the question ‘what do they stand for?’ There’s really not a clear answer to that question,” following the Greens first poll lead over the Lib Dems in over a decade.

As UK politics takes a turn, it’s unbeknown what to expect of the 2015 elections. Consistently Labour have lead polls, despite party followers dissatisfied by Miliband’s proceedings. Some exclaim that Ukip’s anti-Europe policy just isn’t enough as the party lacks scope on foreign affairs such as Palestine and the East. It is highly unlikely the Tory’s will win by a majority, if at all, as this time in 2010 they were rocketing ahead. The fight rages on as the Lib Dems desperately grab at the arms of escaping liberals, students and feminist’s whose eyes bare towards the Greens. However, the possibility of a minority government is on the cards with the likes of Labour seeking the help of the Lib Dems or the SNP. But maybe, just maybe a discontent of the people is being brought to life and put into practice if the UK sees the success of a rising party. Who knows?

Sport

THE WNOL ECHO | WNOLONDON.NET | FRIDAY NOVEMBER 28

The prolific striker nobody wants English football’s fury over a convicted rapist Alice Mason

C

hed Evans was found guilty of the rape of a 19-year old woman in 2012. Since his release from prison on October 17th he has been all over the papers for a multitude of different issues.

Despite continuously pleading his innocence, he was sentenced to five years in prison but only served half his sentence before being released earlier this month.

This sparked mass debates as to whether the former Sheffield United star should ever play professional football again.

‘bringing Ched Evans in would clearly have alienated a number of supporters’ Yesterday, it was reported that Tranmere Rovers had been approached by the convicted rapist’s agent but rejected the opportunity to recruit Ched Evans. But what has happened in the weeks previous to this would have definitely influenced the League Two club’s decision.

WNOL Sport have been following the developments of the Ched Evans story from the beginning and as it all starts to wind down after weeks of outrage amongst the football community and world alike, this article takes a look at what unraveled after his release and what the ex-footballer will do next.

Evans was playing for Sheffield United at the time of the incident but was upon his conviction was released. The club sparked rumours that they may possibly re-sign the former Welsh international when their chairman, accompanied by manager Nigel Clough, paid Evans a visit in prison. In April the pair were said to have offered their former player a deal to train and prove his fitness before re-signing for the Blades upon his release.

However, the League One club never confirmed this requiring

the public to keep a close eye on believe a convicted rapist should both parties. go back to the club… and to An article written on the represent the community.” The WNOL website on the day of his TV presenter had previously release titled: “Ched Evans: Done revealed that she has been his time or too bad a crime” saw sexually assaulted as a teenager overwhelmingly people vote on and therefore could not support a our opinion poll against Ched decision where he would be given Evans ever returning to play the a position as “a role model beautiful game in this country influencing the next generation again. Although, most agreed it of men.” wouldn’t be long before we saw As Charlie Webster made a him back. stand, so did three other popular Surprise, surprise, the Blades patrons of the Sheffield club offered the convicted rapist a – who all spoke out about their chance to train at the club - aldisagreement and disappointthough they insisted that this ment with the decision. Pop star was a request from the Dave Berry was next to Professional resign from his role Footballers and local Association. businesswoman This instiLindsay gated Graham also trouble for quit as the the snowball Blades, as of they were destrucsubject to tion backlash continued. from A few days supportlater, ers, the Sheffield media and United were their own club disowned by patrons. It was another one of the beginning of a their famous few weeks of hell for supporters as Beautiful PHOTO: Twitter the Sheffield club, South star Paul Heaton which seemed to have stood down as a patron a new issue everyday. of the club’s community The extremely detailed foundation. The singer said his statement which was released on decision was made with “regret” the 11th of November on but he believes Evans should “not Sheffield United’s official website walk straight out of prison and stated that Evans is allowed to into the shirt of the club he so “train at the club’s facilities”. badly let down.”

Consequently signatures on the It was to get worse for the petition opposing Evan’s League One club as the continure-employment soared beyond ous backlash was non-stop on 165,000 – most of which came Twitter and their shirt sponsors from Blades supporters themthreatening to quit should the selves despite the club being in 25-year-old be re-singed by the desperate need for a striker and club. Not only this but, Jessica the Welshman scoring nearly 50 Ennis-Hill called for her name to goals in 113 appearances before removed from the stand at his conviction.

