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Day: 19 September 2017

Tim Martin: lower VAT in pubs is good for students, economy and government

Branded ‘Tax Equality Day‘, Wetherspoon’s pubs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be cutting the price of all food and drink by 7.5 per cent on Wednesday the 20th of September.

At present, all food and drink in pubs is subject to 20 per cent VAT, compared with food in supermarkets which benefits from zero-rate VAT.

As a result, supermarkets are able to use that saving to sell alcohol at a discounted rate, pubs argue.

Pubs also argue that supermarkets pay around 2 pence per pint of business rates, whereas pubs pay about 18 pence.

Explaining why students should support the campaign, Tim Martin, Wetherspoon’s chairman, said: “Students can continue to support the campaign for tax equality by making sure they understand these 2 facts: pubs pay 20% tax for food sales and supermarkets nothing. That is unfair, and also pushes up the price of a pint or meal in a pub versus a supermarket.”

“Since pubs generate more jobs and tax per pint and per meal anyway, it makes economic sense for the government to tax pubs and supermarkets at the same rate”, Mr Martin told The Mancunion ahead of the campaign day for lower VAT in the hospitality industry.

Tim Martin hopes that students will join him in his pubs, claiming that “staying in halls of residence or student digs all the time would drive anyone mad.”

However, Mr Martin did jokingly tell The Mancunion: “But don’t stay so long in our pubs that you get behind with your studies, I beg you… my son went to Manchester University and lived in Fallowfield, so I’m speaking from experience…”

The Wetherspoon’s chairman suggested that “pubs are an important part of the social fabric of the UK”, providing “a melting pot for local communities, which all social classes can enjoy.”

“This unfair combination of taxes has meant that pub prices have increased at a far higher rate than supermarkets over the years”, something which Mr Martin told The Mancunion has “resulted in customers — including students — being unfairly encouraged by tax policies to buy beer and food from supermarkets, so thousands of pubs have lost trade and closed in the last decade.”

Mr Martin said: “In a nutshell, we believe the government will create more tax and jobs if it equalizes tax, and will also benefit the UK socially by reversing the alarming trend of pub closures. Students and others will pay a lot less for pub and restaurant meals if the government supports tax equality.”

What do I wear to Pangaea?

What do I wear to Pangaea?

Pangaea is the pièce de résistance of fresher’s week, an excuse for fancy dress and dubious decisions. This year the theme is Charlie And The Chocolate Factory and everyone with a Golden ticket to the gates of Pangaea has thought one of two things:

A) what do I wear without looking a complete kn*b in a £40 costume from ‘Luvyababes’ that by the end of the night will be covered in various bodily fluids and ambiguous spirits, or

B) looking like I haven’t tried at all with an ‘I’ll shove a fun hat on with jeans’ attitude.

I’ll admit, it’s one of the harder themes. So, to make it a bit easier I have chosen five looks you can do on the cheap, based on the 1971 and 2005 film adaptions.

 

Willy Wonka

This one is for the cop outs/wannabe Johnny Depp’s. You can do it for a few quid and minimal effort. All you’ll need is a dressing gown and top hat (or knee length, burgundy, velvet blazer if you have one lying around). Decked out like an eccentric ex-Etonian, why not a go a step further and pair with Kurt Cobain style sunglasses as worn by Depp in the 2005 adaption (available on Amazon for £0.99).

DISCLOSURE: Do not buy a cane. Trust me the bouncers are more fastidious than airport security (I had a sparkly wand confiscated in 2015 and I’m still salty about it).

 

Oompa-Loompa

This one is for the fashion conscious.

Hear me out!

I don’t mean the 1970’s Oompa-Loompas with Geordie Shore tans and green hair. Instead, look to the 2005 adaption, with Oompa-Loompas clad in red vinyl. Invest in a skirt or tight fit trousers, because fortunately for you it’s a risqué trend you can wear again on other nights out. Pair with an oversized t-shirt or bandeau top.

 

Violet Beauregarde

Here is an excuse to go all out Fallow style. I’m talking tracksuit, scruffy trainers, blunt cut bob, jaw swinging (with chewing gum). Bonus points if you re-use the outfit at Antwerp.

 

Mike Teavee

For this one, definitely take inspiration from the 1971 film adaption rather than the 2005 one (unless you want to end up looking like a budget version of Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong). With an easy cowboy theme, you can utilise that Stetson you almost certainly brought with you to uni just in case fancy dress was required, or just simply because you’re a country/western fan. Pair with a gingham shirt and red bandana, easily available on ASOS.

 

Augustus Gloop

This can go one of two ways. Drawing on the Germanic roots of Gloop, you can either opt for the German military style look chosen for in the 1971 film (but at risk of doing a ‘Paul Hollywood’). Or, the red candy-cane stripy t-shirt chosen in the 2005 film. I would suggest the latter as stripy t-shirts are easier to source nowadays. Remember to pair with a chocolate bar and you’re set to go.

DISCLOSURE: Be careful of cultural appropriation with this one, there is a strict policy against it at the Students’ Union and you don’t want a reprimand ruining your night.

 

Most importantly, enjoy! Your costume will probably be wrecked by the end of the night anyway, no matter what you wear.

 

Fashion player of the week: Gosha Rubchinkskiy

Name: Gosha Rubchinskiy

Birth: 29 June 1984, Moscow, Russia

Occupation: Fashion designer and Photographer

 

If you haven’t heard his name before, you soon will.

Graduating from Moscow College of Technology and Design, Georgiy Aleksandrovich Rubchinskiy launched his fashion design career with his first collection Empire of Evil for SS/09.

Rubchinskiy’s designs are inspired by post-soviet Russia. After the collapse of the USSR in 1991 and the ending of rigid censorship there was a sudden influx of western culture that penetrated the formerly closed society. There was a new freedom to access previously prohibited and exotic art, literature, music, and fashion from the West.

