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Day: 26 October 2014

NUS refuse to condemn ISIS on grounds of “Islamophobia”

Written by Jennifer Sterne on . Posted in News.

The National Union of Students (NUS), who in the past have condemned UKIP and Robin Thicke and voted to boycott Israel (all considered highly controversial moves), will not condemn Islamic State (IS), as they consider it would be “Islamophobic” to do so.

The rejected motion, ‘Iraqi Solidarity’, proposed to “campaign in solidarity with the Iraqi people and in particular support the hard-pressed students’, workers’ and women’s organisations [fighting] against all the competing nationalist and religious-right forces.”

They also planned to encourage students to boycott anyone found to be funding IS or supplying them with goods, while in turn making contact with Iraqi and Kurdish organisations in order to form solidarity and support.

According to a recent report from the United Nations Human Rights Council, IS “routinely kills Muslims and non-Muslims alike even when they have not taken up arms against ISIS. Such killings constitute violations of Islamic law and morality as well as war crimes.”

In the proposal put forward to the NEC it was also outlined “that rape and other forms of sexual violence are being used as weapons against women in IS-occupied areas, while minorities are being ethnically cleansed.”

In the face of all of this, however, the NUS still refuse to condemn this terror group and, consequently, to support the Kurdish and Iraqi forces fighting against it. At NUS Scotland, the motion was passed unanimously.

This is all comes very soon after the NEC decided to pass a motion to boycott Israel, which many argued at the time could create the alienation of Israeli students.

Despite this controversial move, their reasoning for not condemning IS was that, as a spokesperson for the NUS outlined in a statement, “some committee members felt that the wording of the motion being presented would unfairly demonise all Muslims rather than solely the group of people it set out to rightfully condemn.”

The NUS, whilst arguing the motion was “Islamophobic”, also opposed the proposal on the grounds of it being pro-American military intervention.

Malia Bouattia, the NUS Black Students’ Officer who opposed the proposal, wrote in a Facebook post last week that “we stand in complete solidarity with the Kurdish people against the recent attacks by ISIS and join many others in condemnation of their brutal actions. In doing so we recognise that condemnation of ISIS appears to have become a justification for war and blatant Islamaphobia. This rhetoric exacerbates the issue at hand and in essence is a further attack on those we aim to defend.”

She added: “A motion will be taken to the next NUS National Executive which truly reflects the situation. This motion will pose a condemnation of the politics and methods of ISIS as well as unequivocal support for the Kurdish people. It will in no way pander to Western imperialistic intervention or the demonisation of Muslim peoples.”

Aaron Kiely, a member of the NEC, wrote for Stop the War Coalitions’ website arguing that “there has been a smear campaign in the media accusing the anti-war movement of supporting the barbaric terrorist group ISIS.”

Kiely argued his anti-war stance by highlighting that “the current US bombing campaign of Iraq and Syria will not defeat ISIS. The way to defeat ISIS is not by using the methods which led to its creation.”

However in the motion put forward, while it outlines the proposal to condemn IS, it proposes to do so “while expressing no confidence or trust in the US military action.”

Clifford Fleming, last year’s Campaign and Citizenship officer at Manchester Students’ Union, and now a member of the NEC, seconded the ‘Iraqi solidarity’ motion.

In a statement to The Mancunion he said, “The NEC voted the motion down due to an overall feeling that the motion currently had pro-intervention rhetoric—which nobody wanted.

“I absolutely support Malia’s concerns, and she agreed to bring something back to the next meeting. I find it completely inappropriate and concerning how since this has happened it has been claimed that identity politics has a “stranglehold” on the NEC.

“Of course those who are voted to represent groups of students should voice their concerns—it is their duty. Malia has since received multiple threats and abuse, including from the fascist EDL, which goes to show her concerns were absolutely valid.”

However Roza Salih, co-writer of the motion and NUS Scotland’s International Students’ Officer, speaking to Solidarity, said, “the people who opposed the motion are now saying they support the Kurds, which is good, but actions speak louder than words. It seems that they are more focussed on opposing intervention than making solidarity.”

Manchester set to benefit from €24m ‘smart green growth’ fund

Written by Andy van den Bent-Kelly on . Posted in News, Science & Tech.

Manchester is one of three cities set to receive a share of a €24 million fund to demonstrate pioneering green technologies.

Together with Stavanger in Norway and Eindhoven in the Netherlands, the city will form a consortium called Triangulum, which will see designated urban districts transformed into smart quarters. The funding is part of a European Commission scheme to demonstrate ‘smart green growth’ by reducing carbon emissions while simultaneously boosting the economy.

