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Day: 10 February 2016

Is single-payer healthcare the answer for America?

The British often taunt Americans for not having free healthcare. And truthfully, many Americans are ashamed of not being part of the club—we hate being excluded. However, frustration at the US not having a single-payer healthcare system should be reconsidered. Instead, these ill-placed sentiments need to be directed at the unequal distribution of mixed benefits.

The percentage of GDP the United States spend on welfare is greater than in most advanced industrial economies. But the country spends less and taxes less on welfare in real terms because the systems of support that social programs rely on are a combination of government spending, tax-based subsidies, and private social spending.

When people criticize the US healthcare system for falling behind other developed countries’ welfare infrastructure, they are speaking of direct public spending. Take into consideration though that when countries deliver benefits to their people, the government taxes them as well, completely reducing the actual value of benefits. What critics should divert their attention to is net social expenditure. Developed by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), it takes into account direct public spending, tax-based spending, private spending, and the taxes people pay in measuring a country’s social disbursements. Meaning that when Americans do get benefits, they get to keep most of them. In this context, the US ranks fifth in highest social spending, right after Sweden.

Net social expenditure is a better assessment because people are assisted by official means other than direct government aid. Because these means are still regulated by the government, it would fall under the national healthcare system. Though subsidies and tax breaks are not the same thing, economist David Friedman argues that, “they have the same effect on federal budget”, therefore they will be treated as interchangeable. The US government uses methods like tax exemptions for employer contributions to health insurance, and tax reimbursements for child care in order to take care of its people. But as countless news outlets have covered, wealth inequality is a problem in America. The fact that subsidies do the same work as direct spending programs in a country that ranks first in “tax breaks for social purposes” justifies the shift of focus to how private social benefits are presently distributing resources unequally.

Private spending in the United States is like a moderate, partly effective version of David Cameron’s “big society”. The government relies on voluntary employer-provided pensions and requires some employers to pay for sick leave. This covers health insurance, pensions, dependent care, tax exclusions, and other related items. Though it makes up almost 40 per cent of US social spending, coverage is secured for some but not all. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ National Compensation Survey, the higher the average wage at a firm, the more likely they’ll offer health coverage, retirement, and life insurance. What happens then is that private social benefits are accumulating with the middle and upper income bracket. Because even with the existence of in-kind benefits (like Medicaid) that is provided free or at a reduced price, the disadvantaged are unable to reap indirect benefits; since major US tax breaks are usable only to those with enough resources to contribute to charity or take out a large mortgage.

There are more than (an already understated) $905 billion worth of tax breaks allowed under US tax code. Approximately $530 billion of that goes to corporations and tax codes benefitting the middle upper class. Even federal tax credits for higher education, targeted at lower incomes, mostly benefit middle and upper income households. With the exception of the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit, tax benefits disproportionately help those who pay hefty income taxes. Because lower income citizens don’t have large liabilities—they are in effect left out of the system. Though about 96 per cent of Americans benefit from some type of government social program, the quality of that gained by the necessitous is significantly lower than the middle and upper echelons.

The Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, is not a sustainable solution. The penurious are better off under the health reform, with the targeted groups of young, Black, and Hispanic being successfully covered. Unfortunately, numbers suggest that new options may be unappealing or out of reach for the middle class, causing their take up percentages to be lower. It is effectively fighting back inequality, but the results might be temporary. Proponents will cite the lower than expected costs of the program. But the reason that it’s true is because expected enrollments have fallen. So while 9 million Americans gained insurance coverage in 2015, the amount of healthy people (calculated through exchange enrollments) subsidizing the overall risk pool is not enough to keep insurance prices from rising.

Sweeping improvements are difficult to come into fruition, but it does not justify defaulting to a single-payer healthcare system. Bear in mind that additional tax revenue to fund this system would mean putting pressure on the middle class, not just the wealthy. If it were proposed, Americans would vote against it because many already have good coverage through their employers. It is, however, politically feasible to enact equalizing tax breaks that refund, instead of deduct below a certain income. Regulations mandating the private sector to provide a more thorough array of assistance to the population are urgently needed for the lower class, and can be improved on for a more robust middle class. The UK’s success in targeting impecunious households offsets the 14.5 per cent cash benefit of an average British household’s disposable income to the OECD average of 21.9 per cent. Compared to the US, where only 7 per cent of direct public spending goes to income considered programs. Being that there are few US policies that emphasise helping the disadvantaged, increasing social programs can be considered. But the main focus on targeting tax-based subsidies and private social spending should not be lost. It is unquestionable that the United States welfare state needs to be reformed, but there’s no reason for Americans to fall to the international peer pressure of having “free” healthcare.

Long Distance Love

For those in a relationship, February 14th often means at least the chance to gaze at your chosen victim across a pre-booked table in the nearest Pizza Express. However, for those brave few attempting to maintain a relationship across a long distance, Valentine’s Day isn’t always something to look forward to—regardless of the fact if you do have a Valentine. Without your significant other being around, you’re left in a sort of strange no man’s land between your single friends and your friends in relationships. Your single friends will most likely be doing something together—which in unfortunate circumstances—can start with the promise of a nice evening, and quickly deteriorate into a Friends-esque symbolic burning of photos of past love interests. Your friends in relationships will of course be spending the evening with their partners, with no room for a third wheel.

So, you are left with a dilemma. Either pretend that you really despise being in a relationship and buy into the anti-partner propaganda of your single friends for the night, or spend the evening watching Netflix after a pixelated Skype phone call to your boyfriend or girlfriend. Ultimately, what you decide to do is completely your decision. Maybe even if you lived in the same place, you’re not the kind of couple who would make a big deal out of it anyway, and instead, would be sat watching cartoons and throwing popcorn at each other like you would every other night. If you did decide to spend the night in on your own then nobody would blame you for it. If you have decided that you’re going to take Valentine’s Day seriously, then sending each other a parcel in the post and opening them together during your Skype conversation might be a nice thing to do, and it gives you both something to look forward to that you can do together and that relates to Valentine’s Day, too.

Most likely, Valentine’s Day is most difficult for those in long distance relationships because it reminds them of their absent partner and that society expects them to be able to celebrate it together. However, every relationship is unique and, in admitting that you miss them, it makes you more aware of how much your relationship means to you. Go out and have a great time with your friends, or stay in and have a long phone call. Either way, don’t stress about a single day just because of the label!

New study reveals the importance of being in tune with the Earth

A team of researchers, including the University of Manchester’s Andrew Loudon, have released a study detailing the importance of having a sleep/wake cycle that is in tune with the Earth’s rotation.

Most animals have an internal circadian clock that operates cyclically over 24 hours. These are in tune with the rotational speed of the Earth and drive when we sleep, eat, and wake. The research team has found that mice who have abnormal circadian clocks are less likely to survive and reproduce.