Rubchinskiy’s designs are shaped by youth street culture, including his own experience as a teen in this new and uncertain time. He is particularly inspired by the youth football, skate, and rave scenes. For example, he has collaborated with several high-profile sporting companies such as Adidas and Kappa. His Adidas collaboration was also influenced by the fact Russia will be hosting the 21st FIFA World Cup in 2018 and features logoed football shirts and scarves. This heavy application of logos, both from sporting and known fashion houses such as Burberry, reflects the post-soviet obsession with western culture and all-you-can-eat style consumerism.

His shows are always held in meaningful locations that reflect his aesthetic. For example, his SS/18 collection was held in the Communication Workers’ House of Culture on Bolshaya Morskaya Ulitsa, St. Petersburg’s. This location was said to have once housed electronica raves influenced by Timur Novikov, a radical artist and originator of the post-Soviet avant-garde. The models walked out to jolting rave music that created an ambiance of illicit fun.

His designs have made such a splash that they are beginning to be emulated on the high street. For example, his logo football scarf (as pictured) has inspired various stores such as Urban Outfitters and Topshop to create their own versions and can be found on shelves across the world.

 

Remembering Roald Dahl – Author and Innovator

The 13th of September marks the 101st birthday of Roald Dahl — one of the world’s most beloved, revered, and internationally acclaimed children’s authors. Roald Dahl Day has been celebrated for many years, often with entire sections of bookshops dedicated to his famous works; such as Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, James and The Giant Peach, Matilda, The Witches, and Fantastic Mr. Fox, to name a few.

Dahl’s children’s books are pleasantly quirky, with recurrent dark undertones that are disguised by his matter-of-fact humour, which comically creates order in the often very confusing worlds that his characters live in. Having grown up reading Dahl, like many others, I felt a deep connection to the colourful stories and satisfying sense of escapism when reading them. I found myself vicariously living through his characters as they — often good, kind-hearted youngsters — triumphed over villainous adults, offering an unequivocal sense of poetic justice!

I find it very difficult to say which one of Dahl’s novels I love the most — as I have taken something valuable from them all. However, one of my all time favourite Dahl books is The BFG. The story — a young girl named Sophie who is abducted by a friendly, vegetarian Giant living among carnivores — is a testament to the constant triumph of good over evil and innocence versus experience in Dahl’s novels. The giant, like Dahl, is an exception to most conventional rules and expectations and with Sophie’s help, captures the monsters and succeeds in saving all the children.

The book is full of invented words that are fun to pronounce, like hopscotchy (cheerful), squibbling (writing), and scrumdiddlyumptious (delicious!). This is characteristic of Dahl’s work, so much so that lexicographer Susan Rennie has recently published a volume of ‘Dahlisms’ titled The Oxford Roald Dahl Dictionary.

His inventiveness did not end there. After his daughter’s death and his wife’s stroke, Dahl was a passionate advocate of immunising children against measles, and created an intensive therapy regimen for his wife, eventually leading to her full recovery. Dahl also was part of a team that invented a valve for treating hydrocephalus, which helped thousands of children until it was replaced by a newer design.

It is also understood that there is an autobiographical element to Dahl’s books. Having written about his experiences at a boarding school where ritual punishment was commonplace, it is not surprising that his novels are charged with messages about morality and the mistreatment of younger minds. It is also ironic that he was not considered a particularly talented writer by one of his English teachers, whose words represent the signature predicament that lots of Dahl’s characters find themselves in: not being understood by adults. His teacher, in one school report, remarked “I have never met anybody who so persistently writes words meaning the exact opposite of what is intended.”

It is perhaps this rebellious and nonchalant attitude that drove Dahl to success. His opposition to conventional, rigid structures, vibrantly illustrated within the confines of safe pieces of fiction, is what makes children and adults alike take comfort in the stories, where anything is possible.

Dahl’s sympathy for the innocence and fragility of human nature is what gives his writing it’s heartwarmingly distinct quality. He remains a great source of inspiration for me personally — reading most of his novels at such a young age is what contributed to my love for reading. I don’t think I will ever tire of occasionally, taking a break during stressful, busy periods and going dream-catching with the BFG, or losing myself in Wonka’s Chocolate Factory!

 

 

A local guide for international students

I’ve always been somewhat of a foreigner. Though I have Chinese ethnicity, I went to an international high school — the teachers were British, but every student spoke with a rather grating American accent. As a result, I came to the UK with somewhat of mix, culturally; Americanisms coupled with Asian mannerisms.­ I was direct and outspoken to the point of being aggressive and confrontational. I disliked the pressure of having to make small talk with a cashier. And when someone asked me where I went to school, I thought they were genuinely interested in the details of my adolescence. Coming from an English-speaking country, I thought integration into everyday life in Manchester would come naturally, since I was already used to the bulk of Anglo-Saxon customs. Sadly, I, and anyone else who makes this assumption, would be grossly mistaken.

To the new class of freshmen arriving in Manchester from faraway, here are some tips compiled from my last year of cultural confusion, and advice looking forward to the next academic year.

What you should know about the British:

1.     Get used to small talk. In Singapore when you went to eat with friends, you only ever made contact with your waiter four times: when they lead you to your table, when they took your order, when they gave you your food, and when they took your money. There wasn’t any effort expended to acknowledge there was an actual human being with independent thoughts that was serving you. The same goes for cashiers, street vendors, and pretty much everyone else working in the service industry; and to my knowledge, this cold professionalism is prevalent in most Asian countries. It is different here. Even in the most casual of exchanges — whether you are filling out a form at the student office, or bumping into a someone when you are on your way to a lecture — people will ask you how your day was and expect a reply. When I first arrived I was struck at how important these short exchanges were to making longer lasting relationships. My advice is simple: if they are strangers keep your answer short, relaxed, but politely distant. If they are people you have met more than once, feel free to chat a bit more, and when you see them, make an effort to initiate small talk.