In Manchester, the focus will be on The Corridor, a stretch of Oxford Road close to the universities. The site currently covers 243 hectares and is being developed into a knowledge-led business location.

This funding will enable investment in various technologies, ranging from renewable energy to intelligent energy management using IT data. It will also support the increased use of electric vehicles.

Manchester City Council will be leading the project, working alongside the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University. Some Manchester-based businesses will also be involved, including energy giant Siemens and digital technology company Clicks and Links.

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said, “cities use a large proportion of the world’s resources and need to be in the forefront of environmental improvements.

“New technologies are opening up opportunities all the time and Corridor Manchester has the right conditions to show how smart city districts can help make a positive difference.”

The Vice Chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University and chair of the Corridor Board, Professor John Brooks, said, “this funding will help us realise the potential of the Corridor.

“It is large enough to demonstrate new approaches to smart cities at scale and suitably well-connected to attract international attention. The strong track record of partnership working in this city will enable to deliver multiple projects in an integrated way.”

Juergen Maier, CEO of Siemens UK, said, “Siemens is absolutely delighted that with this funding Manchester can push ahead with this project.

“The Corridor has all the right assets for establishing an international smart city district, demonstrating how new technologies can drive growth whilst at the same time reducing carbon emissions. We hope to be able to help the project achieve these objectives.”

The Corridor currently employs 58000 people, roughly 12 per cent of the city’s workforce. It is home to pharmaceutical companies, educational industries and financial service organisations.

NHS workers strike over pay

Written by Kathryn Murray on . Posted in News.

For the first time in 32 years, NHS employees took industrial action in a dispute over pay. The four-hour walkout occurred on Monday 13th October from 7am until 11am.

Over 400000 health service staff took action, including midwives, nurses and ambulance crew. However figures have emerged that only 9.5 per cent of Unison, UK’s largest healthcare union, voted in favour of strike action—fewer than one in 10.

The strike, involving seven trade unions, comes after a recent recommendation to award NHS staff with a one per cent pay rise was rejected by the government. Health secretary Jeremy Hunt said if the suggested pay rise was granted, more than 14000 nurses would be laid off by hospitals as a result.

Strikers voiced frustration that NHS personnel were likely to become the only group of staff in England not to receive what their pay review body recommended whilst MPs were poised to receive an 11 per cent rise.

Cathy Warwick chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives stated: “At a time when MPs are set for a 10 per cent pay rise, we’re told that midwives don’t deserve even a below-inflation one per cent rise. And politicians wonder why the public does not afford them more respect. It feels to a great many people, including midwives, that there is one rule for them and another rule for everybody else.”

During the walkout, A&E units remained open whilst other non-emergency appointments were cancelled. However, hospital staff were seen leaving the picket lines to deal with patients. While ambulance services were sent to emergency situations, those with less serious illness or injury were given “alternative treatment pathways.”

Patients with broken bones and breathing difficulties were told to visit their GP or make their own way to hospital. Military drivers, police, and healthcare professionals from elsewhere in the NHS helped to minimise disruption during the walkout.

Disruption to services will continue as the seven unions involved in the strike are joined by 2600 senior hospital doctors to start work-to-rule action. This is expected to involve staff refusing to do more than the minimum required by the rules of their contract, and precisely follow safety or other regulations in order to cause a slowdown.

Unless the government rethinks its decision to deny the workforce a one per cent pay rise, more industrial action could take place next month. This could involve a full-day walkout.

Rachael Maskell, head of health at the union Unite, said, “we are already planning and will definitely be taking further industrial action if the government doesn’t put more money on the table and doesn’t talk to us.”

Live: Tall Ships

Written by Rachel Connolly on . Posted in Music.

Soup Kitchen
3/10

Soup Kitchen is arguably one of Manchester’s best small band venues. The basement room is intimate, authentically unfurnished and an ideal small capacity for musical clarity. However, this intimacy cast an uncomfortable spotlight on a bland and careless performance by Tall Ships.

Tall Ships attempt to occupy a void in the region of guitar music somewhere between Tokyo Police Club and Bastille, and what niche they carve into an already crowded musical landscape is hard to discern.

A 2012 press release, bizarrely used for the event description at Soup Kitchen describes their sound as “elements of math rock and angular pop” and compares the outfit to “the likes of Battles and Minus The Bear but also the likes of Sigur Rós and Biffy Clyro.” There was nothing heard to warrant these comparisons at Soup Kitchen, just a big messy mess of instruments drowning out each others sounds.