After inducing a genetic mutation that caused the clocks of the mice to run on a 20 hour cycle, rather than the conventional 24, the team tracked the survival and reproduction of these mutated mice and compared the figures to those from normal mice with a normal body clock. As the paper outlines, there is “strong selection against short period genotypes”, which was seen as the mutated mice had higher mortality rates.

These findings are relevant for multiple aspects of human life too, as we can often be subject to abnormal light/dark cycles. The study has shown the importance of having a circadian clock that is in tune with the Earth.

The research may also have implications for space travel. Loudon explains that “the rotation speed of Mars may be within the limits of some people’s internal clock, but people with short running clocks, such as extreme morning types, are likely to face serious intractable long-term problems.”

“The body clock has evolved as an essential survival component for life on earth. A correctly ticking body clock is essential for normal survival in the wild, and this has to be in phase with the rotation speed of the earth.”

The study was published in PNAS.

The BBC’s Olympics deal & the changing face of sports broadcasting

On Tuesday, the BBC confirmed that they would continue broadcasting the Olympic Games until 2024. Prior to this, there had been doubt over whether the beeb would continue to show the Games or not, given the Pan-European deal between the IOC and US-based Discovery Communications that had been signed in 2015. Discovery having agreed to sub-license free-to-air rights to the BBC is part of a greater trend of collaboration that has kept major sports on free-to-air TV, despite the financial pressures on terrestrial broadcasters.

The BBC have been the Olympic Broadcasters since 1928, and managed to continue their relationship beyond 2016 by securing an innovative deal with Discovery—the owners of the Eurosport channels. The BBC will sub-license TV rights to Discovery for the 2016 and 2020 Olympics, and then Discovery will sublicense free-to-air rights to the BBC in 2022 and 2024—this partnership was key to maintaining the event on terrestrial TV and was by no means guaranteed. It will be seen as something of a victory for the corporation, since over 50 million people watched at least some of the coverage of the 2012 games, with Director General Tony Hall saying: “I’m delighted that through our new partnership with Discovery, the BBC will continue to carry the torch for great sporting coverage right through to the 2024 Games.”

Collaboration between companies has kept other events on free TV, as those watching the Six Nations this weekend will have noticed. BBC and ITV sharing the rights from 2016 onwards has meant that the whole competition will be on terrestrial TV, which also wasn’t guaranteed. The Ofcom code on sports events does give protection for the Six Nations, but is only a category B event, meaning that only highlights have to be shown free-to-air. Sky Sports were invited to bid for live rights for the first time, but were out-manoeuvred by the joint forces of BBC and ITV, securing terrestrial coverage for the next six years. Not only will it be beneficial to the corporations, but also to the profile of rugby union, with far higher viewing figures on free-to-air than satellite. According to the BBC, the Six Nations ratings peaked at 9.6 million last year, which is far higher than a game would get on Sky Sports, with England’s autumn international against South Africa in 2014 being watched by 736,000.

Non-exclusive contracts for presenters have also been more common than before. Gone are the days of presenters like Des Lynam only being able to work for one broadcaster at a time. Now Gary Lineker and Clare Balding can easily work for terrestrial and pay TV, further levelling the playing field in the competition between free-to-air and satellite.

Satellite TV really became a major force in British sport in 1992, when the 22 clubs of the English First Division broke away from the Football League to form the Premier League, in order for clubs to receive a greater share of TV revenues. Since then, not one top flight game has been broadcast on terrestrial TV, and many a bidding war has been won by Sky. The recent £5 billion TV deal shows how lucrative this has been for the Premier League, and contributed to 2015/16 being the first season where clubs collectively spent over £1 billion.

For some sports, the prospect of large sums of money is enough for them to give most of their events to satellite channels. Cricket is a case in point for this, and the ECB have spent the last decade using a policy of selling exclusive rights for all English cricket to Sky Sports. The ECB successfully lobbied for test matches, including the highly lucrative Ashes Series, to be removed from the list of protected events. This summer will mark 10 years since the first test match was shown live on Sky, marking the end of the era of free-to-air cricket.

The justification for this was the extra money being pumped into the grassroots game, and the improvement in the quality of broadcasting, with no need to cut to the 6 o’clock news towards the end of matches as used to be the case on Channel 4. However, the drop in viewing figures was stark, and must be at least partially responsible for the decline in the England team’s profile among the British public. In 2005 the Ashes had a peak audience of 8.4 million, while the 2015 series only drew in 467,000. Joe Root failed to be nominated for Sports Personality of the Year, despite being man of the series—an accolade that was enough to win Freddie Flintoff the prize in 2005. It is, of course, arguable that the nature of both series were very different, but calls for more cricket on terrestrial TV have grown in volume since the Big Bash League started drawing 30,000 average crowds and million+ average ratings on Channel 10 in Australia. County Cricket on free-to-air could help a revival in the domestic game.

There are also some sports that make an active effort to keep their events on terrestrial TV. The All England Club have kept the BBC as Wimbledon’s host broadcaster, due to its ethos of trying to find the largest audience instead of the highest payment from a pay TV company. This is in spite of only the finals being protected by Ofcom. The BBC is seen as a safe bet by AELTC, who tend to stick with longstanding sponsors and partners, with 17.3 million UK viewers tuning in to watch Andy Murray triumph in 2013. This must have had an effect on Wimbledon’s attendances, because they continue to grow year-on-year, with gates for on-the-day tickets now often being closed in the early hours of the morning.

World Snooker have also kept their grandstand events free-to-air, largely due to the growth of the sport in the 1970s and 1980s being due to primetime BBC coverage. The peak audience for the 2014 World Championship Final was an impressive 5 million, but the record ratings were set at the climax of the 1985 “black ball final” between Steve Davis and Dennis Taylor, where a staggering 18.5 million people watched in the early hours of the morning. Figures such as these are nearly impossible to gain on Sky or BT Sport.

The debate over how sport should be televised will rage on for years to come, but recent deals have shown that the terrestrial companies are increasingly able to compete with the satellite giants. After 20 years of dominance in bidding wars, maybe free-to-air will see a resurgence in the next decade, and raise the profiles of some sports back to where they belong.

Review: Fates and Furies

Fates and Furies tells the story of Lotto and Mathilde’s seemingly happy marriage. The novel employs a split narrative, the first half (Fates) is about Lotto’s life and the second half (Furies) is about Mathilde’s. To say this novel is about their different perspectives on their marriage would be inaccurate, for instead of telling two sides of the same story, Groff tells two completely different stories about two very distinct people. This novel is not about ‘Lotto and Mathilde’, it’s about ‘Lotto’ and ‘Mathilde’.