2.     Be generous with compliments, but resistant towards accepting them. I used to smile widely and enthusiastically accept any compliment extended to me, but be pretty slow at offering any myself. I thought that giving compliments when one was only mildly impressed came across as disingenuous and distasteful, but again, I was wrong. As the Economist advises, “If someone compliments you, permit a small blush to rise to your cheeks, and say, ‘Oh, it was nothing’.” Also dole out a few of your own compliments, but make sure they are measured and come from a truthful place.

3.     Avoid tense confrontations and strong opinions. Though the Brits enjoy their fair share of heated political discussion as much as the rest of us, it’s probably a good rule of thumb to avoid any heavy topics when you first meet people. This applies to when you work together on an assignment and come across a disagreement. I used think that plowing through and arguing heatedly was the best way to resolve a conflict, since every party would have the opportunity to air out their opinions in a non-judgmental environment. However, the British tend to value tact, symbolic gestures of compromise, and patient diplomacy. Straight-forwardness and brutal honesty comes, if at all, after establishing a relationship of trust and mutual benefit.

4.     Say your pleases and thank-yous. Exactly what it says on the tin; common courtesies go a long way in the UK. It may seem excessive to some, but I’ve personally found that it makes everyday life a bit more pleasant for everyone. So hold the door open when you can, bring a six-pack when you’re invited to a party, and say please and thank you a lot.

5.     Master the art of self-deprecation. I was once horrified to hear some of the things the British said about themselves — it just seemed like a masochistic ritual of self-humiliation. I still don’t quite fully understand it to be honest; maybe it’s an intellectual reminder to never take oneself or the world too seriously, or a self-defence mechanism where one critiques oneself so the judgments of others aren’t as hurtful. But nonetheless, learn to make the occasional light-hearted jab at yourself (just don’t make it too depressing). I also made the mistake of assuming that because people were already poking fun at themselves, it was okay to tease them with their own ammunition even if we had only just met. Short story: this isn’t true. Friendly teasing comes much later in the relationship and after you have sufficient evidence to show that they are okay with it.

 

Making the most of first year:

1.     Travel! The UK, and Manchester in particular, is accessible to some of Europe’s most amazing destinations, and in your first year you aren’t beholden to many obligations. Take this chance to enjoy a trip over one of the shorter breaks to Belfast, Paris, Edinburgh, or Amsterdam. There are plenty of things to see closer to home as well like Birmingham, Oxford, and of course, London. For many of you that have to take long flights or torturous road trips to cross state borders, your time in university presents a valuable opportunity that won’t come often. If you can’t travel far, definitely use the time to attend Manchester’s festivals and enjoy the city beyond its student-friendly pubs. Manchester is, despite having the leftover façade of an industrial town, a wonderful cultural center with musicals, concerts, and plays happening every other week.

2.     Learn to do most of your socializing when you drink. It is hard to emphasise how important drinking culture is in the UK, especially when you’re a student. It is where the bulk of socialisation occurs; where, under the dim light with a pint in hand, people loosen their strings and make fun, light-hearted conversation as well as exchange more intense dialogue that may include their personal philosophical insights — dependent on how late it is, and how much they’ve had to drink. Even if you’re not too fond of drinking, tag along to pub crawls or casual beers after class and feel free to stick to a Coke. I’ve found that Manchester students are open and accepting, and while they may be the type to pursue aggressive drinking with the sole purpose of oblivion, they aren’t likely to coerce you to do the same.

3.     Make local friends. While missing home and unused to loneliness, it’s easy to mix with people who give you a comforting sense of familiarity. Though it’s definitely valuable to have friends that ground you with shared cultures and experiences, try to mingle with people from all over. In my past year, I’ve met people who have been endlessly kind, humble, and wise. I’ve also met people on the other end of the spectrum. Being part of such a large and diverse student body is a large portion of Manchester’s appeal, and it’d be a missed opportunity not to take advantage of it.

I won’t sugar-coat it, the first year can sometimes be challenging. Loneliness in a strange city can be suffocating and the academia may be demanding. However, with new environments free of the burdens of past mistakes and the ingrained perceptions of others, university life as an international student can be freeing. It’s a time to fully commit oneself to being daring and open-minded. And with that, I wish the incoming class the best of luck.

Our homelessness problem

Manchester is, in every sense, a modern metropolis. It is the country’s third largest city, with industrial era warehouses that it has wisely preserved and repurposed, maintaining a strong sense of heritage. A cultural center for the arts, a thoroughly urban economy, and, emblamatically of the 21st century — with income inquality now at the highest levels since the previous peak of the ‘roaring 20s’ — a place where you will find both England’s most affluent, and it’s most deprived. Walking on the streets, especially the busier ones in Northern Quarter or Piccadilly, you will encounter tens of people wrapped up in sleeping bags or sitting on cardboard — all with limited access to food, hygiene, and healthcare.

Homelessness in the UK is growing a disturbing rate — the scale and severity to which have complex origins with no simple solutions. Preliminary reading will inform you of factors such as the Great Recession of the past decade, the lack of social safety nets, affordable housing and prospects for economic migrants, and the demoralising absence of political drive to combat homelessness. And in these larger socio-economic trends, there are the personal tragedies of individuals who struggle with mental health, addiction, and histories of abuse and dysfunction. This article will not address the larger structural changes that need to take place to solve Manchester’s homelessness crisis. Instead, it is an appeal for compassion and a warning against our desensitisation to the hardship of others.

