In keeping with the political atmosphere of the Students’ Union elections, Bella Jewell explores Manchester’s history of left-wing politics in this instalment of Artefact of the Week, looking to the desk on which Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels formulated the socio-economical theory Marxism

Eva Gerretsen explores the work of Politics and International Relations student Emmanuel Anie-Akwetey, whose photographs are a dip in a pool of colour, a journey through the city you thought you knew

Matthew Gold argues that the apathy in the press towards the recent assault on Jeremy Corbyn represents the poisonous attitude towards politicians perpetuated by the press.

Nimo Omer deplores the lack of encouragement for BME groups to enter into political circles at University

Nimo Omer discusses the prevalence of right-wing groups and how important it is to take them seriously.

George Walker argues ‘The Independent Group’ represents a backwards step for progressive politics and the electoral fight against the failing Conservative party, a by-election should be called immediately.

Jake Dunn examines the new force in Spanish politics: VOX, a far-right party which has 11% of the national vote share

George Walker analyses international backing of Juan Guaido as interim president of Venezuela is deeply undemocratic and potentially dangerous

Alexander Candlin looks at the potential of a no-deal Brexit, and asks whether MPs voting against it as an option has damaged the UK’s bargaining position.

Amelia Kent explores the impact that the Brexit deal might have on environmental legislation

Jacob Dunn looks at the rise of Italian politician Matteo Salvini from obscure political outsider to the new flag bearer of Europe’s populist far right

Georgia Wiltshire interviews UoM graduate Hattie Andrews, founder of The Politics Project, about encouraging young poeple to be politically engaged and how digital technology connects politicians with the classroom

Esmee Samsworth takes a look at the Oxford English Dictionary Word of the Year: Toxic, and what the choice says about 2018.

The Mayor’s intervention comes as the policy continues to have serious effects for the North of England

Lily Martin explores behind the scenes with The Blinders, reviewing their live performance at Academy 2 and chatting to the band about going on tour

Dr John Broderick speaks to us about the importance of scientists in policymaking, and advocating for environmental policies at a Conservative conference

This year’s main speaker at the inaugural Fanaroff Lecture was Dr Rob Adam, the Project Director of the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) in South Africa and former anti-Apartheid activist.

Leah Marlow explores the case of Brett Kavanaugh and how the defence of his behaviour by other American politicians the misogyny that prevails in American politics under the Trump administration.

Israel’s shift to the right and far-right come with alarming consequences for the Palestinian-Israeli peace process

After reading James Weldon Johnson’s 1912 book, Margherita Concina gives her thoughts on race and politics