In the first half of the book (Fates) we learn about Lotto, the handsome, ebullient and popular playwright who was born into a wealthy family and is loved by all who meet him. Lotto has been graced with good fortune his entire life, and this privilege is afforded by—as Groff writes, “being born male and rich and White and American”. He meets Mathilde in their last week of college and upon first sight, immediately proposes. They are married two weeks later and embark upon a long and ostensibly happy marriage, of which others exalt (or disparage) from afar. Mathilde gives up her career to—as Lotto puts it—”make his run more smoothly”. Lotto waxes lyrical about the virtues of his saintly wife, describing her as “the purest person he’d ever met”. The second half of the book (Furies) reveals a darker and angrier side of Mathilde, a side that she has made sure to never show to Lotto. We find out the details of Mathilde’s tragic childhood and the extent of the secrets she has kept to maintain Lotto’s life through rose-tinted glasses.

I hugely enjoyed this novel because of the complexities of the two protagonists who had felt like thoroughly well-rounded characters with their own flaws and curiosities. I appreciated that Groff was not afraid to show the ugliness of Lotto and Mathilde; Lotto’s carelessness and narcissism, and Mathilde’s anger and spitefulness. These characters are not likeable, but they are real people with real emotions and contradictions and this is why I never stopped rooting for them. Groff never lets you lose sight of the fact that, despite their flaws, Lotto and Mathilde share a genuine love for each other.

The prose that Groff uses is some of the most striking and beautiful I have ever read, her metaphors and similes are so precise and unique that it immediately conjures the exact image she is trying to convey. Young twenty-something’s are “yuppies in embryo, miming their parents’ manners”, bubbles in a champagne flute “flea-jump”, a bus “knelt the passengers off like a carnival elephant” and a body is held until it is no longer recognised “like a word repeated until it has lost all meaning”. I lost count of the times that I have put the book down, awestruck by Groff’s skill, and thought “I wish I could write like that”.

Admittedly, I did feel that the first half of the book (Fates) flowed better than the second (Furies). Lotto’s life is recounted chronologically, so we can see the progression from a genius wonder-child, to rebellious teenage outcast, to confident and accomplished playwright. In contrast, Mathilde’s life is described through a series of flashbacks and flash-forwards—which for me, wasn’t quite as gripping. Additionally, there are frequent excerpts from Lotto’s plays, including one from an opera entitled The Anitgonad—the protagonist of which is based on Antigone from Greek mythology. As someone who had to use Wikipedia to look up Antigone when it was mentioned in the book, and being somewhat of a philistine when it comes to theatre, these references went over my head and I personally didn’t feel they added to the narrative. Despite these small criticisms, I was utterly compelled by Fates and Furies from the very first page, and if this novel is anything to go by, I very much look forward to reading more of Lauren Groff’s writing.

Interview: Alex Hurst

The University of Manchester’s new filmmaking society has produced two student short films over last semester—one of the films, Hostage, is a psychological thriller from first-time filmmaker Alex Hurst. Produced on a micro-budget of under £100, and with influences including David Lynch, Stanley Kubrick and the film noir genre, the film’s titular scenario details the story of a girl who finds herself under interrogation from a man named Dr. Brant.

The film’s production, which wrapped up recently, has run very smoothly—Alex has said that producer Cerys Spilsbury has been “fantastic in terms of organising” the shoot and finding the necessary locations. Given the highly stylised nature of the film, the main concern for this low-budget film has been about lighting, but Alex has said that the film’s crew have been able to work well within their budgetary limitations. The main cast consists of just two actors; Rachael Kipling plays the lead, and Oliver Maynard in the role of Dr. Brant. Alex is reluctant to share too many details about the film’s plot, stating that he does not wish to spoil it for viewers.

Hostage is currently entering the stages of post-production, with possibilities of April being the month of completion. The film is estimated to be at about 10 – 15 minutes in length, although the exact runtime will not be determined until editing is complete. There will also be an upcoming fundraiser to help with the additional costs for the film—no date has been set yet for this event, but Alex says that it will be happening in the near future.

Alex adds that he would highly recommend the filmmaking society to other student filmmakers, citing the society’s president James Walker as an enormous help in getting his film into production. The filmmaking society will be continuing to produce more student films, aiming to submit them—including Hostage—into short film competitions.

Review: Mary Poppins

“Practically perfect in every way”

Everyone has watched, or at least heard, the story of Mary Poppins. It’s a timeless classic. Zizi Strallen takes on the role of the “practically perfect” Mary Poppins and is wonderful. It isn’t easy to take on this iconic lead, especially since the role has become synonymous with Julie Andrews, yet Strallen succeeds in bringing poise and elegance to the magical character. Mary Poppins isn’t the only iconic character. Matt Lee steps into the shoes of Dick Van Dyke’s character, Bert. Lee brings energy and exceptional dance performances, whilst perfectly encapsulating the cheeky chappy character.

However, this wasn’t a show driven solely by the leads; instead it is the liveliness and spirit of the entire cast that leads to a show-stopping performance. The feel good sentiment of the show is infectious. This was particularly seen in the rendition of ‘Step in Time’, which was certainly a highlight of the entire show.

The production was spectacular. Seamless group dance sequences, extraordinary vocals, and an unbelievable tap dancing sequence around the proscenium by Bert. The Banks children brought mischief and produced a nearly flawless performance between them. Wendy Ferguson was magnificent and had exceptional comic timing playing the role of Mrs Brill, one of the Banks’ employees, and produced a standout performance. The entire cast brought the magical story to life, which broke the fourth wall and engrossed the audience.

The production wasn’t the same old rendition of film, but added new dimensions. New characters were introduced, such as the villainous Miss Andrews, the strict nanny. Or the vibrant and sassy Mrs Correy, who owns a conversation shop. The show featured new songs, alongside classics such as ‘The Perfect Nanny’ and ‘A Spoonful of Sugar’.  Rebecca Lock performs a heartfelt and vocally excellent performance of ‘Being Mrs Banks’—a new song. The show also presented a darker side to the story, which made the redemption of characters that much more rewarding, as they learn the error of their ways.

The show was vibrant and energetic, showcasing the impossible and the audience’s imagination. There were bright vibrant sets that brought the park sequences to life. The entire set design was incredible and nothing short of magic. The set changes were flawless and dynamic, as the Banks’ family home resolved and transformed as simply as a child’s doll house. The production was incredibly creative, illustrated through the attention to detail from Mary Poppins iconic peacock umbrella to the costumes of the statues and toys that came to life.

As a result, the show was rewarded by spontaneous applause throughout and left the audience wondering how set pieces were created, if not by magic. The show is definitely not one to miss. It’s a feel good classic with added dimensions, which leaves you with the feeling that ‘Anything can happen’.