Most of us do not deserve the things we have, that is the plain truth. At least, we do not deserve the things we have more than anyone else that — if born with our circumstances and privileges — would probably have worked just as hard and achieved just as much. In many ways, we know this, though the illusions of our own merit extend far beyond their actual boundaries. It is this fear that we have not earned our happiness that causes us to turn away from suffering, because there is that frightening thought that if things had unfolded slightly differently, we would be also sleeping in the cold. These mirrored realities — of what is versus what might well have been — also make it easy to vicariously experience the pain of others that we see. There are many more layers of anxiety to our reactions to the homeless. There is a fear of judgement in the sense that, since we are cognisant of own unworthiness, the homeless will also be aware and resent us all the more for it. However, this apprehension, which is really more of a reflection of what we think of ourselves, prevents us from extending help to others. Over the course of many days, some people may even moralise their apathy. I’ve heard friends and family members, normally capable of deep kindness, accuse the homeless of self-destruction brought about by their own incompetence and laziness. It is easier to dismiss the humanity of others than to confront our own insecurities.

But the homeless should not have to take the brunt of our indifference. Small gestures that extend basic human decency, such as smiling or saying ‘good morning’ to a homeless man or woman, would go a long way in overcoming our internal obstacles. Make conversation with the person who sits outside the coffee shop as you wait for your friend or wave at the woman by the bus station to show that you remember her. If you can, volunteer at a food bank or offer to buy something on your next trip to the shop. Though these courtesies that we would give any of our friends are not exactly impactful, our apathy is on the other hand actively damaging. The inability to confront guilt stunts the desire for meaningful political action. And there will be some days where we are too tired and where it is too difficult to see pain reflected back at us, but that is part of the process of learning what it means to care sincerely for others. Perhaps it is the most significant part — if we can wake up the next morning and resist the urge to never make an effort again, we know that we are one step closer to making a difference.

Invest in the best for your beauty bag

September is once more upon us, and it’s hard to believe summer has been and gone! As our tans (real or faux) start to fade, and term time beckons, here is my top pick of beauty buys to invest in to stand you and your make-up bag in good stead for the remainder of 2017.

Stick to it – Hourglass Vanish Seamless Foundation Stick

This multi-tasking magical foundation stick not only provides you with a lightweight flawless foundation coverage but also doubles as a concealer.

Hourglass have created this foundation stick to contain double the usual concentration of foundation pigment which not only will be able to cover those dark circles gained from endless partying in welcome week but also enables you to build the coverage in areas of your concern. (AKA blemishes induced by the high sugar content of all those Jägerbombs).

Not only does this weightless texture last for up to 12 hours,  its waterproof abilities make it the perfect staple for the rainy Manchester climate!

My favourite aspect of this product is the application process. Simply place four dots on your forehead, cheeks, and chin, and buff into your skin with a foundation brush. The triangular shape of the applicator allows for further precision and perfecting.

Its compact packaging makes this the perfect foundation tool for the girl on the go; running around campus to all of your induction week lectures and seminars.

With 26 available shades, suiting all skin types — both dry and oily — as well as being indisputably cruelty-free and vegan, this foundation choice is a no-brainer beauty investment.
RRP £42, Space NK, 5 St Anns Square, Manchester M2 7LP

Photo Credit: www.spacenk.com/uk/en_GB/

 

Up in the clouds – Glossier Cloud Paint Duo

Even if you haven’t heard of Glossier, you have probably seen its millennial pink and bold packaging plastered to your Instagram feed by some of the worlds most respected beauty industry experts, editors and bloggers.

This New York brand was created by Into The Gloss founder, Emily Weiss, in 2014. Coveted by all of us beauty addicts in the UK, the wait is almost over for us to purchase it on home soil!
My top recommended purchase from Glossier would be their Cloud Paint Duo. This smooth, creamy, gel textured blush is available in four shades inspired by New York sunsets; Dusk, Puff, Beam and Haze.

It’s low maintenance application also won me over — only fingers tips required — and it provides a bright, colourful, dewy complexion, that doesn’t mask but enhances all of your natural features!

The efficiency scale of this product is off the charts — the tiniest drop goes the longest way. Your radiant cheeks will be visible for miles around! It’s the perfect antidote if you’re feeling a little washed out as winter looms large.
Ingredient wise, it contains collagen — an ingredient renowned for plumping and hydrating your skin. Both the cloud paints, and the remainder of the eclectic Glossier range are paraben and cruelty-free, making them an even more attractive purchase.
The Glossier collection will be available to purchase online in the UK from October and their prices range from £10-£32.

Photo Credit: www.instagram.com/glossier

It’s lit – Urban Decay Naked Heat Palette

Urban Decay are renowned for their infamous Naked Eyeshadow Palettes, and the newly launched Heat Palette has stepped up to the plate with a departure from more conservative shades bringing us a masterpiece of 12 new tantalising amber orientated shades. These comprise of five shimmery and seven matte buttery colours that utilise browns, burnt oranges, deep reds, and ash tones.
Fashioning a versatile array of looks is made simple with this serious piece of kit, whether your goal is paired down and neutral, a statement smokey eye, or an artist’s hybrid of both. In the words of Mean Girl’s Cady Heron “the limit does not exist”.
Nude shades such as ‘Chaser’ can be used as a great base — shades like ‘Sauced’ and ‘Low Blow’ can build on the intensity. A top tip would be to use these on the creases of your eye lid to ensure a professional transition for a smokey eye.

‘Lumbre’ and ‘Scorched’ can be used to build intensity in the centre of your eye, and shadows can be deepened with darker tones such as ‘En Fuego’.

