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Month: October 2015

Women are empowered by breaking the system

Written by Lucy Menage on . Posted in News.

On Thursday, a controversial debate hosted by Manchester Debating Union examined whether women are actually empowered by breaking the system, not succeeding in it.

The proceedings began with the proposition’s first speaker BBC’s Jo Fidgen. Fidgen opened the debate by arguing that only exceptional women can succeed in the system and that it’s the average woman that faces the big barriers. Fidgen brought up the fact that women are both less likely to ask for a pay rise and achieve it as an example of this.

This was supported by Katie Grant, news columnist and reporter for The Independent, who highlighted the tiny proportion of women who actually are in positions of power in comparison to men. Both women insisted the system needed to be broken to gain real change.

Former Conservative MP Edwina Currie, and Dr. Francesca Gains, Head of Politics at the University of Manchester, formed a fierce opposition. Gains used the example of the sex discrimination act in 1975 to argue that women need to gain positions of power to have the ability to challenge the system and that this cannot be achieved from the outside.

After declaring she was not a feminist, Currie added to this by placing heavy emphasis on not using the oppression of women as an excuse for failure. Currie also highlighted several times the need for women to compete with men and succeed as individuals within the system.

A question and answer session followed, highlighting issues such as women in the workplace and whether stating that there are barriers to women might, in fact, subconsciously influence women not to take chances to succeed. Summary speeches followed where each side concisely summarised their main arguments.

The verdict yielded a sweeping victory of 67 per cent for the proposition, with the opposition trailing at 25 per cent and 7 per cent abstaining. Interestingly this verdict is extremely different to the vote taken before the debate began, which showed 45 per cent abstaining, 16 per cent opposing and 39 per cent agreeing with the proposition.

Council fails in Ark court bid

Written by Daniel Saville on . Posted in News.

A judge has thrown out legal proceedings against members of ‘the Ark’ homeless shelter, and called the Council’s pursuit of a conviction “misconceived and inappropriate.”

Manchester City Council issued proceedings against seven individuals for breaching city centre and possession orders over land occupied by the Ark homeless shelter.

Last week a judge granted Manchester Metropolitan University an order giving them permission to remove the camp, which they claim is on their property. On the 11th of September the camp was handed a civil eviction notice for Friday the 18th, and the residents were granted six days to protest the eviction.

The Council threatened them with two years in prison or a £5,000 fine for breaching a city-wide injunction which outlaws pitching tents in protest of the treatment of the homeless.

On Wednesday the case went to Manchester Civil Justice Centre for a final decision, but the legal bid was thrown out by a judge. The court decided that the rough sleepers and protesters would not be removed from their location.

Judge Allan Gore said the way the Council had presented its case was “fundamentally defective.” Dismissing the Council’s case, he said: “There is no dates, descriptions of behaviour or identification of which allegations are made against which defendant.

“That is a fundamentally misconceived and inappropriate way to advance criminal proceedings, where the Council seeks that the court orders to commit people to prison.”

Judge Gore also stated that the Council couldn’t even prove that some of the defendants had ever seen the injunction.

The application was then struck out and it was made clear that the Council must cover the defendants’ legal costs, which could reach thousands.

Solicitor Ben Taylor, acting on behalf of three of the defendants in the case, spoke to Manchester Evening News and warned that the Council could still take action against those breaching the order again.

“The application to commit was dismissed on procedural grounds and my clients are content with the outcome of today’s hearing. However the injunction remains in force, which means that the Council are still able to apply to commit them to prison again.”

Many in the camp still fear further legal action. Ryan McFee, the creator of the Ark, expressed fears today of a slow dissection of the camp.

“The bit of land that they tried to push a possession order through over there was covering this bit of land as well but what they’re trying to do is block us off little bits at a time and I’ve got a video of a gentleman who came to do an estimate on a permanent fence here. They’re going to put a permanent fence down near the Harris Centre now.”

He went on to say he worried another possession order would be lodged.

“We’re expecting them to come back at us, they’re going to sit back and gather more evidence so they can get another case against us, but they will just keep making a mockery of themselves.”

Sussex’s student newspaper seized by union

Written by Katie Buckingham on . Posted in News.

On Tuesday 29th September 2015, the University of Sussex Students’ Union seized the most recent issue of The Badger, their student newspaper, and allegedly suspended its editor, Paul Millar, after a story that was not approved by a Students’ Union representative was printed anyway.