Live: Pangaea: Level 10

Saturday 30th January 2016

Manchester Students’ Union

Although Pangaea is a firm favourite amongst students, it’s a difficult event to review as you can experience it in so many different ways. Everyone has their preferences, whether it be catching the headliners in Academy 1, or spending the whole night in the silent disco. One thing for sure though was that this iteration’s ‘Level 10’ theme was brilliant; from rooms covered in Tetris blocks, to all the Super Marios and Lara Crofts partying in the SU as if their life depended on it.

In terms of the line up, Pangaea Level 10 was reasonably solid. Electro-popper Katy B tackled the headline position fairly well. ‘Crying For No Reason’ was an expected classic, and ‘Calm Down’ (written with Floating Points and Four Tet) from her star-studded upcoming album impressed. Unfortunately it felt as if her set wasn’t on for very long, and her momentum was broken up by fairly long gaps between songs.

Preceding Katy B was Swim Deep. Playing a set heavy with tracks from new album Mothers, it was nice to see a different indie sound at Pangaea compared to a nearly completely electronic lineup. Unfortunately their sound didn’t lend itself to a wild student night, and this was reflected in their failure to draw an Academy 1 crowd compared to past Pangaeas.

Up in Academy 3, Move D had the crowds in the palm of his hand with a purely disco set. From Bileo’s ‘You Can Win’ to Timeless Legend’s ‘I Was Born to Love You’, the set was a joy to behold and embodied the Pangaea ethos. In contrast, Mount Kimbie’s anticipated DJ set failed to impress—a bit heavy and a bit uninteresting.

Personally this author spent the whole night in the back-beaten top floors of the Students’ Union. Up there in these dens of iniquity, students moved from room to room with every song change. You could move from a crammed room of pulsing drum and base, to a room of five people monging out to the blaring beats of The Kinks’ ‘Cloud Generator’. To me this feels the true spirit of Pangaea; having a great (if slightly inebriated) time in a place you wouldn’t expect. Wherever you spend the night, from the SU cafe to the Council Chambers, this tends to be the case.

Students urged to register to vote after electoral registration shake up

Changes to the electoral registration system so that voters will now have to register individually is thought to decrease the number of voters most drastically in areas that have a large population of students.

University town, Canterbury has seen the largest drop in voters—numbers are expected to have fallen by 13 per cent. Cambridge and Dundee West have also been negatively affected, each with an 11 per cent loss in voter registration.

Previous to the changes, voters could register by household. The government has argued that the change is to improve the accuracy of the list, which will help to avoid fraud and error.

Those opposed to the changes say that the move is too quick, having been brought forward by a year against the advice from the Electoral Commission. Supporters argue that this change has been coming for a while, particularly with the UK being the last Western democracy to use the household registration method.

Far from the 1.9 million missing voters that the Electoral Commission predicted in the run up to the register changes, there is concern over the 1.8 per cent that are missing from last year.

Gloria De Piero, Shadow Minister for Electoral Registration, has been at the forefront of those encouraging students to register, even knocking on doors in her constituency in past weeks.

She says: “The transition to Individual Electoral Registration (IER) has resulted in a significant fall in the number of people on the electoral register in areas with a university,”

“As you will know, IER prevents universities from block registering all their students in halls of residence, but measures should be taken to ensure that it is as easy as possible for individual students to register.”

According to De Piero, some higher education institutions are succeeding at tackling the problem.  She says that: “The University of Sheffield has seen outstanding results by integrating voter registration into the enrolment process … I write to you today to call for official guidance to be issued to every Vice Chancellor in the country about how they can adopt the Sheffield model in their universities for next year’s enrolment.”

As of last year, the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and Royal Northern College of Music have a total of 50,000 students registered to vote.

A concern in the Greater Manchester area is the high house turnover rate, meaning that 1 in 5 of the population change household each year. High turnovers, such as in this area, make it difficult to contact individuals to remind them of registration.

Changes to electoral registration aren’t the only issue for Labour. New government boundary changes mean that the number of seats will decrease from 650 to 600.

Many have accused the Conservatives of promoting this adjustment to make it harder for Labour to win in the next election. It is currently thought that the opposition “may need bigger swing than in 1997 to win”—around 10 per cent.

Labour fears that the boundary review will potentially favour Conservative-held areas. The party not only need to win seats back from the SNP but also ones they have never won before, including  Basingstoke, Portsmouth South and Canterbury.

Speaking on the topic of electoral registration, a Cabinet Office spokesperson said: “Individual Electoral Registration is an essential measure to tackle electoral fraud. We have worked hard with local authorities for years now to clean up the register—any entries removed will be people who have moved house, died or never existed because they were registered fraudulently,”

“Students often move house every year and this can make it hard for councils to keep accurate registers. That’s why, with the government’s help, councils are working with universities on ways of ensuring the highest possible level of student registration. We fully support the aims of the National Voter Registration Drive this week. Students, like everyone, can now apply to register online in just a few minutes and at any time, day or night.”

De Piero insists that Labour need to use this time to find the voters that the government have lost. “The most important thing we all can do now, all of shadow cabinet, every Labour MP, is go out and hear people about why they did not trust us last time and what we need to change. You can never be having a fight with the electorate, you’ve got to be standing with the electorate.”

She considers this Labour’s “moral duty”. “It’s not their fault, it’s politics’ fault,” she says.

Students don’t regret Corbyn’s leadership

Last Thursday evening, the Manchester Debating Union held a debate to discuss the motion ‘This House Regrets the Election of Jeremy Corbyn to the Role of Labour Lead’. The initial straw poll indicated that just 11 per cent of the audience were in agreement with the motion, with 58 per cent against and the rest unsure.

A repeat vote at the end of the debate suggested that the proposition’s argument had been effective in convincing those who were undecided, but did not sway Corbyn’s supporters—the majority still opposed the motion at 57 per cent, whilst the percentage of those in support of the motion increased to 39 per cent.

The debate proved extremely popular with a large turnout. The lively audience was frequently called to order, and impassioned outbreaks of applause drowned out the words of the speakers on several occasions.

Speakers for the proposition included David Bender, a PhD candidate of the university of Hull, and Henry, a Labour Party member and postgraduate student. The opposition was comprised of Hannah McCarthy, Campaigns and Citizenship Officer at the University of Manchester Students’ Union, and Sam Wheeler, author of the Northern Futures Document for Corbyn’s leadership campaign and a representative on Unite’s Regional Young Workers Committee.

The proposition opened by discussing the view that Corbyn is bad for the electoral potential of the Labour party, going as far to say that he could lead them to “electoral annihilation”. The reasons cited for this include his perceived lack of competence in leadership and management of the economy, and unclear representation of his views to the media.

In response, the opposition argued that Corbyn’s appeal to the young and poor lies in the fact that he offers a left-wing alternative to mainstream career politicians. The opposition then argued that Corbyn has brought some important issues to the forefront of politics, including the refugee crisis and spending cuts.