This is the biggest of Tall Ships’ problems, the surplus of band members makes for a sound that lacks coherence and direction, especially in a compact venue. The songs deteriorated into a wall of sound, or maybe chunks of a wall that had been smashed with a hammer and left scattered in a pile on the floor.

Lead singer Ric Phethean’s distinctive Cornish drawl is one redeeming feature of the performance, but for the most part, this is either drowned out or wasted on shoddy lyrics. Tall Ships opened with ‘Ode to Ancestors’ which was an unexpected treat, with Phetean’s vocals taking the limelight. However they quickly cave in to the urge to cram in the riffs, and the show was downhill from there. The tune of ‘Phosphorescence’ in unintelligible and ‘Books’ only has a few, strange lyrics: “time is precious, and time won’t forget us,” repeated three times. Closing on ‘Vessels’ was a highlight, but by then, the performance was unsalvageable.

Review: Manchester Liquor Market

Written by Mancunion on . Posted in Food & Drink.

As readers may be aware, mid-September welcomes Manchester’s annual food festival. Dave at The Drinks Enthusiast decided, in conjunction with this fortnight of culinary heaven, to exhibit some of the finest alcoholic accompaniments around. Bar Elixir was the chosen venue for the event, a cool and intriguing establishment on Deansgate which is worth a visit on any occasion.

We arrived just after 1pm and were directed to the basement, where small crowds of customers stood at various tables, sampling spirits and talking to their vendors. We approached the nearest table, where a smiling woman from Penderyn kicked off our alcoholic adventure with two different Welsh whiskies, vodka, my trusty friend Mr. Gin, and a gorgeous cream liqueur completely non-reminiscent of Baileys.

Following more gin and vodka interspersed with rum, we moved onto an fascinating table where, after tasting some Calvados and claiming a rather fetching promotional hat, the vendor turned our attention to something we had never seen before: ‘Polugar’—familiarly termed ‘bread wine’—was rubbed into our hands to produce the unmistakable scent of freshly baked bread. The same doughy notes were apparent in the drinking, although sadly it smelled nicer than it tasted. We were then offered some incredible ‘Ron Prohibido’; a barrel left in a burnt down distillery was found five years after conventional distillation, producing a darkness of colour and tone unique for a non-spiced rum.

Continuing our alcoholic education, we were served absinthe with iced water from cut-glass chalices. As I informed the stockist of my lifelong aversion to aniseed, she cracked out a bottle of chocolate absinthe. At this point my lucidity had very much started slipping, so all I can say on the subject is that if you ever get the opportunity to taste, buy, or bathe in this stuff, then do not miss out.

By this point my words had started to slur and I thought I was the source of all knowledge. We sipped on three dreamy apéritif wines despite being far past an appropriate apéritif stage. We discussed the shameful drinking habits of the youth of today whilst knocking back crystal-clear rum. I tried to verify my improvised knowledge of Cognac by bringing out my horrific nasal French accent and namedropping anything vaguely Francophone I could remember.

We were enjoying ourselves so much that we decided to sit down. A couple of bowls of complimentary bar snacks later, and I was continuing to wax lyrical about philosophy and fine drinking. We attempted a round two, but it proved much less successful (and frankly, I don’t remember much).

Despite this, I learnt something interesting about American whisky distillation. I learnt that I still like tequila. We drank something very cherry flavoured and I got distracted by a baby (I don’t think it was drinking). Sibling gin—the final table—showed us the snazzy machine they use to distil their spirit and with that we were defeated.

Just about managing to remain upright, I returned to the first table to double check my opinion on that cream liqueur. Confidence restored, we hobbled up the stairs and out into the open. It had just turned 5:30pm, giving us just enough time to make a couple of expensive mistakes in a high-end footwear shop.

Elixir Tonics & Treats,
123 Deansgate,
Manchester,
M3 2BY.

Visit http://drinksenthusiast.com/ for more information and events.

Female Student Defence at the university

Written by Abbie Piazza on . Posted in Features.

From an early age, young females are constantly reminded of the dangers that they may face in their lifetime. This has caused girls to regularly acknowledge their own supposed vulnerability and therefore, they will take the appropriate precautions to prevent becoming a victim of an attack.

Women are forever being reminded to never walk home alone, not to get too drunk, try to go home with a friend, never leave a drink unattended, and so on. Although this advice is well intended, it has resulted in many young females merely avoiding situations in which they could meet potential danger.

However women are rarely informed about how they should react if they are confronted with a dangerous situation.

The Huffington Post quoted that roughly 20 per cent of women will be sexually assaulted throughout their time at university; however I’m sure if you ask the majority of female university students they would not know how to react in a sexual assault situation.

