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Day: 9 February 2016

The Rhodes Must Fall campaign must grow up

It’s good to see common sense prevail every so often. Every now and again in student life, there is a new populist simpleton fad that everyone can join in with that will “challenge” the establishment and cause a new “cultural revolution” that would put Chairman Mao to shame. The latest was the regressive and childish Rhodes Must Fall campaign, which had decided that because Cecil Rhodes was an imperialist and a racist, he didn’t deserve a statue because it might hurt their feelings or offend somebody.

Luckily however, the adults have intervened. Some have threatened to withdraw funding from Oriel College, upon which the statue was erected, or already have done, taking the college out of their wills. One was angered by the “shame and embarrassment” Oriel College had brought upon itself to even consider the proposals demanded by the regressives, and has written the college out of their will.

Others have expressed their opinions more publicly. Mary Beard has publicly chastised the hypocritical zealots who want to take down the statue to Cecil Rhodes but continue to use his scholarship. The Cambridge professor said they “can’t whitewash Rhodes out of history, but go on using his cash”. Others have been more forceful. The Chancellor of the University, Chris Patten, has told students involved in the campaign that they must be prepared to embrace freedom of thought or “think about being educated elsewhere”.

What the children involved in the campaign don’t seem to realise is that a statue is not the same as a memorial or glorious piece of art. It’s not a “celebration”, it’s a recognition that he has an important role to play in history. Statues are built on commission to commemorate a historical event, or the life of an influential person. He was influential, he deserves one.

If these students actually put a bit of time into learning history, rather than protesting about the legacies of historical characters, they would realize that he played a fundamental role in the way Africa is shaped today. You don’t need to agree with his methods to recognize that. It’s not a memorial where people go to grieve and worship, it’s a statue. It’s there to recognize. That’s why they are called statues and not memorials.

If we start removing statues because we don’t agree with people’s views or methods, then we would have no statues of Churchill. No statues of Nelson Mandela. No statues of Gandhi. Of any kings or queens. Martin Luther King. John Keynes. Woodrow Wilson. Horatio Nelson. The list is endless.

Ntokozo Qwabe, the student who has come up with idea, despite being funded by the Rhodes scholarship, has insisted that “so called ‘British institutions’ were built on the colonial plunders of my resources, and on the labour of my people who were enslaved”. He is right of course. But so were my people, the white working class, who were exploited by the privileged class in the industrial revolution; who were wage slaves, plundered for their manual labour and land. So were my people, when they were massacred during the harrying of the north during William the Conquer’s conquest of England, which has set up the wealth for the monarchy ever since. Again, the list is endless when it comes to pseudo-historical grievances. However, I don’t sit around crying about it or take offence in some sort of confused historical victimhood, and campaign to remove the statue of Queen Victoria because of the negative impact of the industrial revolution on the lives of the white working class during that era (and now). This is because I now study at a University built under her reign and as a result of the industrialisation process—the real victims have long since died, the same as Mr Qwabe’s.

Mr Qwabe’s little cry for attention has in fact ensured his un-employability as a law student. If you cannot cope with a statue, then you have no place at a University. You have no chance with reading history, or studying biology or dealing with anything you might feel uncomfortable with in any subject.

In the case of Mr Qwabe and his law degree, if he cannot cope with the fact that some people are nasty in their methods and activities, then he shouldn’t be studying law. You are going to be useless in a court of law. If you want to be a lawyer but are too sensitive to hear about murder, rape, looting, fraud, theft, genocide, etc., which are all aspects of colonialism, then you aren’t going to be any use to anyone. You are going to be useless in representing any person or business in a court of law in case it turns out they have something that might hurt your feelings. You have no use in writing about laws, or writing anything, in case you read something controversial that “triggers” you.

The entitled, childish, irrelevant, sanctimonious campaign, which, if we are to believe that its aims are to remove racists and xenophobes, should instead pluck up the courage to campaign against contemporary racists and xenophobes. Maybe Daesh or Boko Haram, which are far more pressing issues than the sensitivities of pampered Oxford students. If living in this overtly bigoted and racist society and attending these racist and bigoted universities is too difficult and crushing, perhaps they should take up their Chancellor’s advice and be educated elsewhere.

Of course for Mr Qwabe, social justice is not the intention. He posted a message onto Facebook, two days after the Paris attacks, that “I do NOT stand with France. Not while it continues to terrorise and bomb Afrika [sic] & the Middle East for its imperial interests.” For him, it’s simply about getting attention, as shown by the subsequent Sunday Times interview in which he proclaimed that the French flag was a “violent symbol” to be fought against. Chairman Mao is probably ashamed, but that is probably more down to the pathetic nature of these modern day “cultural revolutionist” challengers.

A decentralised NHS would be better for all

In modern, secular Britain, the NHS has become a sort of religion, a common ideal amongst the community. I believe, however, that the god of this new religion resembles Moloch more than Christ—in that it may not deserve its praise and worship. Whilst the idea of the NHS is a fantastic one, healthcare is not a place for ideology, it is a place of practical and personal concern; neither of which are sufficiently addressed through the current system. This may seem like heresy, but as Britain’s population grows, and its people continue to live longer, the structural issues of the NHS may pose a threat to the health of this country.

The OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) currently regards the NHS as a system in the developed world with the largest efficiency gap. That doesn’t mean the system is bad, just that it could be a lot better. I will argue that a decentralised NHS can address these structural issues whilst maintaining the NHS’ ideals.

I went on BBC’s Question Time to ask a question on this sort of reform, to which Ken Livingstone replied, “We don’t want our country to look like the United States”, which showed a blissful ignorance of the myriad of (efficient) healthcare systems that look neither like the ones available in the UK or the US. I want to make it clear that I do not advocate for the privatisation of the British health system, and despite its inefficiencies, the single-payer system and its free-at-the-point-of-use belief, is an important feature of a developed society. This does not, however, mean to imply that the system is perfect, as there are changes that need to be done.

My experience of the Canadian health system, or Ontario’s more specifically as our system is fairly decentralised, informs some of my ideas for reform. The system I grew up in is also free-at-the-point-of-use and single-payer. However, the funding and regulation is not as federalised as in the UK. Also, private, employer-provided insurance is more common, which allows for increased healthcare spending without trade-offs in other areas, and reduces the state’s burden. The whole of the approach need not be adopted in the UK, as the provincial system in Canada helps regulate this affair, but some important aspects would be wholly beneficial.

The current government has talked a lot about devolution, but I have not come across any detailed proposal of how this would work. The current system does not provide the accountability and choice needed for effective healthcare. It is unaccountable because everything is decided in Westminster, which means that local authorities have to pass issues in their provisions to a government that cannot provide direct relief to that area without affecting other areas as well.

This is an inherent design of the parliamentary system, that by each constituency voting for a representative to vote for what happens to the whole, you are not meant to achieve what is best for everybody, but what is not bad for anybody. When it comes to healthcare however, not bad is not good enough—and the opportunity for each local authority to tailor their healthcare to their constituency is a much needed reform.