During the proposition’s rebuttal, Bender agreed that today’s politics is narrow, but disagreed on the level of Corbyn’s popularity with the young, citing the -16 per cent approval rating of him amongst young people. He went on to argue that the negative perception of Corbyn turns the public away from some otherwise popular policies.

The opposition’s response focused on the personal change of Wheeler’s perception of Corbyn; he described his initial scepticism, and how that vanished after listening to Corbyn speak at an event in Manchester and, to the enthusiastic applause of debate audience, saw him take a selfie with a barman.

One audience member asked whether there was regret that Corbyn was not presenting his stance in a more effective way. There was disagreement within the opposition, with McCarthy believing that Corbyn standing behind his beliefs was more important than how he presented them, and Wheeler arguing that there was a case for a better press campaign, as both the message and presentation of it were important.

Henry of the proposition went much further than this, claiming that Corbyn’s approach was a “tactical disaster”. Bender argued that this is an issue specific to Corbyn rather than PR itself, and claimed he is “unwilling to engage” with this aspect of politics.

 

Adam Selby talks Pep Guardiola

The Times labelled it “The greatest deadline day signing ever”; Sky Sports referred to it as one of, if not, the, “greatest managerial coups in Premier League history”; while Noel Gallagher, Liam Gallagher, and myself were sent into a Twitter frenzy. Given the unpredictability of modern day football and accessibility to social media, perhaps the latter isn’t as uncommon as one might think with events such as David De Gea’s protracted transfer saga between Manchester United and Real Madrid six months ago and Sergio Agüero’s last minute title-clinching winner for Manchester City three seasons ago sending the Twittersphere into overdrive time and time again. But the acknowledgement by the wider global media to Pep Guardiola’s appointment perhaps reflects not just the size of the news story itself and the size of the task Manchester City had in finally getting their man to join the blue side of Manchester, but if anything, clearly signals just how well-regarded and respected Pep Guardiola is in world football.

If I take my sky blue-tinted glasses off for one moment, I can only think that his arrival is for the good of the Premier League, not just for the high level of football his teams can produce on the pitch as seen with Bayern Munich and of course his imperious FC Barcelona, but also his management style, and for the continued growth and appeal of the English game. His arrival should also put an end, one way or another, to the myth that Pep Guardiola has perhaps had it easy at his previous two clubs. As proven this season with the unexpected rise of Leicester City, and the strength of teams right throughout the top half of the Premier League, it certainly will not be a walk in the park for Pep.

Firstly, it will take Pep considerable time to assemble his own set of players and preferred style of play. The Spanish and English press have quoted three digit million figures for his apparent treasure trove that he will have at his disposal to spend, yet in reality, it is unclear whether or not this will come to fruition. Clearly Pep will need to spend to bring his Barca style of play to Manchester City, but I would certainly like to think that he will retain the services of a large number of the current crop of City players, dispelling the idea that the current City players are playing for their future. Secondly, there is the competition itself and robust nature of the Premier League. Although it remains unclear whether it will return to normality next season, the traditional top four of yester-year has become a top six, a top eight, perhaps even a top ten. Television rights and increased financial backing means that the likes of West Ham United, Stoke City and Crystal Palace are beginning to sign players who would previously and traditionally have been linked with those competing in European competitions. The likes of Bojan, Shaqiri and Cabaye have already made their mark, and part of Guardiola’s thinking will be to never underestimate the opposition given the strength in depth running right throughout the Premier League. And finally there is of course the obvious stumbling block of adjusting to the English game. Given that Manchester City turned down the chance to sign their future boss as a player eleven years ago, one would certainly hope that Guardiola’s wealth of European experience will serve him well and allow for a smooth transition into everything the Premier League has to offer.

Therefore for the neutral, we should be grateful that such an accomplished manager has decided to further his managerial career in the Premier League. But as a Manchester City fan, of course I am absolutely delighted with his decision to join Manchester City next season, putting to bed the constant rumours of an impending departure for Manuel Pellegrini. At times it has felt like Manchester City have almost been like a jigsaw puzzle, gradually being filled in piece by piece by both the success and trophies on the pitch with the men’s and women’s teams and the advances and widespread developments off the pitch, with the CFA and regeneration of the local area. Pep Guardiola will hopefully be that final piece, which allows for a prosperous and sustainable future both on and off the pitch, and I am quietly confident that his arrival will help Manchester City fulfil their true potential in all areas of the game, both domestically and in the Champions League.

This, however, is to no discredit of Manuel Pellegrini, whose stabilising and calming influence has worked wonders upon the club, as has his management and success on the pitch. Out goes a manager with the complete respect and admiration from everybody at Manchester City Football Club, and arguably, throughout English football. As Sergeant Pep is set to arrive, This Charming Man will certainly not struggle to find a high-profile job, and as much as part of me hopes it isn’t true, Pellegrini would be the perfect fit for either Chelsea or Manchester United next season, with his fast-paced, attacking brand of football on the pitch, combined with his calm and relaxed approach in interviews and press conferences off the field of play.

But as for Pep Guardiola arriving as the new manager of Manchester City this Summer, in the words of Liam Gallagher on Twitter, I’m ‘still buzzing’.

Guardiola’s Manchester City: A Preview

Manchester City’s Deadline Day announcement that Pep Guardiola will take over from Manuel Pellegrini as manager from next season is one that will whet the appetite of all Sky Blues supporters.

The most sought-after coach in world football arrives on the back of trophy-laden spells in charge at FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich, which have swollen the respective reputations of all parties. Both clubs have had a signature style of play that was the key ingredient of their success under the Spaniard.

His Barcelona swept aside all challengers with their tiki-taka system, leading them to become one of the most distinctive and successful teams in football history. They made use of short passing, domination of possession, and a tremendous amount of patience as they probed opposition defences until resistance proved futile and the scoreboard began to tick up higher and higher. The ball was passed around until the other side could simply no longer keep up.

Bayern Munich under Guardiola are a different tactical beast, making use of relentless stamina and pace to bully their way through defences. The possession-based game remains, but Bayern are a side that attacks less patiently than Barcelona, using quicker passing to move up the field and release attackers. While Lionel Messi often played up front as a ‘false nine’ at Barça, Robert Lewandowski has provided a more physical fulcrum for his attack in the Bundesliga.

Guardiola has given both sides distinct tactical identities, suggesting a level of pragmatism in his approach that has allowed the two sides to flourish in their respective leagues.

This leaves question marks as to how his Manchester City team will operate. The differences between his previous stomping grounds and the Premier League make it difficult to directly copy either system, and City have an ageing squad, which could require significant overhaul in order to play in a radically different shape and style.

Sky Sports have had their own attempts at predicting City’s XI under Guardiola for next season, seeking the guidance of footballing soothsayers Tony Cascarino and Steve Howey.