I’m sure that many girls share the same mentality as I do and think “it will never happen to me,” and continue to avoid certain areas or doing certain things as opposed to actually learning to defend themselves.

At this year’s Welcome Fair, a stall advertising a free women’s self-defence class caught my eye and caused me to question my own abilities at being able to defend myself and then it dawned on me that I would probably be absolutely useless. The following week I went along to one of the classes and what took place in that hour and a half truly did impress me.

The vast amount of girls who had opted to learn self-defence was astounding, however what really amazed me was the people who ran the class.

Not only had they given up their free time for no payment to ensure that girls felt more confident but they also seemed to genuinely care about the girls having effective defence skills and they even showed how to project those skills to a real life situation.

I am proud to be a student of a university that is actually taking proactive measures to ensure their students remain safe and a huge thank you to those individuals of Smart Martial Arts who have already made me feel more confident in my ability to defend myself.

Just six minutes a day can keep stress levels at bay

Written by Laura Pickup on . Posted in News.

A new campaign called ‘Just Six Minutes’ has launched in partnership with Manchester Libraries encouraging people to read more. The campaign has been inspired by World Mental Health Day which was held on Friday 10th October, although the campaign itself will continue throughout the semester until January 26th next year.

A team of researchers at Mindlab International in Sussex, a company which focuses on consumer shopping decisions, have discovered that as little as six minutes of reading a day can notably reduce your stress levels.

The study, led by Dr. David Lewis, found that reading a good book for just several minutes after a long day relaxes people more than listening to soothing music. The ‘Time to Read’ organization is backing this campaign to get more people reading.

Along with the campaign, ‘Books on Prescription’ are available at all Manchester City libraries. Nearly 12000 of these books, which highlight therapies for mild to moderate mental health issues, have been borrowed since June 2013.

Executive member for culture and leisure, Councillor Rosa Battle gave her approval to the campaign: “This research confirms what many booklovers already know—that reading really does have a vital role in helping to reduce stress and improve mental health.”

Despite the shared student loathing of the hours on PubMed and JSTOR needed to get course reading finished and essay deadlines met, the campaign is now providing students with one more reason to rekindle their joy for reading.

However, anticipating that students might struggle enough finding time to read, never mind looking for a good book, Dr. David Lewis, who is leading the study, has recommended using the website www.time-to-read.co.uk for those uncertain of where to begin.

The Art of Tipping: Please, Sir… Can I Have Some More?

Written by Sonny Flood on . Posted in News.

We all recall that opening scene in Reservoir Dogs, don’t we? Steve Buscemi’s Mr. Pink takes a bold stance on his tipping rights—he just doesn’t “believe in it.” Bold for our cross-Atlantic brethren maybe, but here—not so much. The art of the tip remains taboo in the UK and the concept (right or wrong) evades many of us. Broaching the issue is going to require a little tact—this is a sensitive subject.

In the interests of full disclosure, I work in a restaurant; this matter weighs heavy on my heart for that reason. Tipping culture is now (slowly) percolating its way into British society. Distinct from our North American counterparts—where it is, for all intents and purposes, a mandatory obligation—I firmly believe that the art of the tip is, and must remain, an entirely discretionary common courtesy. Having said that, I would always urge that the presumption goes in favour of leaving one, as opposed to none. But no-one is holding a gun to your head.

It is for this reason that service industry workers should be out to impress. It would be a long night if we couldn’t take a joke, (attempt to) crack a joke and, fundamentally, smile. A large part of that restaurant you’re visiting is its atmosphere—you’d be surprised how quickly that would evaporate if everyone walked around with a face like a slapped arse! If we put ourselves out for you, it is satisfying to know that it has been noted and appreciated. A handshake, a bit of gratitude and a polite “thank you” doesn’t go amiss either.

There is an old American acronym which floats around: To Insure Prompt Service (“insure” being American English for “ensure.”) I question the appropriateness. Prompt service is the aim, good service is the game. “Prompt” is the minimum; it is, well, prompt—nothing more, nothing less. It is the least you would expect. But in this regard, too many people take the defensive and scrutinise servers to within an inch of their lives. Sometimes, things go wrong. Don’t use a simple lapse to lambaste your server and, more to the point, don’t write off a gratuity if everything else has gone swimmingly. Ten marks for effort may warrant something.

My point is this: a little goes a long way. Don’t hold your server to perfection, monitoring them and waiting for a mistake. Relax, enjoy the service and don’t overlook courtesy. Although I risk sounding like your mother, manners are so important—be nice to us and we’ll show some reciprocity. Despite what you may think, for the most part we enjoy engaging with customers and earning our tips; we enjoy serving those who don’t treat us like the shit they wiped off their shoe at the door. We’re doing a job, maybe as a stop-gap or maybe as a career, and one day your kids might be doing the same thing. Spare a thought—that’s what counts, and if you can… tip.