If each local authority was given the ability to address their own healthcare provisions, setting regulations, overall budgets, and salaries, there would be a greater accountability to the people. No longer could blame be passed onto Westminster, and local authorities would have the mandate to act as fast as possible to alleviate the issue. This would also reduce the number of bad doctors or poor services—as a centralised system does not have the capacity to micro-manage each aspect of the system, and trade-offs are an essential feature. Local authorities, if they were given the freedom to adapt their healthcare provisions to the electorate’s demands, would also see a happier electorate without opportunity cost. Each city would have the ability to tailor their health care system, some might offer insurance schemes, others vouchers, others simply increase spending. Each of these decisions would be allowed if asked, and none would have a negative effect on anyone else. At the same time, if you are unsatisfied with your area’s health care, you would likely be in a smaller minority, but you would have the ability to move to an area where the provisions were more to your liking, making the NHS a more pluralistic system.

Decentralisation would allow for people to choose how their system is run, it would allow them to highlight its faults more efficiently, and it would increase the satisfaction of users. I would also go as far to argue that when you place more control in the hands of those who care about their healthcare the most, it will make people more concerned with their own health, because they are able to be better informed on their healthcare provisions. Not only is this beneficial in the short run, but it also solves long-term healthcare issues. Decentralised healthcare would allow budgets and systems to adapt better to change in populations, or change in healthcare needs. It would allow areas with higher cancer rates to target cancer better, or areas with higher instances of mental illness to redirect funding better. This adaptability would allow for reduced waiting lists and greater effectiveness of care, as the funding would be targeted specifically to what an area needs.

The final main problem that decentralisation solves is the issue of opportunity cost. Currently, increasing healthcare funding would mean that the government would have to reduce funding in other areas such as education or security. Regulation functions the same way, and there is a trade-off between the demands of the nearly 65 million Britons. When you allow people the choice in how their system should work on a more decentralised level, these trade offs shrink. If Manchester believes it should spend more on healthcare, and London believes that they should reduce spending and introduce vouchers, both will be able to, and neither will be worse off. This would allow each city to do what is best for themselves, without imposing anything on any other area.

While I do not believe that my proposal is going to solve all the issues the NHS faces, I think it will go a long way in reducing the possibility for strikes, and in increasing satisfaction. No healthcare system will be perfect, but I hope I have shown the ways in which the current system can be made better.

The Garratt

Photo: The Mancunion

This relaxed pub with its friendly staff welcomed us in from the blustering rain and eased us nicely into a leisurely lunch. Traditional pub décor met the cool; there were no scary ’70s carpets in sight, and pretty art deco light fixtures set up around the bar.

The cocktails were a fantastic value with its offer of two drinks for £6, with a wide selection to choose from. I chose The Zombie from the extensive list—a heady combination of rum and pineapple juice which, for a Thursday afternoon, certainly packed a serious punch! It wasn’t the tastiest cocktail I have ever had, but if you are after getting slightly boozy after one drink, it could very well be for you.

The lamb burger was properly cooked—pink in the middle and charred on the outside, though arguably slightly dry due to the scorched exterior. However, the deliciously creamy tzatziki more than made up for this. The generous helping of fat and crispy chips were slightly under-seasoned, but it was nothing that a shake of salt couldn’t fix.

As fellow foodies, naturally we dipped into each other’s plates and sipped on our concoction of cocktails. Agreed that the Zombie may very well leave you feeling a little zombified with its intense alcoholic punch, the Purple Rain was a deliciously syrupy cherry dew. One glass was definitely enough to satisfy the sweet blue curaçao craving—no need for a Purple Rain storm.

The next plate, the falafel burger, offered a strong veggie alternative. Encased in a classic white bun with a light spread of hummus, the no-frills main certainly made you fala-FULL. A tasty and sweet chickpea patty laid within, accompanied by the 50p upgrade of salty, crunchy curly fries. And at just £3.50, you get what you pay for—a satisfyingly sensational cheap bite, and the perfect excuse to indulge in those dangerously delicious classic curly fries. For good measure, we ordered a cheeky side of onion rings, dunked in barbecue sauce; a guilty but gorgeously greasy extra was in our midst.

The Cajun chicken wrap did not stray far from its name, offering a slightly spiced chicken in a no fuss wrap with a generous serving of mayonnaise. Not the most startling of flavour combinations, and perhaps more reminiscent of an Indian marinade than the smoky paprika base, but it nonetheless ticked the boxes for a tasty lunchtime feed. Unlike the other mains, the wrap arrived in solitude! Not a garnish or side in sight, it was a dish for those loyally devoted to the wrap flex that is so trendy in this day and age. However, such an absence was compensated at a reduced price—an option for the thriftier ones after the simple things in life. I expected nothing less from the student hangout zone with its blindingly yellow picnic tables (you will have no trouble locating The Garratt), Justin Bieber playlist and prices lower than your local Wetherspoons.

It would be dishonest to advertise this as anything more glamorous than pub grub. But only a ten minute walk from university, with very friendly staff and amazing prices from £3.50, it is definitely worth giving it a go. Whether you fancy a tasty and hot lunch on your way into town or if you’re in need of lining the stomach before a night out, The Garratt is a safe bet.

Price: £
Food: 3/5
Drinks: 3/5
Service: 4/5
Atmosphere: 2/5
Value: 5/5

127 Princess St, Manchester M1 7AG

The left-wing case for leaving the EU

I’d like to start this article by saying that I am not an avid campaigner for Brexit. I’ve had many discussions on the benefits of staying in the European Union, and have considered them carefully whilst also trying to increase my research on Britain’s membership to the EU. It was at a debate last week at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), however, that the case for Britain to leave the EU became clearer to me, but also why left-wing people should consider voting to leave, too.

That is not to say I don’t have reservations about leaving the EU. Studies by think tanks such as Open Europe have suggested that by 2030, Brexit could mean that Britain loses 2.2 per cent of its GDP. The Week makes reference to this study, but my reservations are countered. The same study suggests that if Britain leaves the EU but negotiates a free trade deal with Europe, our GDP could rise by 1.6 per cent. This study is characteristic of the EU campaign as a whole, one side trying their best to scaremonger, with the other side saying the opposite.

Steven Woolfe MEP argued last week at the MMU debate that the EU is rather like a Motorola phone—its served its purpose but is now a rather outdated model. It’s worth thinking, therefore, that David Cameron’s renegotiations, which were outlined recently, are most likely not going to be enough to remedy and improve this outdated system. The ‘red card’ process for our parliament to be able to block EU laws would not necessarily give us more sovereignty and control because we would still be reliant on other member states voting against the law and gaining a majority. Small businesses both in Britain and in countries heavily affected by the migrant and refugee crises, struggle with having to comply to EU law and European contracts.

In light of the proposals, Luke Dyks, Manchester Conservative Future Chairman, has said:
“This week we have seen the elected Prime Minister being reduced to grovelling to an unelected figure to get some minor changes to EU law. It is a disgrace to see that a proud sovereign state has been reduced to a region in a union controlled by an unelected monolith. The referendum must be fundamentally about how much say British people have on their own laws. At the moment we have next to none.”

Interestingly, Steven Woolfe made reference to a proposal that was being discussed last week in Brussels. He said that the only reason a decision about VAT on food did not get passed was because of the political ramifications it would have. It concerns me that decisions could be made on domestic issues affecting us that we have no say and influence over.

Daniel Hannan raises an important point about referendums in that they mostly go in favour of the status quo, and that is my worry about the EU vote. This is despite a recent poll in Iceland, Norway and Sweden, which showed that all three nations preferred their deal in terms of trade with European countries than ours as a member of the EU. I would put money on people voting to stay in the EU because it seems like the ‘safe’ option, and Europhiles have a tendency to latch on to the fear of change.
This change, however, is relevant to both the Left and Right. What is most perplexing is that parties such as the SNP and Plaid Cymru are in favour of a more devolved power, yet support membership of the EU. They would remain a member of an institution that they have much less influence in than our parliament.