The union’s issue with The Badger concerned a controversial story about a university student; a source at The Badger told The Mancunion that the union had demanded the name of the student to be printed and that the editor had refused, instead choosing to protect his source. The USSU has denied that this is the case and insists that the union did not ask for the student’s name to be printed.

According to our source, when The Badger decided to print the issue, arguing that there was no legal grounding to the union’s demands, newspapers were then confiscated before they could be circulated. However, a representative from the USSU told the Mancunion that this was not the case and that the next edition of the paper has gone to print as normal. Students also distributed some hard copies of the paper so “any hard copies were confiscated before they could be circulated” is also not accurate.

A statement from the Students’ Union said: “Each issue of The Badger has to be signed off by a Students’ Union representative before it is sent to print to ensure it complies with relevant legislation and to avoid the threat of litigation.”

Allegedly, the union’s issue was that “[the] process had not been followed for the most recent issue. The Badger was asked to not distribute the paper until it had been signed off in the correct way.”

The Badger’s response to the union’s actions was shown through their statement released on Tuesday, saying that “the Students’ Union did not cite any clear or specific legal reasons for blocking publication,” and furthermore, that “The Badger has received independent legal advice, saying all content was legally sound.”

A source at The Badger argued that actions taken showed the particularly authoritarian nature of USSU and the lack of a culture of free speech at their university.

The Badger stated to the Brighton and Hove News: “We are writers. We write about arts, sports, science and our opinions. We report news. We don’t want to argue with the union. We just want to write. The students of Sussex deserve to have an editorially independent newspaper.”

The USSU spokesperson added that: “The Students’ Union has not threatened to sack the Editor and did not demand the name of a student and/or source be printed. The paper should not have been printed or distributed, until it had been signed off in the correct way.”

Debate Mate: ‘empowering the youth of today, creating the leaders of tomorrow’

Written by Will Chambers on . Posted in Features.

Debate Mate is a charity which aims to tackle educational disadvantage in some of Britain’s most deprived communities. It does this by recruiting, training and placing university students to run extra-curricular debate workshops in schools with above average numbers of children on Free School Meals. Our programmes raise speaking and listening attainment, as well as improving a range of high order thinking skills and non-cognitive abilities such as confidence, teamwork and leadership.

In doing so, it addresses the widening skills gap between education and employment, whilst raising aspirations and helping students to make informed post-18 choices. Because we believe that every child deserves equal access to a top education, Debate Mate supports the youth of today to find their voice so that they can become the leaders of tomorrow.

The UK has one of the lowest rates of social mobility amongst OECD countries. This means that children growing up in poverty are less likely to achieve in school, to attend university, and to find productive employment as adults. By the age of seven, children growing up in poverty—those who are eligible for Free School Meals—are more than twice as likely as their better-off peers to be behind on expected reading levels. Over 60 percent of these children will fail to achieve five good GCSEs, which significantly increases their chances of becoming unemployed upon leaving school.

Growing up in poverty affects not only children’s prospects but also their aspirations. One in four young people from poor homes believe that few or none of their career goals are achievable, compared to only seven percent of those who are not living in poverty. At Debate Mate, we believe that an important part of tackling social immobility is raising students’ aspirations by exposing them to positive role models, helping them gain confidence, and motivating them to fulfil their potential.

My name is Will Chambers and I studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics at the University of Manchester and now work as the Programme Director at Debate Mate for the Manchester region. Whilst at university I taught a club for an hour a week over my three years of studying. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and found that it helped me both academically and personally. It was a privilege to see the transformation in the students I mentored, who went from timid pupils to articulate and active citizens with a desire to engender dramatic social and political change.

As I went to a state school without a debating club, I had no experience of formal debating prior to university. But Debate Mate weren’t necessarily looking for people with experience of debating, as their programme was more about using the skills taught through debating as a vehicle for social mobility. Many of the other people I mentored alongside studied science subjects, and often proved to be as good if not better mentors.

The reason the programme is so effective is it provides a range of mentors from different backgrounds to act as inspirational role models for the diverse range of young people we work with. Many of the students are inspired to go on and study a variety of higher education subjects or enter a range of professions, and the programme provides them with the communication skills necessary to do so. At the same time the mentor gives them an insight into university life, which many will not have had exposure to previously.