United’s stadium, Bramall Lane, Charlie Webster was the first if they offer the convicted rapist a official patron of the club to contract. “Those in positions of resign from her role, just a day influence should respect the role after the decision was made. they play in young people’s lives Explaining that she “didn’t and set a good example,”

explained the Olympic champion.

MPs and footballers collaborated in criticising the club for their decision as the Blades became subject to continuous scrutiny by the footballing world.

What made things worse for the club was the fact that so-called fans took to Twitter to abuse the females who had taken a stand against the club’s decision and threaten rape upon them too.

Eventually, the backlash got too much for Sheffield United and they released a statement on the 20th of November, just nine days after their previous one making a complete U-turn on their decision. WNOL Sport’s article ‘Cheerio Ched’ covered the breaking news as the League One club tried to justify their decision by speaking out about the repercussions: “The reaction to this has been at an intensity that could have not been anticipated when first announced.”

The PFA said they hoped Evans would get a second chance at a club elsewhere. With last week’s developments the footballing community were left wondering just where Ched Evans will go next? In most people’s eyes, it’s not a case of if the striker will return, but when and where.

‘The reaction to this has been at an intensity that could not have been anticipated’ There are rumours that Ched Evans will end up playing his trade aboard, as it seems for now that English football are standing their ground and maintaining morals. It may not be long before the convicted rapist is back in the job so many people dream of doing.

Would you have a convicted rapist playing for your club? What do you think about the situation?

Let us know on the website or our Twitter page.

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THE WNOL ECHO | WNOLONDON.NET | FRIDAY NOVEMBER 28

Sport Boxing

British boxing back on top

The resurgence has brought back the glory days we never thought we’d see

PHOTO: Twiter

Sunveer Sandhu

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hen Tony Bellew finally settled his grudge against long-time rival Nathan Cleverly last Saturday, he will have left the Echo Arena with a taste of injustice. Fans were left dismayed after the fireworks they were promised turned out to be a dud. Although the fight didn’t live up to its build-up, one thing was for certain: British boxing is back. The reason why is down to one man – Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn.

Taught to promote by the man who shares his name, Hearn has studied his father closely in the art of generating media frenzies.

Acknowledging that boxing’s position as the number-one contact sport in the UK was under threat, his idea of producing domestic clashes to excite the public once more has been justified over these past two years.

Young, charismatic and a boxing-lover himself, he understands watching the sport he adores is never easy. The question which causes the fiercest debate among fans is: ‘Who would have won between...’

– but bizarrely this question has recently included fantasy match-ups with two prime boxers in the same weight division, same willingness to fight…and the same era.

Cast your mind back to Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson not squaring up in the 90’s (although it did eventually happen – just ten 10

years too late); Roberto Duran and Alexis Arguello never fighting when the circumstances were perfect in 1978; Riddick Bowe and Lennox Lewis continuing their fearsome rivalry to this very day on social media when it should have been settled in the ring two decades earlier; and most recently, and most controversially – Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao in the super-fight that had the potential to be the biggest sporting event of all time.

‘Make the fights that the fans want to see’ has been his mantra since he first came onto the scene just over four years ago and it is the same today.

November 2010 was the first major event Hearn promoted.

The man he was backing was Audley Harrison - the Olympic gold-medallist convincing the nation this his moment to finally prove the doubters wrong. That Saturday night was many things: the final time Harrison was ever taken seriously; the breaking of a new frontier by bringing blue-riband boxing back to Britain; and perhaps most significantly, the arrival of a new British promoter by the name of Eddie Hearn.

‘Make the fights that the fans want to see’

Inevitably, that fight tends to be told through the prism of Harrison - with hundreds of thousands remembering it for spending £14.99 to witness him land just one jab before he was

knocked out in the third round.

But it was just as a defining moment for Hearn as it was for the man they now call Fraudley.