One of the arguments that John King makes in The New Statesman is that left-wing people should vote to leave the EU because it would save roughly £10 billion a year, and that could be pumped back into public services in Britain, benefitting those who pay taxes in our country.

I would argue, however, that a key reason for the left to vote to leave is the way the EU is bound to corporations, and notably the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). In short, this agreement reduces regulations for big businesses in the EU and United States to trade with each other. As John Hilary, quoted in The Independent argues, it is “An assault on European and US societies by transnational corporations.”

Irrespective of the secrecy around the agreement and the lack of democracy in its process of coming about, this should concern left leaning individuals for a number of reasons. Most notably that it exposes our services, such as the NHS, to be opened up to US companies, which Lee Williams argues that it could risk privatisation of the NHS.

Crucial to this argument is to do with TTIP and banking regulations. Considering the extent to which bankers have been vilified by the left in recent years, I think they would be concerned about how the agreement could loosen banking regulations on US banks that were implemented after the financial crisis. In his article, Lee Williams gives further examples regarding jobs, privacy, and food and environmental safety as further reasons why TTIP goes against left-wing values.

It is clear, therefore, that despite Cameron’s renegotiations we will still have little influence over decisions made in the EU that affect us. Importantly, we can continue to make strong trade links both within and outside Europe, such as in Australia and emerging economies in the Commonwealth. Given the strength of our economy in a global context, in Daniel Hannan’s satiric words, “I think we might just about scrape by”.

Junior doctors to walk out again

An all-out junior doctors’ strike is set to take place on Wednesday 10th February. This strike follows the last one on the 12th of January, where more than 4,000 operations were subjected to cancellation. The 48-hour strike set to start on 26th January was called off after talks between the British Medical Association (BMA) and the government. Antagonisms between the two still exist, however, and the BMA have made clear that the February strikes will go ahead unless “concrete proposals” are discussed.

The Mancunion set out to consider what the strikes meant to Manchester medical students and junior doctors and how they feel towards recent government proposals.

A third year medical student at the University of Manchester told The Mancunion: “It makes me angry that it’s all revolved around politics now. At the end of the day if doctors are overworked then they’ll make mistakes, which could have fatal consequences for patients, and then instead of helping people like we set out to do, we’ll end up harming them. I just hope that when I graduate there will be a safe NHS to work for.”

The issue of patient care and the negative implications of longer working hours on doctors’ capacities to perform to their full potential has been a common matter raised throughout the entire campaign. James Adams, a third year medical student stationed at Wythenshawe Hospital told The Mancunion: “The changes in the junior doctor contracts suggest removing the penalties that stop doctors working unsafe hours, and classing Saturday and evening work as ‘normal hours’.”

Adams explained that whilst the government is stating that there is an 11 percent increase in basic salary (for a junior doctor after six years of study at medical school this is currently £23,636, almost £4,000 less than the national average) , “the cuts to the pay for night-time and weekend work will mean the majority of doctors will be facing pay cuts”.

The major difference between the strike in January and the upcoming collective action in February is that the latter will be a “full walkout,” with no planned emergency backup being put into place.

Max Thoburn, a junior doctor in Manchester and a spokesperson for the campaign, told The Mancunion that the disputes concerning junior doctor contracts have been going on for over three years. When the government refused to concede to junior doctors’ demands, the BMA withdrew from the negotiations, leading Jeremy Hunt to bypass discussions and announce the implementation of the new contracts for August 2016.

Consequently, when a ballot was held by the British Medical Association, 98 per cent of junior doctors voted in favour of industrial action. Thoburn states “it should be made clear at this point that no doctors ever wanted to strike but we felt that to allow such a contract to go through would be so damaging to patients, our profession and the NHS in the future that any disruption caused would be minor in comparison,” says Thoburn.

He further highlights the larger issue of the NHS staffing crisis. According to him, the contracts proposed by Jeremy Hunt will only push more people away from working for the NHS: “Doctors would be the first to welcome increased staffing levels—the staffing crisis in the NHS is well documented—but we simply do not currently have the doctors to cover these extra shifts.

With this in mind, the last thing that we need is a contract that disincentives people from joining the profession and pushes out many who are already qualified, either tempted abroad or into lucrative private sector jobs.”

Thorburn added that it was “with a heavy heart” that he had to take part in strike action next Wednesday “as I have seen that it is the only way to achieve progress, not only to protect my own quality of life, but as part of a much wider battle to protect the NHS for generations to come.”

Adams also expresses disappointment in the government, stating that the continued disputes surrounding junior doctors’ contracts are jeopardizing the future of the NHS: “The NHS is the jewel in our countries crown and Europe’s largest employer. If we lose the staff which hold it together then we also lose it. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to live in a country where healthcare is only for those who can afford it.”

Concluding his statement, Thoburn emphasizes the importance of public morale on the days of the strike and encourages public engagement with the junior doctors’ cause.

If you wanted to hear more about the action occurring on the 10th February there is a campaign group on Facebook under www.facebook.com/MeetTheDrsMcr in order to keep up to date with developments surrounding the strikes.

HOME Pick of the Week: Youth

Following the award-winning success of La Grande Bellezza (The Great Beauty) in the Best Foreign Language Film category at the Academy Awards, the Golden Globes and the BAFTAs, writer-director Paolo Sorrentino brings us his second English language film, Youth. With a cast including Sir Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel, Rachel Weisz and Paul Dano, the film consists of people reflecting on their own lives whilst on holiday in the Swiss Alps.

Michael Caine plays the film’s main character, Frank, an acclaimed, although retired, composer and conductor. The role is seemingly unlike anything Caine has done before. His most recent film was Kingsman: The Secret Service. In Youth, however, Caine performs—and fleshes out—his role perfectly. You can tell that the role was, literally, written for him. Despite his age, he is 82-years-old, and in Youth, Caine proves that he has certainly still got it.

In addition, Harvey Keitel plays Mick, an ageing director who is looking to finish writing the script for the film that will be his ‘testament’. Unfortunately for Keitel, his role seems insignificant in contrast to Caine’s role. Keitel’s character ultimately stands out as a secondary character. The cameo appearance of Paloma Faith playing herself, the footballer Maradona played by a lookalike, and a levitating monk—all manage to add several secondary, one-dimensional elements to the film.

Rachel Weisz and Paul Dano are secondary characters only on paper, playing Frank’s daughter and assistant Leda, and actor Jimmy Tree respectively. To many, these characters will prove to be the highlights of the film. It is fantastic to see each of their interactions with Michael Caine’s character, as well as their own reflections on life. Rachel Weisz’s character is particularly fascinating. We watch her go from divorcing her husband, getting angry with her father, and finally forming a relationship with mountain climber Luca, played by Robert Seethaler. Luca Bigazzi, as the film’s cinematographer, is also worth noting. He does a fantastic job of “accepting the beauty of the Swiss Alps”, as he has put it.

Ultimately, Youth is a film which is based on ideas bigger than the Swiss Alps themselves, and the film’s characters are merely used as a way of expressing—and relating—these ideas to us as members of the audience. The film does this well, But by adding Harvey Keitel’s obviously secondary character, cameo appearances, and an attempt at comedy, and there is a lot to wade through to get to what Youth is about. And to be honest, because of these additions, I am still not quite sure.