The core programme lasts for 14 weeks, all of which coincide with university term time. The organisation pays for travel and also a food budget for the young people attending the club. On top of this they pay the mentor £20 per session, and up to £50 to attend competitions between schools, which was a welcome top up when my student loan was running out!

When the programme ended just before the exam season at university I was sad to see my students go, but was pleased to find out Debate Mate also offer multiple summer schemes. In my first summer of university I went on a trip teaching debating in Nepal, and on my second I travelled to Rwanda to teach student there. As someone who had never been outside Europe these were fantastic experiences from which I learnt almost as much as I did from my university course!

If you are interested in signing up to the core programme in Manchester please register your interest at debatemate.com/mentors. Training and assessment workshops will take place at the University on three evenings and one afternoon on the week of the 5th of October. They will last for around 3 hours each, and you can choose which one you want to attend. After this we will place you at a school in the local area, give you our curriculum, and you can look forward to that one hour a week where you get first-hand experience of changing young people’s lives.

If you have any questions please email me at [email protected]. Thanks for reading this piece and I look forward to meeting you!

Manchester medic introduces Corbyn at Labour Conference

Written by Beth Adams on . Posted in News.

This week Brighton Centre hosted the Labour Party Conference, the first with newly-elected leader Jeremy Corbyn in charge. Corbyn’s much-anticipated speech to conference took place on Tuesday and first-year Manchester student Rohi Malik was chosen to introduce him in front of the 4,500 members.

Rohi grew up in Corbyn’s London constituency of Islington North and has seen first-hand his work as a local MP. She said, “we have always seen how committed and honest he is, how hard he fights for the things he believes in and stands up for the people of Islington North.”

Rohi began working on Corbyn’s bid for Labour leadership over the summer and said that “to have any part in that was amazing.”

Speaking to The Mancunion on Wednesday she still couldn’t believe it had happened and said it was “terrifying, one of the scariest things I’ve ever done.” But Rohi also said it was incredible to be a part of something she believes in so strongly.

Her speech to Conference touched on why she believes in the Labour Party. Her father was a political prisoner in Pakistan who sought asylum in the UK, trained as a doctor and has been working in the NHS for the last 25 years. Her father was also the inspiration behind the decision to study Medicine at the University of Manchester, which she started only this week.

Speaking about why she thinks Jeremy Corbyn has gained so much support and won the leadership contest so decisively, Rohi said it was because he provided a clear alternative. “People wanted change after the election and Jeremy offered them a real alternative and a different approach,” something he certainly will be doing after his speech spoke of “challenging austerity, creating a kinder politics and a caring society.”

As Conference ends, Rohi will begin studying Medicine in earnest and the country will wait to see how Corbyn’s Labour Party will perform in the House of Commons over the coming months.

England vs Australia: The preview

Written by Toby Webb on . Posted in Sport, Uncategorised.

You would have had to have been brave, or Welsh, to predict that England would lose to Wales in their second match of the Rugby World Cup. However, with the tournament on the line, the team must make every attempt to erase the memory of Saturday’s soul-destroying defeat. The perfect tonic would surely be a win against Australia.

Undoubtedly, this will be one of the biggest England-Australia clashes in their histories, bringing to memory the belligerent and gritty English win at the 2007 World Cup and the drama and ecstasy of the 2003 World Cup final.

Are we in for another Wilkinson-esque drop goal finale from the current fly-half Owen Farrell?

Drawing on these previous World Cup successes, as well as home advantage, will be obvious sources of motivation for the team.

In terms of team selection, injuries as well as performances will result in an altered line-up. It is highly speculated that Jonathan Joseph will return at outside centre, replacing the bulldozer Sam Burgess. Meanwhile, Owen Farrell will retain his position at fly-half after a perfectly executed game against Wales, scoring five out of five penalties, a drop goal, and a conversion.

Moreover, injuries to Courtney Lawes and Billy Vunipola will result in their replacement, likely by Joe Launchbury and Ben Morgan. Scrum-half Ben Youngs will have his fitness assessed later in the week. The energy he provides, if fit, will certainly be important in achieving victory; he will be replaced by Richard Wigglesworth if not.