Many in Hearn’s position would have been deterred from making more domestic fights after such a nightmare inauguration. But Hearn carried on with his belief and earlier this year was the crowning glory in a short career as he staged the record-breaking Froch-Groves II at Wembley stadium in front of 80,000 screaming Brits.

The British public love two fighters they are able to relate to, two fighters who they have followed for years going up against each other and having to decide whom to assign their loyalties to. Hearn has capitalised on that to build the fights which captures the public’s imagination – and left America’s promoters to take notice.

‘If you’re good enough, you will win’ With his charisma, courage and the knowledge to assemble what no other promoter dared to do for years, he often puts two prospects that cannot afford to lose in the same squared circle.

As he says - “if you’re good enough, you will win.”

Frank Warren has followed Hearn’s blueprint with Chris Eubank Jr, the son of super-middleweight legend Chris Eubank Sr., set to take on Billy Joe Saunders in a grudge match at the Excel Arena in London tomorrow night. The fight will be on the undercard of a world title final eliminator between Tyson Fury and Dereck Chisora – another intriguing domestic clash.

What makes this so fascinating is it is between two out-spoken, young undefeated fighters who detest one another.

No titles, just two talented boxers with the hunger to succeed where the winner will become a household name and have world-title opportunities ahead of him; and where the loser will suffer in the wilderness as he strives to overcome the setback and climb from the bottom of the ladder once again. That is why this fight – between these two

young British prospects – has overshadowed the build-up from Fury and Chisora.

But it has been Hearn, often perceived as over-the-top and with a tendency to overhype some of his fighters, to prove boxing isn’t dead. That may seem like a hyperbole in itself, but die-hard boxing fans have fell out of love with the sport they cherish in the Mayweather era of boxing – where big-name fighters have two fights a year against low-level boxers in a catch-weight on Pay-Per-View.

It is a more frequent trend in America where the best fighters face average opponents. Or where the best fighters don’t fight the guy everybody wants to see him fight. Mayweather and Pacquiao should have fought when both were in their prime in 2009: but reasons unbeknown to most, it never happened.

Since Hearn took over the boxing division of his father Barry Hearn’s company – Matchroom Sports – boxing has once again taken its rightful place as one of the biggest sports in the country. Striking up an exclusive 23-fights-a-year deal with Sky Sports, the domestic clashes have been made ever since.

‘No titles, just two talented boxers with the hunger to succeed’

British boxing fans will have an exciting year in 2015 if Hearn can produce similar magic to what he has produced in 2014.

Amir Khan and Kell Brook has the potential to fill out Wembley Stadium next summer, even without the world title Brook has hanging off his shoulders.

Callum Smith and George Groves is another Hearn intends to announce next year which will have British fans salivating in excitement. Though essentially domestic dust-ups, there are global implications in the fights being made with titles on the line or being eliminators for world titles.

After years in the wilderness, the freshness of Hearn has motivated the other British promoters to stand up and do better. The good times are back.

THE WNOL ECHO | WNOLONDON.NET | FRIDAY NOVEMBER 28

Formula One Sport

Hamilton finds a winning formula With the championship over, it’s time to recap the season Shelana Bernadine-Williams

T

he Formula 1 season seems to have passed as fast as a round of pit-stops. With a few days to reflect since Lewis Hamilton took his second world championship under the lights in Abu Dhabi, a lot has rumbled on in the high octane sport, and some of it is quite hard to digest.

For all the battles raging in the paddock, the season was stolen Mercedes. A season long battle between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg was finally decided under the bravado of double points and the hope of a battle to the bitter end. The weekend’s build-up focused mainly on the two Silver Arrows drivers.

The race was effectively over as soon as the lights went out at the Yas Marina circuit. The Brit’s explosive start promoted him into first within the first lap.

Rosberg contended with mechanical is-sues throughout the latter half of the race, which left Hamilton unchallenged for his 11th race win.

In securing his second world title, Hamilton earned his place in motor sporting history. He be-comes only the forth British driver to have won multiple world champions behind Graham Hill, Jim Clark and Jackie Stewart.