It’s large compact mirror and double ended brush endow you with the essential tools to apply and blend the velvety textures to your hearts desire.
The warming tones make this purchase the perfect partner in crime for your autumnal berry winter wardrobe pieces. It even comes equipped with a large compact mirror and double ended brush for application and blending.
I would recommend using an eye base and eye primer such as the Urban Decay Eye Primer Potion (RRP £16) to maintain your eye shadow Picasso masterpiece throughout the day and evening.

RRP £39.50  Urban Decay, Debenhams, Market Street, Manchester, M60 1TA

Photocredit. www.makeupvie.com

 

In summary: the new term is about to commence, your loan is about to drop, so let your inner voice rule and treat yo’ self.

In it together? A welcome to Professor Osborne

Manchester has a fascinating political history full of controversy and societal change. But how will Professor Osborne cope with the controversy around his appointment?

It has been two years now since the Conservative Party conference was last held in Manchester, and two years since I left my hometown of Gibraltar for the wet, semi-urban pastures of Fallowfield. The de facto North West was a key campaigning target at the time for the Tories (and indeed, continues to be), in large part due to the Devomanc and HS2 programs touted by the Conservative government, then spearheaded by former Prime Minister David Cameron and ex-chancellor George Osborne.

The week of the conference in 2015 happened to be my second week in Manchester, not long after fresher’s week. I had heard of Manchester’s political history, especially ‘on the left’ of things, and my broadly left-wing alignment was satiated as I would soon write a piece (a joint feature with fellow student Fergus Selsdon-Games) in the Mancunion on Engels’ ‘The Condition of the Working Class in England’ 170 years after its publication. But I had not expected the physical and provoking activism that Manchester witnessed when the Tories were ‘welcomed’ with a public display of political frustration of the highest order.

Part of me was taking this positively – we were told that political apathy was endemic, in particular among students, yet an estimated 60,000 people marched in defiance of authority and the status quo. That was appealing to me. But the other part of me was curious – why the frustration? Who exactly is ‘Tory scum’ referring to? Why are there effigies of David Cameron fornicating with swine? It did not take me an eternity to learn of one of the decisive factors for this level of discontentment: Austerity. And there was no bigger advocate of what became the default economic ideology of the UK government than George Osborne.

Fast-forward to September 2017 and, in the words of Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr, “plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose” (roughly “the more things change, the more things stay the same”). All of a sudden, Britain appears to be headed for a hard Brexit, but nobody is clear on what an EU pull-out will eventually entail. The socialist left is dramatically revitalised under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership of the Labour Party, but the government is still largely controlled by the Conservative Party. Jacob Rees-Mogg is now a potential option for leadership of the Tories, but he continues to live up to his reputation as the ‘‘Honourable Member for the 18th century’’. Most impressively, however, is that George Osborne is no longer Chancellor of the Exchequer, but he remains one of the most reviled politicians to discharge that responsibility in recent memory.

The former MP for Tatton will reportedly take up a sixth job this academic year when he lectures at the illustrious University of Manchester. His more pro-active platforms in the North West during his tenure have now either been proved to be ineffective or have been pushed to the back of the priority queue by order of an unconvinced (and judging by general election results, polling statistics, and cabinet infighting, an equally unconvincing Prime Minister) Theresa May. Of course, there is a certain reputational benefit to the university by recruiting an individual of the editor London Evening Standard’s stature. Such a divisive figure with such a destructive record in Greater Manchester might actually elevate the university’s profile (and hopefully that of the Northern Powerhouse too). While they ought to be credited for this coup, they cannot have envisaged the appointment to be controversy-free. The North West is a primary victim of the economic path pursued by Osborne and, as of now, the project to increase investment in Greater Manchester seems to have had minimal effect in comparison to the rise in food bank usage, child poverty and financial deprivation across the region. The socio-economic crisis that has deepened entrenched levels of inequality, more noticeably since the 2008 global recession damaged progress in all areas of society from health and social care, to policing and the tackling of crime.

In a city where Conservatives are set to receive another wave of civil protest for their upcoming autumn conference in October, it will be interesting to see how George Osborne engages with a student population that may not be terribly supportive of his record in government. One hopes that minds begin open, both on the part of George Osborne himself and the student body at large, and that strong and critical discussion is had in the spirit of inquiry that universities are based on, and the spirit of accountability that authority figures must be subject to. Osborne will not apologise for his unpopular direction of austerity and nor should anybody apologise for heavily criticising it either.  But if he embraces the passion of many politics students, listens to them, and engages with them, perhaps the aristocrat can have a worthwhile experience at the university. Students from Arthur Lewis building to Antwerp Mansion should take the opportunity while Professor Osborne is obliged to lend an ear in his new role.

Running is horrible but I couldn’t have graduated without it

I’m the first person to admit that running is horrible, hard, and painful. As anyone who’s ever had the pleasure of running with me will know, I can barely get my trainers on without complaining about running for a solid 10 minutes. And then I’ll complain about it during the run… and after.

Nevertheless, I continue to lace up my trainers, put in my headphones, and head out that door for a run a couple of times a week, as I have done for the past 5 years. And I love it. Because despite all this complaining, or arguably because of it, running is actually glorious.

When I started running five years ago I did it with the sole purpose of losing weight. Although that was just enough to push me out the front door, it wasn’t enough for me to actually enjoy the activity. Ever since I realised that running isn’t about burning off the calories from what you’ve eaten, or about making yourself fit into those endemic contemporary beauty norms, I discovered what running is really about.

Running is about a celebration of what your mind and body are capable of, at whatever level that may be. I’m nowhere near the best runner I know. I don’t run very long distances, I don’t go super fast, I don’t always keep to a consistent running schedule, and that’s fine. As the This Girl Can campaign reminds us, “No matter how slow you go, you’re lapping everyone on the couch”.