Independent Manchester Beer Convention

Written by James Jackman on . Posted in Food & Drink.

Have you ever been to the land of beer? Sadly this land is fictional, however the Independent Manchester Beer Convention (IMBC) acted as an embassy for four days last week. Taking place in the Victoria Baths over 9th-12th October, the IMBC brought together the most progressive breweries to show off their wares in the most impressive of surroundings.

Using the full space of the Victoria Baths, along with part of the car park outside, breweries clamoured to get your attention with their newest ranges. Any flavour of beer, you could probably find it. Want music and strobe lights? Just head to the Turkish Baths. Thought of a bizarre name for a beer? They’ve already got a stranger one. You could forget about traditional alcohol content as well, with certain stouts and ales reaching the lofty heights of 11 per cent. These weren’t beers you’d find in Sainsbury’s, these were boundary-breaking thirds, ready to blow the cobwebs from your tastebuds and dull your other senses.

My favourite beer, I hear you ask? Well that would have to be the “Earl Phantom”, a ‘lemon iced tea sour’ beer, served up by Beavertown Brewery. Upon first taste you were greeted by a jolt of lemon zest, immediately followed up by the soothing taste of a cup of Earl Grey, all finished off with your body desperate for more. Either that or “Rapture” from Magic Rock, an incredibly hoppy red beer, with an intensely colourful flavour, it was another which really made you stop and appreciate what you were tasting. With drinks being served in the traditional one-third of a pint glasses, it was easy to try a wide range before you were ready to collapse down onto the bean bags in front of the music stage.

You’d be forgiven for this event passing you by, with ticket prices of £10, along with no advertising at the student body, you had to be looking out for it. However, increasing ale awareness means that this will soon be an event on any beer drinkers calendar.

Student-aimed campaign ‘Don’t Drink and Drown’ launched in York

Written by Xiaoya Su on . Posted in News.

On Thursday 2nd October the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) UK launched their latest campaign, Don’t Drink and Drown, at the University of York. The campaign aims to caution drinkers, particularly students, to act responsibly near water after a night out, including avoiding walking near bodies of water on the way home.

RLSS UK is a drowning prevention charity which promotes messages and posters at universities, in pubs and on social media to encourage students to sign up to lifesaving classes with the organisation.
The launch of Don’t Drink and Drown followed an inquest on the 1st October into the death of York St. John University student Megan Roberts, who drowned after a night out earlier this year.

It is believed that in late January this year she become separated from friends, after having been drinking at the Students’ Union bar in York, and fell into the river Ouse near York’s Lendal Bridge.

Jackie Roberts, mother of Megan Roberts, has been working closely with RLSS UK on a number of projects over the past few months and spoke of the loss of her daughter at the Don’t Drink and Drown event.

“When you lose someone that you love so dearly, it is too big to accept, you can’t let it be true. The only thing you can do is keep their memory alive by enlarging yourself and channelling your grief into something good.”

However, the death of Megan Roberts is not the only incident of drowning whilst intoxicated within the UK’s student community. Earlier this year former, York University student Ben Clarkson also drowned after a night out, as did a Durham University student Sope Peters in late December in 2013.

Di Steer, the Acting Chief Executive of RLSS UK, said: “Drinking and/or taking drugs near or in water can be a dangerous and deadly cocktail. Alcohol can seriously impede your ability to survive in water.

“We would also ask people to, wherever possible, avoid routes home from a night out drinking that are alongside water, particularly in the darkness, and to always stick with and look out for your friends.”

RLSS UK has announced that from now on their job will be to promote drowning prevention messages and deliver water safety education nationally, including offering a range of awards and programmes that teach lifesaving skills to all ages.

Egypt – a revolution of the heart and the mind

Written by Marina Iskander on . Posted in Opinion.

There were songs, chants, flags, fireworks—our favorite street had suddenly transformed into a platform for celebration. Twenty-four hours earlier, it had been bombarded by cameras from international stations reporting on the “chaos” in Egypt. Two years earlier, the world watched as Egyptians chanted and fought for a new government. There was blood and there were tears, but at the same time there was a budding hope that the world could not see. In the words of the great Shakespeare: “Though this be madness, yet there is method in it.”

Having only been here for a month, I have already been asked dozens of times if it’s really dangerous in Egypt. Aside from the occasional exaggeration or bias of the media, one of its unavoidable fallouts is that it can never truly convey the underlying effects of huge political changes.