Cascarino’s attempt:

Photo: @SkySportsNewsHQ @Twitter

Howey’s effort:

Photo: @SkySportsNewsHQ @Twitter

The pair have created the kind of sides you would conjure up with your mates in the playground in year six, discussing your world football XI. Perhaps Cascarino and Howey have completely given up on any notion of sporting realism, and base their football transfer knowhow on FIFA 16 career mode and Match Magazine.

It is left to The Mancunion, therefore, to consider the make-up of The Citizens in 2016/17.

Guardiola’s father Valenti told BBC Sport about the style of play City supporters can expect upon his son’s arrival: “He will look to carry on the football of his Barcelona and Bayern teams. He has this attitude to football; not just to win, but to win in a distinctive way.”

It is a fair assumption, then, that a Barça-Bayern hybrid coming to the Etihad is a distinct possibility. The English game’s speed will restrict the amount of possession a Guardiola side will have in comparison to Spain’s La Liga, and his defence will no doubt have more to worry about than that of his all-conquering Barcelona team. In contrast to Bayern, City will be competing in an extremely competitive division, as well as on domestic cup and European fronts, meaning that the Spaniard will need to create a dynamic side with a few versatile players.

In terms of personnel, with the combination of a new manager, more Premier League TV money, and fresh investment from China, it is a safe assumption that City will spend vast swathes of Sheikh Mansour’s oil cash once again in the summer. Here’s a look at how they might kick things off in August:

His reputation as one of the Premier League’s most reliable goalkeepers means that Joe Hart will remain untroubled. His lack of dandruff will also surely stand him in good stead.

Guardiola’s full-backs traditionally provide width in attacking areas, and are not tasked with too much defensive work. City’s current full-backs, Aleksandar Kolarov and Bacary Sagna are perfectly adequate, but are not of the same quality as the likes of David Alaba and Dani Alves. Sagna’s recent form and experience might save him for the time being, but Kolarov’s inconsistency could see him reach the end of the line. Wolfsburg’s Swiss player Ricardo Rodriguez will be known to Guardiola and could provide a better alternative.

Centre-backs will need to be confident on the ball. Pep’s penchant for picking midfield players at centre-half is a staple that has continued from Barca, where Javier Mascherano transformed and made the position his own, to Bayern, who have sporadically employed both Javi Martínez and Xabi Alonso in central defence. City’s Eliaquim Mangala has the elegance and composure of a man going ice-skating on a first date, and will need to be replaced. Athletic Bilbao’s young French defender Aymeric Laporte has quality and youth on his side, and could be the man to partner captain Vincent Kompany.

In midfield, Guardiola favours a holding player who breaks up play and rarely ventures forward, a position comfortably filled by Fernandinho. David Silva can act as the side’s Iniesta equivalent, orchestrating play from deep. Yaya Touré is likely to make way this summer as his importance to the side continues to diminish, and Sheikh Mansour could break the bank to bring in Juventus’ Paul Pogba as a replacement.

In attack City have one of the world’s great strikers in Sergio Agüero, and two players who cost a combined £100m in 2015 in Raheem Sterling and Kevin de Bruyne. There seems little need to alter such a tremendous triumvirate, unless Guardiola’s arrival could increase the miniscule chances of Lionel Messi leaving behind Barcelona and his troubles with the Spanish taxman in favour of a new challenge.

Photo Credit: The Mancunion

Guardiola’s 2016/17 Manchester City side?

His detractors argue that Guardiola has only taken charge of clubs with whom it was arguably more difficult to lose the domestic league than win it, but he will come up against a more difficult challenge upon his arrival in England. He will face immense scrutiny from supporters and press alike as they watch him bark tactical instructions to his team (in one of those smart suits with his designer stubble… phwoar). Whatever style he brings to these shores, Manchester City will certainly be an intriguing watch next season.

Comeback Kids: FC United of Manchester

“We’re going to win 4-3.” These chants echoed around Broadhurst Park after George Thomson’s strike for FC United on the stroke of half-time. Now Harrogate were only leading 3-1 at the interval. The chants produced a wry smile from me, dismissive of the possibility that our defence could possibly forgo the shambolic episodes, a consistent failure to mark opposition players from set pieces and open play, that had led to three Harrogate chances, which they took with aplomb, meaning that after 40 minutes, FC were losing a generally tight, hard-fought game 3-0.

But in the first minute of the second half, neat play outside Harrogate’s penalty area culminated in a perfectly timed shot by Sam Sheridan, finding its way into the goalie’s bottom right hand corner. 3-2. The comeback was well and truly on now. What had seemed initially like self-deprecating chanting now seemed tantalisingly prescient. My earlier cynicism was replaced by a cautious sense of optimism: a belief that the Harrogate were anxious and vulnerable, but tempered by watching more than half a season of FC United flirting with the relegation zone. There was a chance we could draw, or even win the game, but surely that would be too good to be true.

However, it wasn’t, and in the 55th minute, a through ball from midfield set Tom Greaves on his way, outrunning the Harrogate centre back and with only the goalkeeper to beat. And just inside the penalty area, Greaves drove his shot into the goalie’s right-hand corner. 3-3. Cue the ecstastic scenes from me and every other FC fan. We had contrived to go 3-0 behind in a tightly contested affair, against a team fifth in the table who had beaten the league leaders 6-0 the week before, but now we had got back to 3-3. Plus, there were still 35 minutes, plus stoppage time, left. Would FC now go for jugular and finish Harrogate off? Or would they relax, and let Harrogate regroup and possibly win?

Those questions were answered all of two minutes later; Sam Madeley, FC’s dynamic winger-cum-forward, ran at the Harrogate defence and, after coming out the better of a 50-50 tackle, charged into space and towards the Harrogate goal. Another one-on-one, another great finish. 4-3 to FC United, four unanswered goals inside fifteen minutes of playing time. The majority of the stadium erupted into pandemonium: Madeley ran towards the terrace behind Harrogate’s goal and the fans streamed down from the terrace to congratulate him; I, on the other hand, jumped and cheered in disbelief, more than happy to have been made to look a right idiot.

After Madeley and his teammates were able to navigate the scores of jubilant supporters and get back into position, the game restarted. A few minutes later Harrogate were down to ten men, the assistant referee spotting an off-the-ball incident between Madeley and the Harrogate defender Louie Swann. The game calmed down after that; the advantage of an extra-man allowing FC United  to retain possession of the ball for long periods. There was one good chance to make it 5-3, a Greaves shot producing a fine save from Harrogate keeper Peter Crook. As stoppage time beckoned, however, Harrogate pressed for an equaliser; a succession of goal kicks and corners resulting in nervy moments for FC. Indeed, one of these set pieces landed on the head of a Harrogate player in the centre of the penalty area, but he could only direct his header straight into the hands of the grateful Dave Carnell. And, despite having ignored the protestations of me and those nearby that injury time was up, the referee finally called an end to the game—one of the most exhilarating sporting contests I’ve witnessed (admittedly an opinion not likely to be espoused by Harrogate Town’s players, staff or fans).