Yes, running is hard. Running for 30 minutes, 45 minutes, an hour without stopping, powered only by yourself, is bloody difficult. But it’s this challenge that makes running so rewarding. The determination that it takes to run to the end of your street, to run around that park, to run up that hill, to run that half marathon – that determination takes both physical and mental strength. With each run, you rise to that challenge, and you become stronger with each step.

I’ve been in a personal running slump over the summer and have only recently got back into it. As always, the first few times after a break are the worst. Your physical fitness levels are down (My legs are on fire, how is no one outside noticing that my legs are literally on fire.) and your mental stamina is in dire need of improvement (There is literally no way on this planet that I can keep running. I’m turning back, shuffling home, and spending the rest of the week watching Gilmore Girls.)

But yesterday I started to break through that wall. For just a small part of my run, the ground felt like it was working with me, not against me. I was admittedly running downhill for that part, but the point still stands. Those moments — when it feels like you are pushing the whole Earth backwards with each step — that’s when you can really become aware of your potential. This appreciation of your physical and mental strength is where running becomes such a powerful tool. Running is hard, so when you do run it’s a great reminder of how strong you are. And that reminder works wonders on mental health.

On a more pragmatic level, running simply provides a platform for de-stressing — the release of endorphins helps enormously. When I’m at my most stressed and my mind is set to overdrive with various pressures, running lets me switch off and focus only on the immediate challenge of running to the park and back.

If you have a pal who will run with you, that can be even better. Many a Tuesday evening has been spent running with friends at Run Wild Manchester, a society you can easily become a part of, blabbering their ears off about various problems and anxieties I’ve had. There’s just something about ranting while running that is so refreshing. You come back from a run reinvigorated and ready to tackle your problems with a clear head. After a shower and a snack, of course.

This article isn’t meant to shame anyone who doesn’t participate in the terrible and wonderful activity that is running. We all have different abilities. We all flourish in different areas. That’s part of what makes us humans great. I do hope, however, that I have been able to convince some of you that although yes, running is hard, every drop of sweat, every aching muscle is more than worth it for that well-earned glowing sense of empowerment.

Review: Rita, Sue and Bob Too

In 1982 Rita, Sue and Bob Too told it how it was. The voice of writer Andrea Dunbar showcased reality using sharp humour and an even sharper social commentary. Her presentation of an estate in 1970/80’s Yorkshire was controversial but on the whole was received with high acclaim.

Her voice has now been able to speak again. Octagon Theatre Bolton, Out of Joint and Royal Court Theatre has revived the 80s and for good reason. To encapsulate this play simply as two young girls having an affair with a married man would be an injustice.

Within the play itself, the older generation denounces Rita and Sue, using the dreaded label ‘slut’, and Bob repeatedly claims his innocence because his wife Michelle is boring in the bedroom. However, the audience is expertly guided through this tirade of opinion, left with a conclusion that is hard to face.

Rita and Sue are undeserving of the title ‘home-wreckers’ in the same way that Michelle’s lack of sexual prowess does not excuse her husband’s actions. Taj Atwal and Gemma Dobson bring a clever innocence to Rita and Sue which massively highlights the pair’s age and immaturity. Since the two are so compelling, Bob quickly becomes the villain.

He is almost likeable in his humour yet his unsavoury opinions make him an easily recognisable figure: the lying and self-righteous husband. Bob is made colourful by actor James Atherton and his ability to deliver outdated sexism with irritating entitlement. In fact, all three characters live up to their acclaim. When they appear together, the actors give a masterful performance of fast-talking crude humour while simultaneously pointing to where our sympathies should lie.

Scene transitions are deemed the perfect time to show off the epic music that goes hand in hand with the time period. Although parts of the choreography are a little stiff and lacking in spontaneity, this is made up for by the lip syncing which entertains audience members, causing some of them to bop along in their seats.  The explicit nature of the play may initially be received with some silence and the stiff English upper lip but nudity soon becomes a thing of delight. Rita and Sue, when they aren’t partaking in sex with Bob, provide captivatingly detailed expressions and perfectly timed commentary, bringing audience members to tears.

Relationship dynamics are handled with care. The tropes of unhappily married couples in this play are superbly faithful — if we turned back the clock that is. To see the brutal reality of marital arguments onstage in 2017 is something which could have easily lost the favour of a modern audience. However, Sally Bankes and David Walker’s hilarious portrayal of Sue’s mum and dad succeeds in revealing the attitudes of the older generation from this era.

The piece boils down to the fact that these girls rarely entertain the notion of a way out of the estate. They truly believe that Bob’s wife could not be luckier to have a husband, children and every outfit she could ever wish to wear. This proves to be perhaps the most false of their assumptions, alongside the hope that Bob has their best interests at heart.

Voluntourism harms communities: make a difference, stay at home

It’s enticing, I know, to be a holiday humanitarian. Helping villagers in Third World countries seems charitable enough to counteract the hedonism of lavish vacationing — and it should, if our work is meaningful.

At every Freshers’ Fair, a procession of pamphlet-pushing charity reps promote expeditions they promise help foreigners develop communities sustainably. Children smile welcomingly at us from their posters. There’s a £5,000 pound fee — but it’s a charity, it must be fine. So off we go, all professing the same noble causes of making “a difference/change/impact in [insert name of far-flung exotic country here].”

How these voluntourist expeditions really affect the communities who host us isn’t often questioned. The answer, of course, depends heavily upon each location’s political, economic, and ecological circumstances.

Voluntourism comes in two typical forms: building and enforcing infrastructure, and working in education.

Infrastructural voluntourism relies on the assumption that builders, plumbers, and engineers in developing countries are less qualified than their British equivalents. Each year, British expeditions export legions of school leavers with no experience in manual labour across the globe to construct schools and hospitals. Unfailingly, this puts local professionals out of work — and yet, is reported back in the UK as a humanitarian success.