On January 25, 2011, the Arab Spring reached Egypt, leading the young, the old, the poor, and the rich to protest for the ousting of then-president, Hosni Mubarak. After he stepped down, members of different political parties nominated themselves; the winner being Mohammed Morsi, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood. In June 2013, Egyptians protested once again for secularism through the removal of the new ruler. Although a new president was elected a year later, these three years have not been easy. The world has done enough reporting and analyzing of the political situation in Egypt, and has not focused nearly enough on the emotional and social effects of the revolution.

It is easy to complain about Egypt; it’s hot, loud and can get pretty crowded. But then there were songs, a huge number of songs written about how beautiful Egypt is. However, when January 2011 rolled around everyone suddenly became a patriot. The radio and the TV screens sang about Egypt’s warm streets and its sparkling Nile, flags hung from windows and alongside buildings and danced to the gentle breeze. One really does need to lose something in order to know what it’s worth—and it took us hundreds of lives, thousands of injuries, and years of protests to realize how much Egypt is worth.

Suddenly, everyone became a politician. Prior to 2011, no one cared much about discussing politics. After realizing that our voices could actually be heard, however, avidly bickering about current events has become a vital aspect of every gathering. It doesn’t matter how much you know—everyone has something to say. Egypt’s history can easily be divided into revolutionary eras that start with a protest and end with a change in government or constitution. It is as if every once in a while we need to look back and realize that it is time for change. It was an awakening, a sudden realization that every voice mattered, and it made the biggest difference.

We united. In January of 2011 there were nights when the streets were too much for the police too handle, so the men of each neighborhood would gather at the gates of buildings or houses to guard their loved ones. People from different backgrounds and histories would gather every night in fear and bravery to do anything they could to help.

The two dominant religious groups, Muslims and Christians, the latter composing an obvious minority, had in the past faced conflicts or disagreements. However, these problems melted away as everyone united for a bigger purpose. Even today, we pride ourselves on the fact that Christians would gather around the Muslims to protect them as they prayed; or that the Muslims stood outside churches during services to avoid any unwelcomed trouble.

Today, Egypt is peacefully easing into new changes, which include a new president. Unlike neighboring countries, however, Egypt has not faced extremist groups like ISIS. Left delicate and healing from its wounds, Egypt would have been an easy target to terrorists or extremists. However, it is what the media doesn’t show, the emotions, the patriotism, and the hope, that has protected Egypt from foreign intervention. The media could report and write and photograph, but they would never be able to capture the fire that has grown inside every Egyptian’s heart. Egyptians are mad; they are madly filled with love and dreams for their nation, and it is this methodical madness that is protecting Egypt today.

Poverty as bleak as our threatened literary outlook.

Written by Joe C. Evans on . Posted in Features.

“Stop the press!”… “No seriously stop the press! It turns out writing just isn’t financially viable anymore.” Figures this year published in the Observer revealed that average wages for full time writers in the United Kingdom have reached a new low.

Nestled comfortably (or rather sat on the floor of a freezing flat because the meter needs topping up) below the Rowntree Foundations minimum income standard, this strikes a blow to our apparently culturally simulative society.

With higher and easier incomes to be made elsewhere it would seem the question is, where is the incentive to write? Luckily I have some, and financial reward isn’t my goal.

So, on filling in the Rowntree Foundations brilliantly titled ‘do you earn enough?’ questionnaire (a question that to me suggests not knowing the answer is in itself an answer) the vast majority of working writers will be told they need more money to survive. The median income for a writer in 2013 being revealed as £11000 p/a highlights the deceptive nature of the literary industry.

The world of writing seems clouded by celebrity, with household names such as J.K. Rowling and Dan Brown accumulating massive personal fortunes through their generally average publications. It is true that lesser-known writers can stumble into this world. Zadie Smith, a Man Booker winner, reportedly received a £250000 advance on the unwaveringly brilliant debut White Teeth, however for most, figures like this are unthinkable.

The world of the working writer it would seem then is one spent fighting impossible odds.

It will of course be argued, by the moronic corners of society, that “a writer must starve for his art.” While this is a romantic image, it is the twenty-first century and it turns out recent humanitarian research will tell you, poverty pisses people off.

While it is true that greats like George Orwell struggled to earn £3 a week from his journalism in the 1930s, it is now 2014. We shouldn’t impose poverty on people who contribute genuinely exceptional work and demonstrate immeasurable skill. Or, in ‘civilised Britain’, impose poverty on anyone really. Writers need to eat, and even John Milton’s considerably successful muse couldn’t help fill his gut.