Regardless of the game being played or the standard of play, all sports fans can relate to the joy of witnessing a comeback from a seemingly certain defeat. Indeed, comebacks are so wondrous not just because of the on-field action, but the potent mix of emotions they inspire: firstly that moment, however fleeting, when your player or team has lost; then, after a positive passage of play, the thoughts of “this could actually happen”, coupled with the dread that it’s too late and the opponent(s) will just about manage to cling on to victory; and then, finally, at the end of play, the realisation at what you have witnessed, the incredulity at what has happened…fading away, transforming into an unparalleled sense of joy.

It is why, I am sure, City fans never forget the 4-3 FA Cup victory at Tottenham, or the 1999 Football League Second Division play-off Final. It is what makes the Champions League finals in Istanbul and Barcelona so incredible for fans to remember. Nick Faldo’s 1996 Masters victory against Greg Norman, Gauston Gaudio’s 2004 French Open victory from 2 sets and match point down against Guillermo Coria. The list goes on. Admittedly, however, I won’t be complaining if FC United win their next home game 3-0.

Sport in the City: Sale Sharks

Whether it’s a new sport, a team about whom you did not know, or just an event that interests us, we hope that we will be able to entice you to explore the wide sporting variety that the city has to offer during your time studying at the University of Manchester.

In the spotlight this week: Sale Sharks (Rugby Union)

Well… what is it?

Sale Sharks are a professional Rugby Union club that currently compete in the national Aviva Premiership and have historically proved to be one of the leading Rugby Union clubs in the north of England. Founded 155 years ago in 1861, Sale Sharks are an offshoot of local neighbours Sale FC, who are still based at the original home of Sale Sharks at Heywood Road in Sale. Yet in order to accommodate for the large number of both home and visiting fans, the modern day Sale Sharks presently cross codes with Rugby League, but only through sharing the same ground as local outfit Salford Red Devils. During the current league campaign, Sale Sharks have proved formidable at home, and are unbeaten ahead of our featured match against high flyers Exeter Chiefs, totalling four wins and one draw. Therefore, you can certainly expect a high level of rugby on offer for our upcoming Sport in the City.

How do I get there?

Sale Sharks play their home games at the AJ Bell Stadium, which might not be in Sale itself, but is thankfully situated not too far out of Manchester City Centre in Salford. In terms of public transport, which I would expect to the most commonly-used method of student travel around Manchester, you have two options: bus or tram. From Manchester, the number 67 conducts a regular service to Liverpool Road, leaving only a short two minute journey by foot to the stadium. Make sure, however, to catch the bus from Victoria Station and Deansgate and not Piccadilly Bus Station. The tram is another option, although its nearest stop to the stadium, Eccles, is inconveniently situated quite a long walk from the stadium itself. There is, however, the option to hop on the 67 bus after departing the tram at Eccles, to speed up your travel time should you strongly wish to catch the tram. Should you wish to drive or catch a taxi to the stadium, the ground is conveniently located for drivers, less than 500m from Junction 11 off the M60 with parking available for 600 cars.

But how much does it cost to get in?

For Sale Sharks’ upcoming home match against Exeter Chiefs this Saturday 13th February, tickets are available at the venue and also online. In terms of pricing, luckily an afternoon out watching the Sharks shouldn’t take a big chunk out of your student loan (if there’s anything left of it since its arrival) with student concession tickets available for those aged 16-22 with valid student ID. Concessionary seated tickets are available for £22 with standing on sale for £15.

What are the facilities like? 

In the words of the Sale Sharks official website ‘the newly built 12,000 capacity AJ Bell Stadium has state-of-the-art facilities to provide you with the most comfortable experience to watch the Sale Sharks’. On top of the larger West Stand, which holds up to 4,500 people with the remaining stands holding 2,500 people each, the well-maintained and modern fibre-based grass pitch ensures a great playing surface for both teams, whilst the ample parking space and insertion of ten kiosks at concourse level ensure that the stadium addresses all areas for players and spectators alike.

Tell me something I didn’t already know…

Having played in England’s top flight since 1994, Sale Sharks have boasted a number of star attractions with players from all over the world turning out for the Sharks. At the 2015 Rugby World Cup, Sale Sharks had three of their own players representing their individual countries, Phil Mackenzie (Canada) and TJ Ioane and Johnny Leota (Samoa). Meanwhile, the likes of 2003 Rugby World Cup winner Jason Robinson, French international Sebastien Chabal and the Argentine Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe have all donned the Sale Sharks colours in years gone by. Sale Sharks play in royal blue at home and electric yellow away from home, and the Sharks recorded their largest ever victory against El Salvador, six years ago, in 2010, recording an enormous victory of 97-11. Their biggest defeat, however, came at the hands of Bath, who beat Sale Sharks 84-7…at home!

Finally, when can I see this in action?

Our featured event this week has come to you from Sale Sharks, and their upcoming home game against Exeter Chiefs on Saturday 13th February at the AJ Bell Stadium. For more information please visit: http://www.salesharks.com/

If you have any requests for local teams, sports or events taking place in Manchester, or if you wish to be involved, please contact: [email protected].

The Changing DNA of Test Cricket

England’s triumph in the recent test series in South Africa was immensely enjoyable. Before the series began, it was predicted that England would offer little resistance to a South Africa team playing at home, boasting the likes of Amla, Steyn, and Mourkel. Steyn’s absence through the majority of the series due to injury played a part in England’s eventual triumph. Yet, England played the better cricket throughout the series and deserved the win.

However, the series ended on a rather sour note. Having played 3 test matches, two convincing wins either side of a narrowly secured draw, they were out played in the last, losing by 280 runs. While this is not a hammering, the defeat was dominated by a 2nd innings English batting performance that was nothing short of appalling: They were bowled out for 101 after 34.4 overs. Explanations were offered: A combination of tiredness following a run of tests in a short time period, and the fact that the series was already secured deemed the reason.

For me, the explanations for the defeat were not satisfactory. Although England were chasing a mammoth total of 381 (380+ has only been successfully chased down 3 times since the turn of the century), it was the manner in which they batted which was so frustrating. While I did not expect them to achieve the vast total, I did expect a little more fight from a team yet to lose on the tour.

The limpness of the England batting performance is something that has been observed several times over the past year. In the Ashes series of last summer, both in the second test and the fifth test, England offered little defiance when batting, subsequently losing both matches heavily. Undoubtedly, there is a feeling when watching England that a wicket falling could be the start of many.