3/5

End of sanctions will have little effect on Iranian Higher Education

On Saturday 30th of January, US Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, formally announced “Implementation Day”; the lifting of economic sanctions on Iran after the UN confirmed that the country was keeping to the nuclear accord made in July 2015. This heralds a fundamental shift, not only in Iran’s economy, but its society as a whole. The lifting of the sanction will unfreeze billions of dollars of Iranian assets and allow businesses in the West to trade with Tehran.

Deals are already underway with companies such as Total, Boeing and Peugeot, to name a few. Most importantly, however, Iran will again be able to sell its oil on the international market, and plans to ship 600,000 barrels to Europe every day. The effects of implementation are already visible; money changers in Iran were on the streets flogging US dollars on Sunday, and McDonald’s is taking applications for opening an Iranian branch (no date has been set though, unfortunately).

Amongst all of these fundamental changes in Iranian society, however, there is one aspect that will remain mainly untouched. According to an article published on The Times Higher Education website, we should “not expect a sea change in regional higher education relations as a result of the ending of sanctions.” In terms of education there is little for other Gulf States to offer Iran, as the quality of education is fairly low and many Middle Eastern countries remain hostile to Iranians. Most students are more interested in studying in Europe, Australia, Canada or the US, but struggle to get visas or cover the cost, especially since the value of the Iranian rial remains so low. The conclusion: although Iranian money may be flowing into Western markets, the same influx of Iranian students into Western universities is set to take a lot longer.

In comparison to the rest of the Middle East, Iran’s education system is already in very good shape, boasting one of the most highly educated middle classes in the region. According to recent statistics, there are currently 4.5 million students in Iran, 60% of whom are women. In 2013, 58% of Iranian 18-24 year olds were in higher education, while recent figures show that only 30% of British students are accepted into university. Education is very competitive, with Iranian parents spending 2.1 billion per annum on their children.

For many Iranian students, the costs of international study might well outweigh the benefits, considering the quality of education at home. However, a study by the British Council suggests that postgraduate students may be the most likely to consider studying abroad, because the demand for postgraduate positions in Iran so massively outweighs the places available. According to the study, the US will be the top destination for Iranian postgraduates by 2024, with 11,900 arriving every year. What effect this exodus of Iran’s most highly educated citizens will have on the country will remain to be seen.

My Bookshelf

In Tom Sharp’s Porterhouse Blue, the Dean of the trenchantly elitist Porterhouse College, Cambridge, is ranting against progressive reforms—one of which is a condom dispenser—in the library of his friend and old alumnus, Sir Cathcart D’Eath, when his host offers him a drink. D’Eath’s library turned out to be a fancy facade for his drink selection; he opens some volumes of Walter Scott’s novels for a scotch and, for the Dean’s pink gin, reaches across to his copy of Zola’s Nana. These two comical snobs epitomise more prejudices than a room full of Cecil Rhodes memorabilia, and the hollow, boozy bookcase forms the perfect backdrop to their reactionary views. Sharp’s setting showed how, for better or for worse, our bookcases were a trophy cabinet displaying our individual education and taste. Everything we were supposed to have studied, quoted, memorised, savaged, loathed or re-read was piled high or arranged neatly as a type of evidence of our student status. When unpacking his voluminous personal library from storage boxes, Walter Benjamin wrote how the original form of his collection was just three rows of books that—as a student—he regularly quoted from and used. Glancing across my own two cheap three-tiered plastic shelves, I can spot The Guardian’s Guide to Careers, scraps of draft essays, old college rulebooks and an annotated WJEC revision booklet resting unread on top of the crops of mandatory reading. The printed stuff of school days, the detritus of university life, job hunting literature and canonical books studied on my course all give some portrait of my education background.

Although these shelves are a record of my school years, perhaps my personality, I’ve taken no care to order the books sensibly and so I’m left with a unruly mess of classics and random buys. On each of the bottom shelves there is the unused flotsam of a tiny study: a group of empty picture frames, blank CD’s, a metal stein full of paperclips, brown “do not bend” envelopes containing something like Grade I Clarinet certificates and a scatty hoard of postcard reproductions of paintings in orange Nike shoe boxes.

Sitting tightly packed above all this are the normal shelves, two-books thick; themselves a jumble of pocket dictionaries, frayed secondhand novels, the odd imposing Longman Annotated English Poets edition, and overpriced museum guides. However, a little chaos is preferable to a neat, alphabetised library. The obvious benefit of random organisation is the comedy of contrasts that arises when widely different authors inhabit neighbouring spaces. Over time, I’ve placed Goethe’s Italian Journey next to I, Partridge: We need to talk about Alan; Giorgio Vasari’s Lives of the Artists huddles next to Woody Allen’s Collected Prose. One is an anthology of fairly short and rapt biographies of the classic Renaissance painters, sculptors and architects, whereas one of Allen’s short stories is about an academic biographer who publishes his major analysis of a famed playwright solely based on his extant laundry bills.

A recent oddball addition—courtesy of a coursework essay on alchemy in the Renaissance—provoked my first real thoughts about idea of an aura surrounding personal book stacks. Some scholars I was relying on for reprints of obscure images of alchemy, that rogue science of creating gold from base metals, often dropped hints to their genuine belief that finding the formula for the philosopher’s stone allowed access to the mysteries of the universe, centuries after the scientific revolution tried to cleanse the subject of its mysticism. For a month or so, my careless attitude towards shelving meant that they formed a tower of fascinating but crackpot texts on the top shelf. For that brief time, my messy cargo of required reading was shadowed by books full of secrets written by cryptic authors, books that seemed to need an old dusty library or the pedantic filing of a serious adept. The other day I returned the book of arcane engravings back to the library. It didn’t suit my shaky plastic shelves.

Who needs love when have the hills?

For all you lonesome souls currently living life as an independent singleton, anxious to opt out of a day reserved for fortunate romantics, follow in my footsteps and take the fifty minute train to Edale!

Last year my friends and I decided to escape the relentless reminders that Valentine’s Day is not for everyone and took to the Peak District. It’s easy to forget that our busy city is in fact situated in the dark depths of one of the country’s most popular walking destinations but it is, and it is oh so accessible. Trains run every other hour from Piccadilly so there’s no need to pre-book a ticket; grab one at the station (a return is little over a tenner).

Take the scenic choo-choo to Edale or Hope and you will find yourself confusingly plonked in another world, far from the perils of self-soothing and Netflix for one. The Peaks scream of a serenity and beauty above and beyond anything that another drab date night could possibly bring to the table. There are many recommended oxygenating routes all over the net (try out Walking Britain, or some of the links below for inspo) and Edale has a bunch of quaint, cosy pubs (‘The Rambler Inn’ is a real treat) to reward an afternoon of gallivanting.

I realise this is not for everyone; my friends mother was woundingly baffled by last year’s adventurous expedition, and would rather she was “spending the evening with a good-looking boy” (direct quote) but pay no attention to such conformists, there is enough love and endorphins in a countryside gamble as in any overrated relationship type thing! Nor is money a valid excuse; you could get a Dominoes or two bottles of wine or half a Topshop t-shirt for the same price.

If particularly inspired by my wholesome plea, take it a step further and stay in one of the many B&B’s the area boasts. I disclose the following with trepidation and am appealing to the intrepid Fallowfield community, but there are also a number of campsites shockingly still open for bookings.