Author and journalist Damian Barr’s contribution to the argument is telling: “It depresses me that even the crappiest footballer is paid more than our finest literary novelists.” Clearly we (the collective we; because it’s our society and our role to cultivate it) have a lack of comprehension of what constitutes ‘skill’. The marketing director from whose demented psyche the ever-riveting ‘Compare the Meerkat’ was born was last year paid, based again on averages, £68245. Susan Hill, author of the stunning The Woman in Black which spawned a multimillion-pound movie featuring Daniel Radcliffe (I told you we can’t comprehend skill), is, according to her tweets, “still broke.”

During his time as Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove will have earned a basic wage of £67060 p/a. All this while forcing education of the arts further into the mire and championing ‘practical skills’ such as Maths and Science. High-paid governmental figures suppressing the education that inspires future artistic output only serves to further alienate the world of the working writer from that of anyone able to earn and prosper.

While the friendly face of diverse education Michael Gove is no longer in the role, I hold little hope for the arts under his successor, Nicky Morgan. While only time will tell in terms of results, as a former Jurisprudence student with a background in mergers and acquisitions I can’t help but feel the arts are once again in totally unengaged and uninspiring hands.

When it comes to fruition that a writer can earn less money than a waiter* (average pay £11930 p/a) it is no surprise that active pursuit of unashamed financial gain is becoming more prominent.

In the previously mentioned Observer article, literary agent Jonny Geller attempted to calm the storm stating that financial gain can still be attained from writing however only from “projects that are pretty certain to work.” He goes on to say that he advises the writers he represents to “stay flexible” in order to adapt to what is selling.

How depressing an outlook has the industry appropriated that an agent will openly state that he encourages his clients to write not what they feel important but what will turn a profit? This outlook will merely serve to saturate the literary scene with what a readership is told they want.

Apparently what the readership want is 50 Shades of Grey, which sold 5.3 million copies in the UK. Hands up who wants another bestseller like that one? As happened to the music industry, expression or experimentation will become buzzwords in boardroom meetings on the agenda of which is how to artificially reflect them.

The issue highlighted here though is not the greed of our authors. Will Self drew to attention, in a feature for the Guardian, that the number of British writers who are able to comfortably earn a living from writing could easily be fit in “a back bedroom.” The issue is that the treatment of writers has forced them into methods of survival and that these methods of survival serve to starve the literary evolution of our artists.

Writing, and to an extent even reading, are still shamefully considered frivolous pursuits. They don’t provide instant gratification, they don’t directly further a reader’s (or apparently a writer’s) finances, and books aren’t easily consumed. All of these things make them unpopular in a society of quickly palatable information and disposable commodities. This is the cause to the effect that is undervalued writers.

Writing simply doesn’t fit the twenty-first century template for what is ‘useful’ and by this logic it stands to reason that a marketing executive should earn more. Christ, how depressing.

*DISCLAIMER: This is in no way a slight at waiting as a professional. It is a far more noble pursuit than that of a Marketing Director. One delivers what is ordered and then allows you to consume in your own time. The other delivers what nobody in human history has ordered and forces it down your throat. I’ll allow you to decipher that insinuation.

Review: Pieminister

Written by Elena Gibbs on . Posted in News.

The enticing billboard outside presents pastry-encased deliciousness with minty mushy peas, cripsy shallots, thick gravy and grated cheese, all sitting atop a bed of creamy mash for the humble price of £7.95 (bonus: I later found out about the 10 per cent student discount). We went in, and discovered that this wonderful combination is known as ‘The Mothership’, and is available as an upgrade with any single pie, of which flavours range from classic steak & ale (‘moo’) to the more adventurous red wine venison & puy lentil (‘deerstalker’).

As the pies are made fresh in store they are displayed temptingly in a glass window at the counter, which acts as a kind of bar-cross-open kitchen, where you can tentatively watch staff compile plates of food in excited hope that the next one is yours. Service is quick and efficient due to the ready-made pies and open-plan layout: the ‘Mothership’ is stacked, warmed and delivered with a mouthwatering personal gravy boat for you to drown your meal in. They’ve really captured the spirit of Northern tastebuds here, but that by no means implies that other regions will be complaining.

Naturally, I went for the meal deal and enjoyed my succulent beef ‘moo’ with all the trimmings, the mixture of crunch from the onions and softness of the mash combined to make the perfect forkful. My companion opted for the ‘funghi chicken’ and we both agreed that our all-butter shortcrust cases and suet lids deserved the award winning titles they hold.