The truth is, Chinese and Chilean construction workers can build their own schools. They are even better at building schools than liberal arts students from the University of Bradford. Our layman attempts at construction only waste time and local resources. Piles of mis-sawn planks of wood, bent nails, and pots of incorrectly mixed mortar are constant by-products of amateur manual labour.

East African Playgrounds, a charity founded by an English couple, is a regular at Manchester’s Fresher’s Fair. It offers to take students to Uganda to build slides, erect swings, and paint tires for local children to play with — which sounds reasonable at first. Children in shanty towns often resort to playing in dangerous areas, such as around dumpsters and amongst exposed wires people use to steal electricity from the grid.

Kampala, however, is already home to countless skilled labourers capable of designing and constructing playgrounds for their own children. The reason they don’t do it is because the structures would be dissembled and the parts stolen within 24 hours. The resources and labour required to maintain the playgrounds could be put to more pragmatic use elsewhere.

When the British found charities with a shallow understanding of the deep-rooted problems facing a specific country, they try to fix surface-level problems with infrastructural projects that are more symbolic than practical. From playgrounds in Uganda, to goat sheds in Tanzania, and school outbuildings in China — they make for a pretty picture but, frankly, are rather pointless.

It would be more productive if we all stayed at home. We could take the money we would have spent on flights, visas, and expedition costs (totalling $2 billion annually), and donate it to regional, grassroots organisations that only employ local workers.

Educational expeditions are another popular branch of voluntourism. Organisations such as Project Trust, an official partner of the University of Manchester, offer students opportunities to teach English in rural communities in Cambodia, Guyana, and Honduras for one year. It’s impossible to argue that there are any benefits to these expeditions. Village children in the countryside of Yunnan province, China, are unlikely to ever leave Yunnan, and aside from the very restricted openings in tourism in the mountains, they will never apply for a job where one year’s worth of rudimentary English will ever benefit them. It’s arrogant of British charities to presume that it would.

You’ll also be encouraged by the university to go on expeditions to developing countries to educate locals about infrastructure and sustainable development. For this task, we are uniquely unqualified. Raleigh International, a charity funded by the British government, exports student volunteers to instruct other countries on specialist subjects after only five days of training. This is far from enough to transform a fresher who gets defeated by broken bathroom doors at Antwerp Mansion into an authority on infrastructural development. They’re only trained in the absolute basics.

Even so, The Mancunion still endeavours to run headlines about Raleigh International such as “Manchester student to make an impact in Nepal,” even though the student is only travelling there for three months to “[educate] rural communities on the benefits of clean water, sanitation and hygiene.”

The only beneficiary of any of these programs is the British volunteer. In that respect, I can’t fault them. They provide exactly what they market: exercises in character and CV development in tropical locations straight out of an Instagrammer’s wet dreams. Charities can market ‘life-changing experiences’ all they like. Living down in the dirt in a developing country is an excellent way to broaden students’ perspectives, and appreciate the privileges they experience in the UK. It’s inaccurate, though, to propose these expeditions are beneficial to their host countries whatsoever.

Freshers’ stall representatives will assure you that holiday humanitarianism is transformative to third world countries: “We make an impact! They need us!”

Engaging in voluntourism is another form of jingoism. It may injure our egos to think it, but they don’t need us. There are no Djiboutians in distress waiting for us to rescue them from the heart of darkness. The only people we please are ourselves.

Angela Rayner: hard Brexit cannot be allowed to undercut universities

“Universities and students cannot be sacrificed to a disastrous Brexit designed to appease hard-line Tory backbenchers”, Shadow Education Secretary and Ashton-under-Lyne MP Angela Rayner told The Mancunion.

The Shadow Education Secretary said that the three million EU nationals living in the UK had “been treated as bargaining chips”, alluding to the government’s decision to not unilaterally guarantee their rights until the reciprocal rights of British expats overseas have been guaranteed.

Speaking to The Mancunion, Angela Rayner suggested that “Labour’s [Brexit] plans will provide maximum certainty to students and university staff.”

Explaining her view, she said: “Since July 2016, Labour has urged the Government to guarantee the rights of the three million EU nationals in the UK unilaterally, to provide people who have made their lives here with the certainty they need and deserve. Instead, over a year on from the referendum, they are still unsure of what lies ahead for them.”

“Many of them are the researchers, academics and graduates of UK universities who have enriched our higher education sector and helped to make it the world leader that it is. Instead, they have been treated as bargaining chips and 100 EU nationals faced when they received receiving erroneous letters from the Home Office threatening deportation.”

“Our universities cannot lose out on expertise because of uncertainty”, Rayner argued, emphasising the “need to assure the EU citizens who come to study and work in our universities that they are welcome and valued and will continue to be.”

Outlining Labour’s Brexit strategy, the Ashton-under-Lyne MP suggested that Labour’s “proposals for a transitional deal stand in sharp contrast to the Government’s plans, which would see us crashing out of the single market and customs union in March 2017, leaving universities to adapt to two new regimes in quick succession.”

The comments come after Shadow Brexit Secretary, Keir Starmer MP, made a significant policy announcement, writing in The Observer that “Labour would seek a transitional deal that maintains the same basic terms that we currently enjoy with the EU.”

Explaining why this would be beneficial for UK universities and students, the Shadow Education Secretary said: “This would mean that our universities only have to adapt to one new regime and have longer time to do it. Universities plan on a multi-year basis, as do students. A student beginning university this year needs to know if they will have the right, for example, to carry out a year abroad in an EU27 country. They need the time to look forward and make plans with certainty.”

Jawad Khan, second year Politics, Philosophy, and Economics student at The University of Manchester, and Labour party member said: “The Labour Party accepts the result of the referendum but rejects the idea that we have to sacrifice living standards, good relations with Europe or the future of those currently in education because of this”.