However, this feeling is not limited to England. Last summer’s Ashes series was notably for several Australian collapses (think Edgbaston and Trent Bridge) which led to England’s victory in the series. Aside from Chris Rodgers and Steve Smith, there was no player that showed belligerence. This is remarkable, given that Australia teams of the not-so-distant past were full of tough players capable of batting for long period.

Casting back to England, I’d argue that Alistair Cook and Joe Root are the only English players who you could have faith in when the going gets tough, with Cook nearing the end of his career. Gone are the likes of Jonathan Trott, Matt Prior, Andrew Strauss, and Paul Collingwood. While the new crop of players are undoubtedly exciting, they lack the metal of the old.

This is a trend observed in across international Test cricket: gone are the likes of Tendulkar, Kallis, Ponting and Sangakkara. While these players are amongst the best to ever play the game, the issue is the disparity between the quality of player retiring and the quality of player coming into Test cricket. There are virtually no players coming through that could be deemed Test cricket specialists. Instead, the majority of players nowadays are competent in all three forms of the game.

White-ball cricket, both T20 and One-day, is fast becoming the premier form of cricket. The concentrated form is very appealing to the modern-day fan who wants easily manageable chunks of high-octane cricket. The popularity of the form has meant that it is the most financially-attractive for those playing; for example, top cricketers can earn over £1mil in the Indian Premier League (the season is 2 months long).

Understandably, it is difficult for players to ignore these lucrative ventures, despite them often conflicting with the international Test calendar. Emerging players are brought up on the shorter form of the game, a strict diet of fast, high-scoring hitting. The ability to bat for long periods, to concentrate and select shots that will preserve your wicket, is a dying trait. The One-day skillset is applied in Test cricket out of necessity. It can be very effective, as Ben Stokes illustrated recently (he scored 258 from 198 balls). However, it is clear that the DNA of Test cricket is becoming irreversibly changed by the demands of one-day cricket.

The tradition and prestige surrounding Test cricket means that it will never die out. Indeed, many players still see it as the supreme form of the game. However, for someone like me, someone that could be labelled a ‘purist’, there is an undeniable feeling of loss: Test cricket is in the process of losing some of its finest attributes. To me, Test cricket is about the gradual development of a contest between bat and ball, a batsman occupying the crease for hours on end and bowlers requiring all the tricks in their armoury to achieve the ultimate goal. Test cricket should be a slow-burning drama, reaching its crescendo after many twists and turns. To see it tarnished as a consequence of one-day cricket is saddening.

Album: Fat White Family – Songs For Our Mothers

Released 22nd January 2016 via Fat Possum Records

9/10

Songs For Our Mothers. Now here is an album to get excited about, and in no small amount unsettled by. This is, as followers of the Fat White Family will know, quite par for the course for this particular band of self professed “cripples and social retards”. The title alone with any prior knowledge of the Fat Whites is enough to make you squirm, and it doesn’t disappoint. It drones, wails, and croons through 10 debauched tracks that will make your skin crawl. Lias Saoudi, the waifish, grey-skinned frontman, sings about Hitler and Goebbels, Ike and Tina Turner, his own destructive relationship with guitarist Saul Adamczewski, and paints pictures of some of the most sordid recesses of human desire and depravity.

It is probably important to add at this point that Songs For Our Mothers, the follow up to their bitterly brilliant 2013 debut Champagne Holocaust, is an exceptional album and a clear sign of progression. The last two years by all accounts have been a tumultuous time for the group and there are plenty of gaps in the narrative that led them from the Queens Head pub in south London (where they recorded their first album) through numerous line-up changes, to Sean Lennon’s New York apartment, all via their customary brinkmanship with self-destruction.

It’s likely then that this album was borne out of a great deal of anger and misery, as well as rare artistic ability. Singles ‘Touch the Leather’ and ‘I Am Mark E Smith’ have teased the near boundless potential the Fat Whites possess over the last two years, and this potential is realised over the course of this album.

The strangled vitriol that embodied Champagne Holocaust isn’t left behind, though it is refined into a more measured menace. The sinister chanting on ‘Duce’ is quite unintelligible for the most part, but judging by the crashing drums, the rumbling bass and the demonic harmonies, you can bet it’s probably something nasty. Adamczewski’s creaking guitar and nightmarish arrangement make ‘Duce’ a mammoth track that will make you feel as though you’ve just been subject to some ancient ritual, probably involving a haunted mausoleum, the blood of a few virgins and a full moon.

This kind of overwhelming onslaught of sound is combined with the somewhat perverted Hawaiian feel of songs such as ‘Lebensraum’ or ‘When Shipman Decides’, which put a fairly sedate spin on characters more commonly associated with war crimes and/or murder. Listening to ‘Lebensraum’ was almost certainly the first time I’ve ever been led to imagine Adolf Hitler stretching out in a deck chair, adorned in some lurid floral patterns, maybe cracking open a cold Becks, and really starting to enjoy the living space he has murdered thousands to create. It is moments like this that demonstrate what the Fat White Family are all about, fed up with the music of their peers, delving into the most pathetic corners of mankind’s psyche, revelling in the worst of all of us.

They draw uncomfortable parallels and construct disturbing images that, although extreme, represent the fact that really they don’t think music is all that good these days, not to mention the political landscape. Their own situation of couch surfing and dealing with dangerous addictions and destructive relationships is hardly rosy either.

But they embrace their own gruesomeness and claw back some pride the only way they can: By making some noise and being brutal in their assessment of Britain, London, music, politics, and human nature. They have always been unreserved in interviews, never holding anything back, whether it’s to criticise George Osbourne or Mac De Marco, and they are equally as unabashed in their songs. The honesty and vivid vitality of their art is something to be applauded in a music scene peppered with success hungry posers and vapid opportunists.

If the current musical landscape in Britain was a party, and the Arctic Monkeys were the leather jacketed, sickeningly confident guest who was chatting up all the best looking girls and drinking everyone else’s booze, then the Fat White Family would be the unapproachable, drooling, semi-naked bloke hunched in a corner on his own muttering to himself balefully in tongues.

Sure, maybe many of us think we’d like to be the suave go-getter Alex Turner reckons he is, but we’re all droolers deep down. Everyone’s got a dark place in their brain somewhere, no one is as cool as they think they are and anyone who is certain that they are can still purchase AM from all the usual places, and probably spends ages on their hair.

Everyone else should go buy this album. The pay off is immense, not least the masterful closer ‘Goodbye Goebbels’ which, after the relentless onslaught and immersive qualities of the first 9 songs, gives the impression that you are emerging from the dust and rubble of the Fuhrer Bunker into a desolate, silent Berlin, resigned to defeat and resigned to the fact that humans are far from perfect, finding solace in the fact that this album nearly is.

Highlights: ‘Satisfied’, ‘Hits Hits Hits’, ‘Goodbye Goebbels’