This might, however, be taking such optimism a cheeky step too far; we in Manchester are destined for a glorious, never-ending near future of heavy rain and temperatures dropping to 3 degrees.

A few have inevitably (and, admittedly, tragically; RIP friendship) dropped off the single bandwagon, but those of us exhaustingly left behind are making the bittersweet return to the hills 2K16,and we hope to see you there.

Long live solitude.

P.S. The peaks are currently capped with snow, so hurry while the offer lasts.

 

Kinder Scout, approx. 5 hours

Grindsbrook & Edale Head approx 2.5 hours

Darknet drug markets are making drug-taking safer

The ‘deep web’ is a term used to describe parts of the internet that cannot be found using regular search engines. It has become the tool of anarcho-capitalists to fight the current onslaught on internet privacy by supposedly free and democratic countries; a gateway to material deemed unlawful, ranging from revelations of government activities to child pornography.

Almost synonymous with the ‘deep web,’ or ‘darknet’, are drug markets. Despite the demise of Silk Road and Silk Road 2—both were shut down by the US government in 2013 and 2014 respectively—the amount of markets selling drugs is on the rise. It appears that, in hydra-like fashion, when one market is shut down, more rise.

Every day, thousands are involved in transactions of illegal substances ranging from heroin to cannabis. Carol Cadwalladr, a writer for The Guardian, has described these drug markets as something resembling a parallel universe where eBay has been taken over by drug cartels. This illustrates how easy it is becoming for people to purchase illegal substances off the web.

Running parallel with the rise of these drug markets is the lengthy and largely failing war on drugs. Johann Hari, author of the critically acclaimed “Chasing the Scream”, calculates that the war has lasted almost one hundred years and has resulted in countless deaths—certainly ranging in the hundreds of thousands, if not millions—leading him to provide a convincing argument for looking at alternatives.

The alternatives must be geared towards the legalisation and regulation of drugs, and drug markets provide a positive model of what society could look like if this was done.

Like in any competing market, the most successful drug market is the market that provides the best product and service. This has led to the drugs on these sites being purer than what is found on the streets. Now, the phrase ‘purer drugs’ is likely to spark fear into the anti-drug brigade, but it is unclear whether or not their fears are warranted.

Most drug-related deaths are caused by accidental poisoning. According to government statistics, 79 per cent of male drug misuse deaths were caused by accidental poisoning in 2014. For females, it’s 69 per cent. Accidental poisoning is largely caused by one of four factors: Either the drug wasn’t the drug the user thought they were taking, the drug was laced with something more harmful, the user took too much, or the user combined it with other substances.

Out of the four factors, the first two can be easily prevented by buying from a reputable and reliable source. This is where online drug markets can be brought back in, for they are providing better quality, and more reliable drug service. Increasingly, the most successful vendor is the one that has the most favourable views, which are gained by buyers using their service and testing their products, ensuring that the vendor isn’t passing off one drug for another. The purer the drug, the better the review. The purer a drug is, the less likely it will be laced with something more dangerous, or worse, sold as something not advertised.

Now, imagine a world where drug-taking was legalised, and regulated by government-approved standards. These outlets could be modeled on drug market philosophy in terms of the quality of the drugs leading to safer drug taking. This wouldn’t prevent all drug-related deaths, for there is still a possibility of drug abuse, but it would significantly lower the amount of preventable deaths.

The last two factors I mentioned as causes of accidental, drug-related deaths can be reduced with better education about drug taking, something you see more and more of on the deep web.

Currently, the government is forced to provide very little substantive evidence to teach people about the effects of drugs. Often they are used as scare-tactics to try to prevent people from taking them, but this is becoming less and less effective, and in fact, more dangerous.

People are starting to see through the propaganda spouted out by the government when it comes to drug-taking. Take a recent anti-marijuana campaign featuring a ‘stoner sloth’ designed to curb use as an example of the ridiculous lengths governments go to in their crusade on drugs. It only takes one positive experience of taking a particular substance to make people disbelieve any information that was previously given that tried to say that nothing positive can come from drug-taking. This invariably leads people to self-educate themselves about drugs, experimenting with different substances whether legal or illegal and in different quantities. You can now see the dangerous nature of the current anti-drug campaign on people’s drug taking.

Drug markets are providing a better alternative for our current situation. More and more frequently, vendors are listing their drugs with instructions about how much to take and what effects can be expected. In an article for The Guardian, Jamie Bartlett observed one browsing customer ask, “Do you think I could just buy a tiny amount of marijuana?” to which the vendor responded: “Hi there! Thanks for the mail. My advice is that starting small is the smart thing to do, so no problem if you want to start with 1 gram. I would too if I were you.” Better information than the stoner sloth, that’s for sure. With the right education and information, people are able to make informed decisions. Of course, there will still be accidental deaths, but the number will reduce significantly enough to warrant decriminalisation.

Again, we can imagine a world where drugs are decriminalised and drug education is reliable because people trust the government to not give them propaganda due to ulterior motives. This would lower the amount of deaths caused by taking too much of a substance or mixing with other substances because, without an ulterior motive, the correct information will be given out about how much people ought to take and what to not combine it with.

Drug markets are of course not all positive, for they still sell products I wouldn’t like to see decriminalised. For example, I don’t believe cocaine or crystal meth should ever be legal. However, these markets provide a vision of what could be if we were to end the war on drugs. It surely is time to stop seeing these drug markets as an undesirable consequence of an anarcho-capitalist society and more as a guideline towards a safer society.

Disclaimer: Alister Pearson has never taken drugs in his life, nor used drug markets. He once thought he smelt some marijuana at a festival he went to, and admits he didn’t report it to the police, but that is all.

Valentine’s gift guide on a budget

Valentine’s Day can be quite tricky when it comes to deciding on presents for your significant other. With it being so soon after Christmas, it can be hard to think of an original and unique gift idea, and finding the funds for said gift can also be problematic. So here’s some inspiration and potential gift ideas to surprise your loved one, without breaking the bank.

Gifts for Her

Candles are always a nice present to receive. With Christmas now being over, it’s time to banish the cinnamon and peppermint scents until next year and replace them with something fresh. There are of course Yankee candles, however others such as Urban Outfitters, Anthropology and even supermarkets like Marks & Spencer have their own range of uniqu, and intricately decorated candles starting from £5.

The most on-trend gift idea, this year, is an adult colouring book. These can be so calming and brilliant for relieving any of that niggling post-exam stress! With an abundance of themes such as enchanted forests, mandalas, travel landmarks and even Harry Potter, these can be found at most major book retailers and start from only £3.

Photo: The Works

Finally, everyone needs a place to keep their jewellery, so trinket or ring storage can also make a lovely gift. Urban Outfitters, in particular, have some beautiful and individual designs, ranging from ceramic trinket bowls to copper tortoise jewellery storage, which are generally under £12.

Gifts for Him

For men, washing and bathing gift sets are always a good option. Boots stock a huge range of branded gift sets, from Ted Baker to Jack Wills which can include body washes, body sprays and anti-perspirants for very reasonable prices. It can also be worth browsing the “male grooming” section of department stores such as Debenhams and House of Fraser whose post-Christmas sales are still ongoing.