The Labour Party activist who was a council candidate in 2016 for Gomersal and Liversedge described the current government’s handling of Brexit as “disastrous”, suggesting that “a Labour government will immediately guarantee the rights of EU nationals residing in Britain, which includes students at the University of Manchester.”

He said: “Labour’s last manifesto promised to continue working with our friends and partners in Europe by continuing our role in schemes such as Erasmus and Horizon 2020 as well as agencies such as Euratom and Europol”, suggesting that “only a Labour Government can provide a Brexit deal with is cooperative rather than combative.”

Angela Rayner was also clear that “Labour respects the result of the referendum.”

However, she said Labour “reject the view of many hard line Tories of a Brexit at any cost”, adding that “the majority voted to get out: no one voted to lose out and our universities need reassurance that they will be supported to continue to lead in education, research and innovation.”

She argued that “we should be working to get a Brexit deal that puts jobs and the economy first, and our research and development economy is key to this.”

“The hard Brexit that this Government is pursuing cannot be allowed to undercut our universities and thwart the opportunities for students to study and work in the EU”, argued Rayner, adding that “Labour respects the result of the referendum but reject the view of many hard line Tories of a Brexit at any cost.”

 

Ninety-seven per cent of international students leave the UK after university

Immigration numbers may be far lower than expected after the UK border force reported that ninety-seven percent of international students migrate to other countries after completing their education.

Following years of news reports claiming that many international students remained in the UK illegally without visas, The Telegraph reported that exit checks — introduced last year — indicate that far fewer students are staying in the UK than originally thought.

As a result, the official net migration figure — currently standing around 240,000 — could also be far lower than previously thought.

The Guardian reported that Whitehall sources released these figures after “the Home Office unveiled separate plans to ask migration experts to examine the impact of international students on the job market”.

Amber Rudd, the Home Secretary, claimed on behalf of the government that they wanted to “keep the door open to genuine students but would crack down on abuse of visas by poor-quality institutions”.

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) will be questioned on the matter and be pushed to investigate whether non-EU students have a significant impact on the working forces and the economy of the UK.

MAC will also be inspecting the influence of rising tuition fees and the average spending of international students, and whether that impacts local and national economic growth.

After the USA, the UK is the most popular destination for international education, with reports showing a six per cent increase in applications for Russell group universities.

The Guardian has reported that “visa applications sponsored by universities are 17% higher than they were in 2010”.

The director of the Russell Group, Tim Bradshaw, believes this is a step forward for the UK as it will relieve pressure on international students who may have been wrongly accused of illegal immigration; hopefully creating a more “diverse learning environment”.

As reported in The Mancunion earlier this year, “the effects of Brexit on UK businesses are already becoming apparent, after research done by LinkedIn revealed that the number of EU graduates looking for jobs in the UK fell by 18 per cent between May and July 2016.”

Speaking to The Guardian, Alister Jarvis, the chief executive of Universities UK, thought that the examination by MAC will make us “appreciate the net benefits of international students” and that “this is an opportunity to build on the considerable evidence that shows that international students have a very positive impact on UK economy”.

“International students also enrich our campuses and the experience of UK students, culturally. Many return home having built strong professional relationships and personal links that provide long-term soft-power benefits to the UK”.

It’s argued that the reputation of UK universities may be at risk from Brexit, and international students are reportedly struggling for reasons to remain in the country after Brexit, amid claims that their stays are illegal.

However, the results of MAC could force the government to alter their position somewhat and take into account the importance of international students to the UK’s economy.

Freshers defy stereotypes and target academic success over partying

71 per cent of incoming students are most looking forward to achieving academic success at university, while only 20 per cent are most looking forward to going out and partying, research suggests.

Commissioned on behalf of Endsleigh Insurance, new research from the NUS has indicated what freshers are looking forward to most about leaving home for the first time.

Academic success was cited as the main concern for a third of freshers (33 per cent) with exams and academic deadlines also on students’ minds.

Independence was a common theme with 45 per cent stating that gaining more independence was a key priority, while 23 per cent of students see living away from home as the main benefit of going to university.

Julia Alpan, Head of Marketing, Endsleigh Insurance, said:

“With uni just around the corner, thoughts of student life are front of mind for many young people. Despite having a reputation for fun, we wanted to demonstrate that most students are more focused on their studies than on over-indulging in the potential excesses of university life. Students deserve credit for the hard work and dedication that goes into attaining degrees.”

Alpan also reminded young people and their parents to chat about money management before heading off to university, after the survey found that 40 per cent of students are concerned about this issue, with a 25 per cent of those surveyed saying they spent their student loan instalment within a month.

She added: “Before enjoying that feeling of freedom, we encourage parents to help their children think about setting a budget, opening a good student account, and getting any gadget and contents insurance in place so that they can focus on their studies.”

In a Mumsnet post, Endsleigh asked parents what they were most looking forward to once their children had moved out, with taking back control of the household and having a smaller laundry pile or a cleaner house top of mind.

While students look forward to attending lectures and spending time in the library, parents are also looking forward to quality time together as a couple and having the chance to rekindle some child-free romance.

Some standout comments from the sponsored Mumsnet post include:

“I’m looking forward to being able to get into the bathroom! My ds (darling son) spends soooo long in there and at such odd times”

“Not having to sit with crossed legs while waiting for my daughter to vacate the bathroom when she is primping for a night out!!”

“I’m also looking forward to buying a 6 pack of Hula Hoops and there actually being a pack left when I go to get one the next day.”

“Being able to have a jar of Nutella for more than a couple of days…”

“I’m looking forward to when going to the loo will not be a game of “Floor and Toilet Bowl Jeopardy”, not finding squirreled away apple cores and crisp packets down the side of the sofa and not having to catering for an army of hollow legged gannets.”