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Alexandra Baynes

Alexandra Baynes

Head Editor of Opinion Section. Radio Host on Fuse FM. Twitter: @lexiebayness

Nominations for Students’ Union Awards 2024 now open

Nominations for Students’ Union Awards 2024 now open

Students can nominate themselves or others for the awards, which fall into four separate categories, with each award having its own awards night
Memories of the game: A look back at favourite sporting moments

Memories of the game: A look back at favourite sporting moments

Whether it be on the world stage or during adolescence, there has been one sporting moment that has stuck with everyone. Explore the emotional and accelerating seconds that remain with our team to this day
Margarita Month at Zouk: All style, less substance

Margarita Month at Zouk: All style, less substance

Zouk is offering a trio of Margaritas this February to celebrate Margarita Month; yet it seems like all the thought was put into presentation, and less into the drink itself
International Women’s Day book guide: Celebrating feminists and feminism

International Women’s Day book guide: Celebrating feminists and feminism

Women’s writing should be spotlighted and celebrated all year round, but in the lead up to International Women’s Day, there’s no time like the present so we recommend some of our favourite books
Government’s Freedom of Speech legislation consulted at Union Assembly

Government’s Freedom of Speech legislation consulted at Union Assembly

Students were consulted on the Higher Education Freedom of Speech Act and how it affects Students’ Union and students at the Union Assembly
University of Manchester secures Disability Confident Leader status

University of Manchester secures Disability Confident Leader status

Successful accreditation of the award requires organisations to demonstrate their commitment to disability equality
Women’s ‘invisible labour’ is the backbone of Christmas

Women’s ‘invisible labour’ is the backbone of Christmas

All of the work women put into the festive season goes underappreciated, underacknowledged and unpaid; I’m fed up with it
Greater Manchester Combined Authority opens consultation on its new Good Landlord Charter

Greater Manchester Combined Authority opens consultation on its new Good Landlord Charter

The Charter aims to improve the standard of renting and hold landlords to account, in both the private and social renting sectors
The End We Start From review: Quietly moving, powerfully provocative

The End We Start From review: Quietly moving, powerfully provocative

Mahalia Belo’s depiction of an ecological crisis is grimly realistic but Jodie Comer’s portrayal of the challenges of womanhood steals the show
We’re still in a cost of living crisis. Where’s our £170 this year?

We’re still in a cost of living crisis. Where’s our £170 this year?

The University’s forgotten about the cost of living crisis, and has left students grappling in the same tough financial circumstances; this year, with a £170-shaped hole in their pockets
University launches new BA degree in Creative and Cultural Industries

University launches new BA degree in Creative and Cultural Industries

The BA in Creative and Cultural Industries, for students interested in the two sectors, will be starting in September 2024
Manchester selected as European Capital of Cycling 2024

Manchester selected as European Capital of Cycling 2024

Manchester has won a bid to be ACES European Capital of Cycling, despite being ranked the fourth worst UK city for cycling two months prior
Iconic Old Quad to be remodelled

Iconic Old Quad to be remodelled

The University has revealed plans to remodel the Old Quad area ahead of its bicentenary next year
Support for gender diverse students: Gender Expression Fund and option to add pronouns on Microsoft 365

Support for gender diverse students: Gender Expression Fund and option to add pronouns on Microsoft 365

Students can access a Gender Expression Fund, and add their pronouns on Microsoft 365, in two separate announcements which both aim to support gender diverse students
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes review – Dystopia as a hard-hitting critique of the modern world

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes review – Dystopia as a hard-hitting critique of the modern world

It isn’t what’s on the big screen which makes the most powerful impression; it’s the film’s grim use of dystopia and its trivialisation of political violence
How do we make Reclaim the Night more than just a “white women’s march”? In conversation with the Feminist Collective

How do we make Reclaim the Night more than just a “white women’s march”? In conversation with the Feminist Collective

The Feminist Collective discuss the effectiveness of Reclaim the Night campaign, and the changes they hope to see to make it more inclusive and intersectional
EXCLUSIVE DJ Billy interview: the star at the centre of every student’s favourite Friday night

EXCLUSIVE DJ Billy interview: the star at the centre of every student’s favourite Friday night

In DJ Billy’s “first and only” interview, The Mancunion sat down with the icon of a Friday night at The Vic and unearthed a series of revelations: ranging from DJ Billy’s humble rise to fame, his connections to Justin Bieber, and his future at The Vic
A Christmas list for the girliepops

A Christmas list for the girliepops

Whether you’re struggling with Christmas gift ideas for friends or family, or looking for things to add to your own wish list, here is a compilation of the best Fashion & Beauty recommendations this season
Students in halls restricted from drying clothes in their flats

Students in halls restricted from drying clothes in their flats

Concerns include the fire risk of clothes driers which obstruct passageways and the risk of mould increased by moisture and poor air circulation
What on earth is going on in the House of Commons?

What on earth is going on in the House of Commons?

Rishi Sunak’s Cabinet is like a reality TV episode; there’s constant shocks, surprises, and strains. It’s entertaining, but there’s a deeper issue of trust underlying the show