The probable team to play Australia:

While Burgess was selected last week to neutralise the mighty Jamie Roberts, the need to win has led Joseph, a try-scoring threat with pace and trickery, to be included. This change also allows Brad Barritt to move back to inside centre, his favoured position.

If Joseph is selected ahead of Burgess, it will be the 18th different centre partnership during the Lancaster reign. While it could result in the victory England require, Lancaster’s huge indecision over selection since becoming head coach is already being questioned. Injuries are a part of sport and must be accommodated for; yet, it is fair to say that Lancaster is still unsure of his ideal 1st XV.

With the number 8 position, England are blessed with several high quality players. The loss of Vunipola, a powerful player who continually breaks the gain-line, is easily counteracted by dynamism and scrum-control offered by Ben Morgan.

The Australian team have had the luxury of easy opposition in their opening two matches. Although a slightly laboured performance, they came through comfortably against Fiji 28-13 in the opening match. Their latest match against Uruguay was a try-fest, ending with the score 65-3.

The Australian coach Michael Cheika made 14 changes to the team for the Uruguay game. This will make England’s task all the more formidable, because the Australian team for Saturday will be composed of fully-rested players.

The probable Australia team to play England:

Australia went into the World Cup as one of the favourites for the tournament, particularly on the back of an impressive victory against New Zealand. Full-back Israel Folau is a real threat to England, his prowess under the high ball as well as his speed will present a big problem.

Furthermore, the Aussie back-row of Hooper and Pocock are in great form, the latter scoring twice against Fiji. Both are incredibly mobile and behave like fiends around the breakdown, constantly disrupting the opposition’s flow and making turn-overs. Australia’s chances will depend a lot on their performances.

Form would suggest Australia will be successful on Saturday. However, the last two matches between the teams at Twickenham have resulted in victories for the home team.

How can England beat Australia?

– Scrums: England’s scrum was superb against Wales. Penalties resulting from scrums contributed hugely to England’s accumulation of points. With Farrell’s goal-kicking accuracy, scrum domination, and resultant penalties (Australia conceded 15 against Uruguay), this could be an effective way to build a score.

– Pace: England’s back 3 are rapid. Against Wales, when England got quick balls down the back-line, with players running onto the ball with pace, they scored. A blend of Farrell’s territorial kicking and the raw pace of the back will get the Aussies on the back foot and, hopefully, result in points.

– Securing the ruck: Hooper and Pocock have the ability to seriously disrupt England’s ruck, counter-rucking and turning the ball over. Maintaining possession will be imperative to England being successful on Saturday.

Support Your Breasts

Written by Emily Earle on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

Breast Cancer is the most common cancer in the UK. Every year over 55,000 people are diagnosed with the disease—the equivalent of a diagnosis once every 10 minutes. 1 in 8 women will contract breast cancer within their lifetime, with just over 12,000 people dying from the disease every year.

Whether or not you have been personally affected by breast cancer, October brings a great opportunity to raise awareness of the disease. Breast Cancer Awareness Month raises funds to provide specialist nurses, local services, and a vital emotional support network to those who need it.

Every year, a handful of designers use their creative genius to launch products aimed at raising funds for the charity. Renowned British designer Stella McCartney is to launch her second collection of lingerie this year to support the cause.

Following the success of last year’s range, McCartney has designed a beautiful, feminine collection with a strong underlying message. Not only does her collection look beautiful and fit well, it serves as a healthy reminder to remain vigilant of the disease, no matter your age.

Model of the moment Cara Delevigne is the face of the new campaign. She was chosen by McCartney to represent the younger generation and to push the message of prevention as the most positive approach.

The designer has created the Aliana Playing Range: A balconette bra, soft cup, and a bikini brief in the same shade of hot pink. A percentage of profits from the range will be donated to three breast cancer awareness charities: The Linda McCartney Centre in Liverpool, The National Breast Cancer Foundation U.S., and The National Breast Cancer Foundation Australia.

As part of the range, McCartney will launch her first double mastectomy bra. The Louise Listening bra is designed to reduce discomfort during the healing that is experienced post-surgery. The design takes its name from McCartney’s late mother, who died from the disease in 1998. All sales from the style will be donated to the London-based charity Hello Beautiful Foundation.

The range is available to buy now from McCartney’s website, as well as a handful of other retailers. Support your breasts—click here to do your part this month by supporting an incredible charity, and look great while doing it!