The season closed with a deserving winner, however it does not overshadow the hard times en-dured, whilst the growing wedge driven between the smaller teams and the big spenders plagued Formula 1.

Force India co-owner Vijay Mallya has been a mouthpiece for the struggles of smaller Formula 1 teams this season.

Both Caterham and Marussia became examples of this, entering administration during the season.

‘Hamilton earned his place in motor sporting history’ Caterham managed to enter both cars in Abu Dhabi through public funding. In the same space of time, Marussia ceased trading. As whole teams depart, so do drivers. Jean-Eric Vergne,

Kamui Kobayashi, and both Sauber drivers, Esteban Gutierrez and Adrian Sutil, make way on the grid.

McLaren have opted to keep their drivers on tenterhooks until December. Both Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen made the best of a struggling car and argue good cases for why they each de-serve a race seat.

Because of his performance in the Middle East, Button’s case might be a little more sturdier than his Danish colleague’s. The Brit finished fifth at the Yas Marina circuit, securing fifth place in the constructor’s championship for McLaren.

‘The race was effectively over as soon as the lights went out at the Yas Marina circuit’ Losing this position would have meant the British would have lost hundreds of millions of pounds in funding.

Button’s driving experience might be deemed expendable in place of the 22 year old rookie, as Fernando Alonso waits in the wings.

Alonso’s fortunes themselves have not been note worthy while at Ferrari. Expecting to add a third world championship to his tally, the Spaniard has fallen short three times while driving for the Scuderia. “‘Ay ay ay ay ay’, why do I start in qualifying with low battery? How is this possible? How?” he exclaimed in Brazil, summing up not only his problems in qualifying, but the whole sea-son.

The move to McLaren sees Alonso go back to the team where a young Lewis Hamilton ruled su-preme in 2007. McLaren are currently facing teething problems with their new engine supplier as electrical issues have cut their first set of testing sessions short. However, issues he leaves be-hind at Ferrari dwarf these problems.

The unloved four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel seems happy to contend with these prob-lems. Vettel’s cosy love affair with Red Bull racing

PHOTO: Wikipedia

came to a halt with the arrival of Daniel Ricciar-do. Since their first race together in Australia, Vettel has been out-qualified and outpaced at nearly every race.

Winning no races this season, his miserable season will go down as one of the worst defences of a championship title in Formula 1 history.

“You go through happy days and sad days, you go through them together and I think I learned a lot… I feel ready for the next step.” the German said after the race at Abu Dhabi.

With the combination of Vettel and a rejuvenated James Allison onboard, Ferrari look to rekindle the Schumacher era of old. He moves in the knowledge that regardless of how bad his season with Red Bull was, he still managed to place higher than both Ferrari cars in Abu Dhabi and finish-es above both in the driver’s championship.

The move grants him the chance to fulfill his childhood dream of racing for Ferrari. It’s timing could prove to be a master stroke or a massive mistake. One driver that had a promising future with the team was Jules Bianchi. He managed to place his Marussia car 9th in the Monaco Grand Prix, scoring the Russian team their first ever points in Formula 1.

The euphoric highs came with devastating lows as he sustained during the Japanese Grand Prix - a reminder of just how dangerous a sport Formula 1 is.

The two points he gained in Monaco awarded Marussia ninth in the constructor’s championship. They placed higher than two other teams who contested the final race, even though they failed to compete in the season’s final three races. Potential buyers may be tempted with the sum of mon-ey the team would receive because of this. Only time can tell if this proposition is attractive enough to save the Russian outfit.

Jules was not the only young driver to impress this year.

Daniel Ricciardo is the only driver outside of Mercedes to pick up wins this season. Daniil Kvyat also had an eye-catching season, earning him a drive with Red Bull in 2015. Valtteri Bottas has to be a stand out star, keeping both Mer-cedes honest constantly throughout the season.

With all the underlying stories, Mercedes takes all the headlines.

The captured the double - the drivers and constructors championship - without having to show the full capabilities of their car.

They look on course to continue in on in the same way next season, unless the other teams around them can put the winter break to good use and find that extra second to close the gap on the Silver Arrows.

The new Formula 1 season begins in March with its usual opener in Melbourne where undoubtedly Mercedes will start their charge off with a bang.