A slightly more original gift idea is a ‘grow-your-own’ kit. Believe it or not, there are so many things you can grow even in student accommodation: bonsai trees, chilli peppers, green tea, coffee plants. Available from places such as notonthehighstreet.com, prezzybox and also Urban Outfitters, they usually sell for around £10.

Photo: amazon.co.uk

For a super budget-friendly and more creative option, you could make your own hamper including all of his favourite sweets, snacks and potentially alcohol. Decorate an old shoe box with tissue or wrapping paper and fill it with treats. Many low budget shops, such as Poundland, stock quality brands, including Cadburys and Thorntons, for a fraction of the supermarket price; allowing you to fill your hamper for less!

DIY

Ultimately, the best way to stay low-budget is to pick a DIY option. Whether it’s making an old-school mix CD or framing a photo of you two together, gifting something handmade can often mean so much more (and cost much less!).

Another creative idea is making tokens for your partner. Include tokens for things which you maybe begrudge slightly but they love, e.g. token for a back massage or token to watch Mean Girls (again). Using coloured paper and metallic pens could make them look even more special.

Glass mason jars are a DIY-ers heaven. Try filling one with hot chocolate powder and mini marshmallows, for a DIY movie treat. You could also include their favourite DVDs or an Alphabet mug from Next or Debenhams.

Photo: sanakeefer@Flickr

For Friends 

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to specifically be for couples, you could also choose to share the love with your friends, your mum, your flatmates or anyone else you just want to spoil. A ‘secret cupid’ could also be a great way of giving the gift of love to single friends this Valentine’s day.

Personalised Nutella jars, available from Selfridges, are an ideal present for anyone with a love for hazelnuts (or who just wants to make it clear that that is their jar of Nutella, nobody else’s). However, if you’re more of a savoury spread fan then Marmite are also offering a personalisation service. Although they warn that requests for cringeworthy pet names such as “Bae” and “babycakes” will be duly denied.

Photo: Marmite Facebook

For artsy or creative friends, Urban Outfitters provide a brilliant variety of innovative books, including “Cakeology”, “Tequila Mockingbird” and “642 Tiny Things to Draw”: This February, spend less time sniffling over a lack of Valentine’s cards and more time on artsy activities.

SS16 Beauty Forecast

The SS16 catwalk saw a host of new beauty trends cast into the spotlight. Whilst some of them are regular features for this time of year, others are a little more daring and new. Whether you’re after a makeup update or just interested in discovering what’s hot; here are next season’s beauty trends.

Blue Eye Shadow & Liner

Who’d have thought this would ever make a comeback? After dabbling with blue eye shadow back in the early 00’s, with a few hideous pictures reminding me why it’s never a good idea, I swore I’d never wear blue on my eyes again. However, making an appearance on the runway from shows such as Missoni, Marc Jacobs, Mary Katrantzou, and Chanel, it has suddenly become acceptable again. Whilst I don’t think I’ll go all guns blazing like my 7 year old self did with this trend, a subtle hint of blue liner might be rather refreshing to my usual black flick.

Oversized, Clumpy Lashes

Think oversized, wacky, clumpy, and just plain bizarre, with this trend that was featured on catwalks such as Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Sibling, and Jeremy Scott. Whilst I can’t see it being one to catch on for everyday wear, it wouldn’t look out of place on a fancy dress night out.

Matte Red Lip

Ah, everyone’s favourite summer colour is making a return this year, and it appeared on the lips of countless models in shows like Topshop Unique, Jenny Packham, Jason Wu, Oscar De La Renta, and Celine. This trend looks great on everyone, is super easy to rock, and will turn heads for all the right reasons (sorry clumpy lashes, I’m just not sold).

Strobing

Alongside the impressive amount of blue featured, natural beauty was also favoured in shows such as Gucci, Alexander McQueen, Versace, Isabel Marant, Balmain, and Stella McCartney. Very light makeup with a heavy emphasis on glowing skin was all the rage, with the new trend ‘strobing’ taking centre stage. Strobing involves some serious highlighting on areas such as the cheekbones, brow bone, Cupid’s bow, and down the centre of your nose. However, don’t go too heavy-handed; you don’t want to look like you’ve just got in from a good workout or a crazy night out.

Whilst some of these trends are definitely more wearable than others, there’s something for everyone to incorporate into their daily routines from the runways this year.

Valentine’s Day Guide for inexperienced romantics

With Valentine’s Day looming, it’s becoming clear that the cliché approaches aren’t as acceptable as they used to be. Expectations for unique surprises and an improvement on last year’s efforts is enough to make any inexperienced romantic gulp in fear. And so, we have created this uncomplicated guide to help you figure out how to treat your lucky lover this Valentine’s Day.

Just as the go-to for a date is dinner and a movie; the go-to for Valentine’s Day tends to be flowers and chocolates. But don’t think your inexperience is an excuse to stick to the basics. The first rule of thumb is to consider your partner’s interests and personality. If they like being outside, why not take a train to the Peak District? If they like animals, then why not a trip to the zoo? Something personal will always hit the right spot. From notebooks to jewellery, there’s always something that you can leave your mark on.

New experiences are key to discovering new delights, so why not experience something new together? Try a dance class or food tasting. Voucher sites like Groupon or Wowcher mean that you can find a great package deal, without breaking the bank. Look early, though, because if you fail to prepare, then prepare to fail. Even if you don’t go to an activity, you can plan one. From painting together to preparing a delicious feast, by taking into consideration what your partner enjoys, your Valentine’s Day will undoubtedly be a success.

If it’s your first Valentine Day, you should consider a price limit for your plans. Although this doesn’t sound like the most romantic thing in the world, unequal effort from your partner could result in animosity in the relationship. So make sure you both have an understanding that it’s not just one person who makes Valentine’s Day special, and you’ll both have a wonderful time.

The key to success is to listen to your partner and take on board what they like. If they like lovey-dovey things, then go down that route. If they’re more into quirky ventures, then orientate your plans around that. This guide is just the beginning to your Valentine’s potential, so use your imagination and remember it’s not all about the clichés. Try something different and swoop your lover off their feet (perhaps even literally).

Happy Valentine’s Day.

Demystifying skincare: The cleansing balm

Various problematic episodes with my exceptionally dry skin means I have had to adapt my skincare regime as my face becomes gradually less tolerant to the stuff I put on it. If you too are unfortunate enough to have itchy eczema around your eyes, you will understand the plight of finding makeup remover and cleansing products that don’t make you grit your teeth as your skin screams in protest.

A bit of trawling through beauty blogs and a considerable amount of trial and error led me to a product that works: The indisputable holy grail of anyone’s bathroom cabine, the cleansing balm. I will recommend cleansing balms to anyone who will listen, or indeed to anyone who whips out a satanic, alcohol-ridden makeup wipe in my vicinity.

Cleansing balms may seem a bit alien at first.  It feels so thick, so oily… Is it a moisturiser? Will this wash off properly? In response, cleansing balms cleanse you skin very effectively, all the while being nourishing instead of stripping. Apply a cleansing balm onto dry skin and it will dissolve all the makeup and the remains of the day’s residue. Next step: Flannel. Buy them in bulk from your nearest Primark or budget-friendly equivalent so you’ve got enough for a week of face washing (no one wants a dirty flannel) and run one under hand-hot water before applying it to your oily face. First of all, you’ll feel like you’re in a spa (or on a long haul flight when they give you those teeny tiny hot towels) and moreover, a few gentle swipes will get rid of that facial muck in a trice.