Their concept is simple without being dull, Pieminister have perfected each element of their food to make sure that your meal hits the spot every time, and their broad range of pies means that it can be a place to revisit frequently even if you are an eater who likes change. Vegetarians and dieters are also safe: options such as the ‘wildshroom’ and lower-calorie ‘light as feta’ earn their place on the menu without any compromise on taste. For me, Pieminister’s main attraction is that the pies are individually encased in shortcrust rather than being dished out from a tray topped with one sheet of puff pastry; having your own personal pie makes it that bit more special.

This is one to visit day or night, as a purposeful selection of craft beers and ciders are available to complement the pies. Other dishes are on the menu such as Soup of the Day and Home made scotch egg, but really you should head here for one thing. So, if you’re feeling ropey, hungry or in the mood for some classic Manchester cuisine, head to the Northern Quarter for a hot and wholesome pie.

http://www.pieminister.co.uk/restaurants/northern-quarter/

Open Monday – Saturday 11am -10pm
Sunday 12pm – 5pm

53 Church Street,
Manchester,
M4 1PD

UKIP won’t be kingmakers, but could embarrass the political elite

Written by Isaac Atwal on . Posted in Opinion.

None of the UK parties have begot the results that were expected or even that they promised in recent memory.

For the ruling coalition, five years of austerity and increased borrowing have left neither party in a good light whilst Labour have appeared limp and impotent with their inability to offer a strong alternative after 2015. People are being forced to tighten their belts as real terms pay cuts start to bite and prices continue rising.

Despite UK legislators being modestly paid compared to their European counterparts, an above-inflation pay rise for what many perceive to be an elitist group of people has only served to increase disenchantment with the system.

These feelings in certain constituencies could give UKIP enough votes to wake Westminster from its slumber; they won’t have their own bench in the Commons but a few close seconds to the big parties will set alarm bells ringing.

UKIP have so far been able to exploit the disaffected and Nigel Farage will hope his party can use this to make an impact on the 2015 general election. He knows that the main parties need to do more to retain swing voters and these are who he will look to target, particularly Conservatives who may feel they have been let down by David Cameron.

If his government wins the upcoming vote on intervention in Iraq, which they likely will, he will then have the uneasy task of juggling a fractious party and promoting a military intervention that currently divides the country and brings back painful memories (37 per cent for vs. 36 per cent against, according to YouGov). Expect an anti-war stance from UKIP.

UKIP have been consistently polling around the same level or just above the Liberal Democrats for over 18 months and the latest voting intention YouGov poll places them on 16 per cent, a full nine points higher than the Lib Dems. It is unlikely that the vote will mirror these polls but if they can take enough swing voters in targeted constituencies then they could severely embarrass all three parties by gaining second or third place.

After getting the highest share of the vote in the recent 2014 European elections, UKIP could be forgiven for being confident going into 2015. However, their core support remains small and their full manifesto lacks real credibility.

Moreover, the ugly spectre of racist and homophobic councillors and candidates refuses to go away, giving the impression that other UKIP members privately hold such views. Many people hear the name UKIP and either roll their eyes or shudder.

As long as credibility is an issue it will be enough to dissuade disillusioned voters from taking the plunge and voting UKIP at the ballot box. As long as they remain a fringe party, respectability will continue to elude them. A poll or a European election, especially in Britain, is one thing but in a general election most people revert to type.

Nigel Farage knows he needs to improve his party’s image; he has been trying hard to sweep his party of the racists and sexists of obscure middle England. The damage is done, however—people hear of UKIP and they already have an opinion. It is then that small pockets of respectability will be key for Farage. UKIP’s credibility benefitted hugely from the defection of ex-Tory MP Douglas Carswell.

The headline-making campaign in Clacton for the 9th October by-election was a test for a Conservative party that has not delivered on promises such as reducing migration and controlling the cost of living. Carswell, well-known and with the credibility of serving the area as a Conservative MP, made the people more comfortable voting UKIP.

In addition to this remarkable coup, the announcement that Farage himself will be fighting for a seat will revive the intense media attention that UKIP had in the recent European elections. This will be key to UKIP’s success, as the very nature of their vote winning strategy relies on publicity and exposure to voters whom they can then hope to sway.

UKIP won’t be kingmakers after next year’s general election. Their core support is not large enough and too many questions remain about their ability to behave like an established political party and take part in government responsibly.

On the other hand, it would not be unreasonable to think that Douglas Carswell or even Farage himself has a fair chance of gaining a seat in 2015.

There have been a few close calls in safe middle England Tory seats that may have the potential to push Labour or the Liberal Democrats into second or third in some places and thus 2015 could be the year that UKIP makes the leap to legitimacy.

Whatever happens they will still be a thorn in the side of the establishment; what remains to be seen is how big that thorn will be.