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Sport

THE WNOL ECHO | WNOLONDON.NET | FRIDAY NOVEMBER 28

Make or break time for Lancaster’s squad There may not be any silverware on offer at Twickenham on Saturday, but a win against Australia would be worth its weight in Webb Ellis gold

PHOTO: Tiger Images

Josh Wright

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n many respects Tomorrows clash will mark the coming together of the autumn’s biggest underachievers. Both have only championed victory on one occasion and both find themselves in disarray for similar reasons.

But before we sink our teeth into the current hopes of a fledgling England national side, let us first take a trip back through rugby folklore to the autumn of 2002.

On that occasion, Martin Johnson was the captain, Clive Woodward the mastermind, Twickenham the setting and the might of New Zealand the first of three southern hemisphere outfits to chance their arm against the freshly engraved Six Nations champions.

It was during that autumn series that England started the catalyst to what developed into an unblemished year of rugby in 2003.

But prior to achieving Grand Slam success and World Cup triumph, the inaugural autumn series saw England record only their fifth ever victory over the All Blacks, their third consecutive win over Australia, and utter annihilation over South Africa to complete a clean sweep of southern hemisphere scalping’s 12

to lay down a real marker of dominance to the international world of rugby.

It was during that time that England made Twickenham a fortress. A placed revered by other nations, but at the same time an environment that made the knees tremble with fear. For when as soon as England had finished belting out the national anthem with the voice of a country behind them and the game had begun, the opposition knew they were in for a hiding.

Yet, 12 years on and England find themselves trying to replicate similar feats but falling flat on their face. There could not be much starker disparity between Woodward’s 2002 preparations and Lancaster’s progression now.

While Woodward already knew his one to 15, Lancaster is still searching for the combinations that execute his game plan best, let alone the oil that brings the team together as one.

In fact the only personnel you can be sure of starting against Fiji in the World Cup’s opening match – injuries permitting - is Mike Brown and Chris Robshaw - the latter’s place only sealed due to the captains armband he wears with such high regard.

Danny Care is one of those who appears to have altered course from the one Lancaster

has so tightly set. The Harlequins scrum half was made Lancaster’s first choice at the end of the tour of New Zealand during the summer, but two poor performances has seen the nine merry-go-round start back up with Ben Youngs now back in control of the fabled jersey.

If Lancaster has learnt anything from what has been a humbling autumn process, is that he needs his injured stars back and firing in time for the Six Nations in February.

England’s opening match-day squad boosted 437 caps compared New Zealand’s 1,023 total. The inexperience showed as careless mistakes proved the difference and meant the current World Champions didn’t even needed to step foot out of third gear.

Errors would again prove fatal against the Springboks a week later, and they almost stifled any renaissance against minnows Samoa in what proved an opportunity missed by Lancaster to convert a growing contingent of doubting sceptics.

Lancaster began the autumn with up to nine regular starters void from selection and with the hopes of a World Cup balancing on the shoulders of cross-code convert Sam Burgess - England’s answer to New Zealand’s Sonny-Bill Williams - who is yet to

step on the field with 14 other teammates.

England’s recent form reads five defeats from six in 2014, but it would be wrong to label England a squad in crisis. Amid those defeats have seen England play the All Blacks four times, who themselves have only lost once in two years, and the Springboks, who inflicted that sole defeat to Steve Hansen’s men.

Robshaw will lead out England to another capacity Twickenham crowd on Saturday preying his men can finally deliver in front of 82,000 ardent supporters.

Billy Twelvetrees will partner Brad Barritt to form England’s third midfield pairing of the autumn while Northampton duo Tom Wood and Dylan Hartley also return to the starting fold as Lancaster searches to rediscover the winning formula against the elite forces of world rugby.

A successful Six Nations and triumph at the World Cup will remain in the peripherals of Lancaster when he steps foot into the coliseum of Twickenham on Saturday afternoon, but never before has the England head coach encountered what feels like an autumn final as he desperately attempts to thwart the fear of doubt and mediocrity ravaging through camp before a monumental year of English rugby.