Not totally convinced? If you, unlike me, have no qualms about an insufficiency of moisture or are of the oilier persuasion, this is not a satisfactory excuse to steer clear of oily skincare. Oily skin plus oily product may seem like the recipe for a spotty explosion, but fresher products like wipes or cleansers that produce a lather are not the magic ingredient for oily skin types (contrary to the opinions of many brands in the industry).

The reason for this is quite logical when you give it some thought. In basic, humanities student language, foaming cleansers inevitably include surfactant, alkaline chemicals in their ingredients list. These chemicals, such as Sodium lauryl sulphate are pretty corrosive (you’ll also find them present in household detergents and engine degreasers) and, at the cost of making your skin feel clean and grease-free, they strip your skin of its natural oils, which will in turn only encourage more oil to be produced to compensate. All in all, quite counter-productive.

Leave the squeaky-clean lathers to your shower gels and washing-up liquids and try one of these cleansing balms instead:

Craving:

Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm

£38 for 100ml from Space NK

Photo: Space NK

Saving:

No7 Beautiful Skin Melting Gel Cleanser

£9.50 for 100ml from Boots (only £4.50 if you get one of those handy £5-off vouchers)

Photo: Boots

British science will be hindered by EU exit, says Universities and Science Minister

Speaking at the Campaign for Science and Engineering, the Minister of State for Universities and Science, Jo Johnson, questioned how the UK would continue to prosper outside of the EU, considering this is where half of its collaborations are based.

“No one doubts that Britain could stay a science player outside the EU,” Mr Johnson pointed out. “But the risks to valuable institution partnerships, to flows of bright students, and to a rich source of science funding mean that the leave campaign has serious questions to answer.”

Successfully finding research funding outside of the EU is not unheard of, however, as proven by Norway, Turkey and Israel.

This argument was acknowledged by Mr Johnson in his speech, stating that although “non-EU countries may be part of the European research area…but they don’t get a seat at the table when the ministerial council or the parliament are setting the rules, or deciding the budgets.”

These comments are seemingly against the views of Sajid Javid, current Business Secretary and Mr Johnson’s superior, who recently stated that although EU membership funds were useful for UK science, he doubted that they were of significance in the overall EU dispute.

This has led many to believe that there is a divide in the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills. Mr Javid has refuted claims that there is a disagreement between the pair. His vote in the upcoming referendum, thought to be taking place in either June or September this year, remains unknown.

Mr Johnson reasoned that “free movement of people makes it easier for our universities to attract the best talent, and for British students to spread their wings across the Continent, as I was able to do as a young student at institutions in France and Belgium.

It’s time to dress to impress

What do most girls love more than anything? Diamonds? Chocolate? Dresses? Quite possibly it’s all three, but dresses are the highlight of the moment.

Every girly girl has a number of statement dresses in her collection, whether that’s a sexy LBD or a cute, flowy, floral piece. As a lover of dresses myself, there is always one time of the year I am most excited for (apart from Christmas, of course!)… AWARD SEASON.

As soon as the celebrities roll out onto the infamous red carpet, you know you’re going to be blown away by the dazzling and enchanting dresses they’ve picked for the occasion. Last year, I remember the beautiful blues of the Ellie Saab collection and the more unusual mustard colour that I soon found out was a favourite colour of mine (or that might have just been because it looked amazing on Gigi Hadid).

Alicia Vikander

This year was no expection. One lady who has stood out in the wardrobe department has to be Alicia Vikander. Everytime she goes on stage to collect her award, dress lovers everywhere are going crazy for her couture. Her most recent sequined Louis Vuitton dress was one that really stood out to me; the mixture of beautiful earth tones makes for an almost magical feel that I think could not have suited her more.

Try this style with this Rare dress (£20) or find the original image here; http://www.vogue.co.uk/spy/celebrity-photos/2016/01/31/sag-awards-2016-red-carpet

Photo: Rare

Brie Larson

Another celebrity whose dress sense is to die for is Brie Larson. Like the trends of last year, she wore a blue Versace gown. Although it has brought about some controversy, I personally think she could not have chosen a better gown. The shaping was unusual but classic, and the colour was different to the popular pinks and greens of the season; a winning combination. As icy blues and silvers dominated the red carpet last year, it’s nice to see someone stick to what they know. Sairose Rohan and Jennifer Aniston also stuck with icy blue colours.

If you like this style, we recommend this Asos beauty (£45). See the original dress here; http://www.vogue.co.uk/spy/celebrity-photos/2016/01/31/sag-awards-2016-red-carpet

Photo: Asos

Rachel McAdams

As far as dresses go, red has to be one of my favourite colours. It’s bold, sexy, and makes a statement—a bit like Rachel McAdams herself. Her beautiful maroon-coloured dress brought some sexiness to the red carpet, and no one could have done it better. I love the fact that it’s extravagant but subtle at the same time, and I honestly believe Noah would approve.

Steal her style with this budget friendly Missguided number (£30). Alternatively, you can window-shop the fabulous gown here; http://www.vogue.co.uk/spy/celebrity-photos/2016/01/18/critics-choice-awards-2016

Photo: Missguided

This year, I feel like a lot more celebrities are daring to be bold. With the rise of brighter and pastel (icy) colours, I think this has been the best year yet. Good luck, 2017.

However, it wasn’t just the ladies making a statement and turning heads. The men have been on top form this year. Leonardo DiCaprio, John Hamm, and Kit Harrington have all stood out in their classic black tuxedos; a look that will never go out of style.

NHS Foundation Trust “requires improvement”

A quality report has rated the Five Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (FBPFT) in the North West of England as ‘requires improvement.’ The FBPFT provides mental health and learning disability services across Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Cheshire.

The Foundation Trusts are different to normal NHS trusts as they are accountable to local people, who can become governors and members. They also have the freedom to decide locally, how they meet their obligations. The NHS states that they are still accountable to parliament, despite these freedoms, in order to maintain national standards.

The report, carried out by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), identified that the most pressing issue was with its governance system, which had impacted on a lack of formal strategy and framework for delivering care in the North West.

A lack of consistency of care across the services was also identified by the CQC. It appeared that staff were not responding to incidents and complaints, meaning it was likely that the problem would reoccur.

The report noted that the trust had made efforts to solve this culture of apathy throughout the services. However, these attempts were still yet to create a new ethos that was truly embedded throughout the services.

Despite these shortcomings, Dr. Paul Lelliott, the Deputy Chief Inspector of Hospitals (and CQC lead for mental health) said:

‘The trust was doing some things very well. The trust had a high level of incident reporting, demonstrating transparency… Overall we rated nine out of ten of the core services as good and the forensic service rated as requires improvement.’

The report acknowledged the value of the trusts work with the community to promote “positive attitudes towards people living with mental health needs”. Dr Lelliott contended that the commitment of the trust to reducing the stigma of mental health would have a significant impact on people in the North West having to deal with mental issues, from students to the elderly.

The commitment and passion of many of the staff to provide good care was also recognised by the CQC, particularly the numerous ways in which some of the staff encouraged the patient and carers to be involved in the organisation and running of the trust.

The FBPFT responded to the report saying that ‘action plans’ were in place to tackle the inadequacies identified by the CQC.

Record reappraisal: J Dilla – Donuts

Released February 2006 via Stones Throw Records

Forgive the present writer for mentioning David Bowie’s death yet again—coming to terms with it hasn’t been easy—but the circumstances surrounding his poignant farewell (accomplished on his final album Blackstar) are particularly noteworthy. Bowie knew he might not live to record another album. That same profound sense of mortality imbues Donuts, the ninth album by James Dewitt Yancey, otherwise known as J Dilla. Like Bowie, Yancey was battling a grave illness during production: he was terminally ill with the blood disease TTP, and lupus. (Incidentally, both men released their last albums on their birthdays.)

And yet, Donuts is triumphant and incredibly life-affirming; both Yancey’s masterpiece and an immensely nostalgic love letter to music. It distils an overlooked era in the history of African-American music into just thirty-one tracks: that fairly underwritten period in the ’70s that birthed the Philadelphia Sound, vocal groups like the Moments and the Dramatics, and the iconic TV show Soul Train. Quite a lofty claim, but it isn’t without justification. ‘Stop’ beautifully mangles the wistful strings of an old Dionne Warwick tune into something strange and heartfelt. The unusual, seesawing time signature on ‘Bye.’ contorts the Isley Brothers’ wafting R&B. ‘Airworks’ gets its groove from strutting funk courtesy of Stax session guitarist L.V. Johnson. The shrieking siren on ‘Gobstopper’ (an unmistakable Dilla staple that resurfaces throughout the record) opens to soul-indebted brass fanfare.

All these styles and sounds short-circuit as the cut-and-splice antics of hip-hop take over. However, it isn’t self-indulgent retro-fetishism. It’s fresh, inspired and experimental, like the warped, garbled stride of ‘The Factory’. Yancey’s choice of source material wasn’t always funky or even fashionable. ‘Anti-American Graffiti’ features an unlikely sample from obscure Australian pop rock outfit Tin Tin, whose debut was produced by sometime Bee Gee Maurice Gibb.

Donuts’ celebratory finish comes in the form of ‘Welcome to the Show’—both jubilant and desperately sad—before it cuts off into the album’s first track: a glorious, self-referential infinity loop of a closer. As many posthumous compilations have shown, Yancey was quite the nonpareil genius. Who else would sample the opening three seconds of Sly & the Family Stone’s ‘(You Caught Me) Smilin’ for use as an atmospheric, skeletal beat, or crib from Pharaoh Sander’s ‘Upper Egypt & Lower Egypt’, changing its pitch and burying it beneath handclaps and vinyl crackle? A nonpareil genius, that’s who.

Live: Massive Attack

O2 Apollo

28th January 2016

7.5/10

Following a 5 year break since the release of new material, Bristolian legends Massive Attack embark on their first fully fledged UK tour in as many years. Supported by the release of their new EP Ritual Spirit, the duo sought to bring a heavily politicised performance with a setlist split between old classics and relatively obscure, newer work.

Opening with ‘Battle Box’, a solo single from Robert Del Naja released in 2012, the lights descended to the darkened, bass-heavy tension of the track as it ebbed and flowed with the vocals of Martina Topley-Bird. The impressively expansive visual display behind the 7-strong live band flickered up names of pharmaceutical medicines backed with the bulk prices per pill. The band followed up with the Heligoland B-side ‘United Snakes’, with the screens this time strobing between the flags of countries and the logos of large multi-national corporations such as McDonalds and Goldman Sachs reimagined in red, black and white. Both performances leave a poignant message, even if it’s a little heavy-handed and Banksy-esque.

A highlight of the night included the hazed-out and hair-raising performance of Mezzanine’s ‘Risingson’, which was intimate and intense. Doing away with the cumbersome didactic themes of the night, the track flowed with a certain weightlessness to the positive response of the crowd. The band also brought out veritable legend Horace Andy who performed ‘Angel’ and ‘Girl I Love You’, both of which were clear crowd-pleasers with Andy’s dread-wise vocal delivery held an emotional note through the classic Bristolian bass weight.

A wholly unavoidable and staple point of the night, however, was the heavy inclusion of the current Syrian refugee crisis. The band offered up some truly horrifying statistics presented on the screens that highlighted the glaring failures of the British government to accept refugees—alongside more widespread terrors such as Sweden’s plan to evict 80,000 refugees. The subject matter was highly topical and unequivocally vital, but it caused a dissonant atmosphere throughout the show; almost questioning the audience as to how they could really be sitting there and enjoying the act when they are being shown photographic evidence of children drowning.

This had cut sharply throughout the staple song ‘Inertia Creeps’ where random headlines from the previous few days are flashed out above the band, which raised the topic of how issues with true gravity are diluted in a sea of tabloid wankery. However, the point became somewhat cheapened when headlines such as “Asylum seekers made to wear coloured wristbands in Cardiff” were mixed with “Porn shown at a funeral”.

It would be a cheap shot to say that missing certain songs from the set list—such as ‘Unfinished Sympathy’ is a crime. But for a band who have comfortably released a “Best Of” record ten years ago, there’s simply not enough room to include every “essential” song.

The recurring theme of the night seemed to be a top-notch musicality with a side of slightly discordant, heavy-handed activism. Perhaps not the carefree evening that many of the attendees may have hoped for, but thoroughly enjoyable nonetheless.

TV Binge: Making a Murderer

Since Making a Murderer’s December release, online debates, petitions, and verdicts have bombarded the web, making it easy to spoil the story for the uninitiated viewer and even harder to review it without mentioning key events. Nevertheless, the basic facts are these: Wisconsin man Steven Avery, released from prison after serving 18 years for a sexual assault he didn’t commit, is the focus of this 10-part documentary that delves into the unsavoury practices of the US justice system.

All the components of a compelling crime documentary are present. The sweeping shots of a dusty Wisconsin landscape and unnerving soundtrack create an eerie backdrop to the crimes. Binge watching becomes compulsory due to episode ending twists, and attachments to characters are created by clever pacing, which prioritises storytelling over any time constraints. What makes Making a Murderer even more compelling than other recent hits like True Detective or House of Cards, is that these are real people, and real events, and are therefore even harder to forget once we return to our normal lives.

Making a Murderer portrays events organically as they unfold due to the 10 year filming period, without rushing or hand-holding the viewer. As a result, when the twists come, they shock and amaze with maximum impact without feeling forced or exaggerated. The patient opening episodes give viewers the opportunity to judge the characters themselves, whilst never dropping the intrigue and suspense. As the show progresses, it becomes increasingly distressing to watch, but at this point the viewers’ attention is firmly secured through the skilful execution of key events that play out in real time to ramp up the tension.

Whilst Making a Murderer has the intended effect of transforming viewers into armchair detectives, there are issues with essentially trying to present an entire trial from start to finish. The show fails to provide context and interviews for one half of the trial, which effectively causes viewers to forget who the real victims are and places blame where it is unfair to do so. Some manipulation is expected, however, since Making a Murderer is essentially a piece of entertainment and—contradicting the way some fans are discussing the show online—is obviously not going to be used as evidence in the trial.

The experience of watching Making a Murderer is so consuming that at times I had to remind myself that I could walk away with my freedom intact. After sitting through the relentless 10 hours, the inevitable despair about the state of the US justice system was combined with a burning desire to plunge into the depths of the web and join the thousands of internet users in uncovering the truth. Despite being highly disturbing and presenting a questionable representation of the trial, it is this refreshingly emotional reaction, alongside the eye-opening depiction of the US justice system, which makes Making a Murderer a genuinely unique and exciting TV event, and the new benchmark for future crime documentaries.