Issue 47
Monday November 21st 2011
Find CUB Magazine inside this issue
Time for Plan B Do poppies glorify war? Professor Simon Mohun tells QMessenger why the government is wrong Page 6
Sign of remembrance or a totem for warmongers? Page 7
CUB's Eye The Photointerview. Inside Cub pages 6 and 7
The Newspaper of Queen Mary Students’ Union
Boris offends at Mayor's Question Time
River beast blamed for vanished birds Lara Lavattiata
Boris Johnson angered protesters when he claimed to support free protest.
Kaamil Ahmed Boris Johnson angered protesters when he said that students who want to protest should be free to do so at Mayor’s Question Time last week. Johnson was responding to a question about whether policing in the future should always be as robust as it was last week.
“I want all demos to be trusted people,” said the heckler. “I don’t to be peaceful,” said the Mayor. care if you call me a crusty. I’m “Everyone has a right to protest in happy to be one.” The flustered Mayor respondLondon.” That angered protesters from ed with humour, saying he was a Occupy London who had been in ‘crusty’ as well. “What I don’t understand about the crowd and were angry about these people who are against capihis stance towards them. “I think it’s a complete and utter talism is that we’ve tried the alterfarce that you say we have a right native,” said Johnson. “We tried to protest when you are silencing Communism in Russia, it wasn’t a
Image by (via Bethia Stone Image by BackBoris2012 Flickr CC)
great success. I honestly think they are too young to remember Communism.” Johnson had earlier applauded a protester who shouted: “I object, I object, this democracy does not work. They do not serve us, they are unwilling, unable, and completely inept. You don’t have to listen to this council.”
Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre is "Rolls Royce" ect: “Making a civilised society in this country depends on this kind of activity, so well done. I hope the project Queen Mary’s Legal Advice Centre goes from strength to strength, and if (LAC) is one of the best around ac- I am still in office, to come back and cording to a leading lawyer who spoke celebrate your tenth birthday.” “The Centre has had such a successat the celebration of the centre’s fifth ful five years and it was an honour birthday earlier this month. Dominic Grieve QC MP, who is a for the Attorney General to celebrate lead minister of pro bono work within with us,” said Pinborough. “There is England and Wales, described LAC as still so much for us to do and achieve a “Rolls Royce operation supported by but we’re excited at the prospect of taking the Centre forward in new and City law firms.” In his speech Grieve, the Attorney innovative ways.” The student-led service provides General, praised Julie Pinborough - who set up the firm in 2006 - on free legal advice to members of the the work she has done with the proj- public, students and College staff. Su-
Kaamil Ahmed
pervised by leading City lawyers, the the service to anyone.” Within the last year the LAC was LAC helps people who cannot afford costly legal fees and equips law stu- the Finalist for the Lawyer Award for dents with practical experience. In Pro Bono Team of the Year, Green 2010, student advisers provided over Gown Awards, Pro Bono Partnership 2379 hours of advice, and over the of the Year with Reed Smith and Fipast three years LAC provided free le- nalist for the Times Higher Education gal advice to over 900 clients in over Award for Transference of Knowledge. 70 areas of law. LAC acts as a signpost, advising cliJennifer Toes, a second year undergraduate, recently used sought advice ents on their legal positions and what from LAC. “They were able to provide steps to take next. LAC does not unme with good advice that helped me dertake casework or representation; out of a bad situation,” she said. “LAC it does however provide essential rewas extremely thorough and profes- ferrals to other free legal advice prosional. Getting free legal advice that is viders who are able to offer represengreat is difficult; I would recommend tation.
A canal boat owner in East London witnessed a large Canada goose, a species which can grow to a weight of as much as 14lbs, disappear beneath the surface of the River Lea last week. This is not the first time that birds have been disappearing from the second biggest river in London in this mysterious fashion. Speculation has begun as to the possibility of a mink, large pike, turtle or even crocodile snatching birds from under the waters surface. In 2005 a group of biologists also saw a Canada Goose being dragged under water near the present location of the Olympic park. Mike Wells 52, a photographer, was taking his boat across the Leyton Marshes last week, when he saw the bird disappear under the water. He said: “About 30 meters or so away this goose went vertically down into the water with a very slight amount of splash. We watched for a while to see if it came back up and it didn’t.” Lea Rivers Trust representative Mark Gallant, who saw a goose vanish in 2005, believes the culprit to be a hungry crocodile. However, Leela O’Dea - a British Waterways ecologist - said that the guilty animal is most likely a mink. “They are known to go for ducks or small geese”, she said, thus eliminating the possibility of a greedy reptile. The only other possibility according to O’Dea is “a terrapin, they do grow to dinner-plate size. But they’re more likely to go for ducks and ducklings.” So London beware! Who knows what may be lurking in the waters…
2
QMESSENGER MONDAY NOVEMBER 21 2011
News Editorial Team: • Executive Editor - Sam Creighton vpcommunications@qmsu.org • Managing Editor - Caz Parra editor@qmessenger.co.uk • Sub-Editors - Robert Pritchard, Maria Sowter and Lauren Mason proof@qmessenger.co.uk •News Editors - Rosie Reynolds, Kaamil Ahmed and Ariane Osman news@qmessenger.co.uk • Comment Editors - Kashmira Gander and Stephanie Rankin comment@qmessenger.co.uk • Satire Editors - Ben Richardson and Aaron Barber satire@qmessenger.co.uk • Sports and Societies Editors - Shafi Musaddique, Hollie Carter and Ashley Sweetman sport@qmessenger.co.uk • Photography Editors - Keeren Flora and Bethia Stone photography@qmessenger.co.uk
You should be writing for us. Email any of the above email addresses to sign up to our award winning team and get your career in student media off to a flying start.
The Cloud How you fit into the news.
Medical marijuana sellers in California are being forced to close down after a judge said they were selling for profit rather than medicine.
In Europe some are worried about the replacement of elected prime ministers in Italy and Greece with unelected ones charged with taking their counties out recession.
The Bank of England has warned of a higher risk of a double dip recession being caused by the unresolved debt crisis in the eurozone that has been worrying Europe’s leaders for weeks now.
Occupiers in New York were kicked out of ‘Liberty Square’ by New York police early last week before a judge decided that they should be allowed to return to the square.
Arab nations have decided to expel Syria from the Arab League after the government continued to crack down violently on protesters.
Alternatively find us on Facebook at /QMessenger. QMessenger is printed at Mortons of Horncastle Ltd, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincolnshire, LN9 6JR. Tel: 01507 523 456. Each issue has a print run of 1,000 and costs £445 to print and deliver. Established in 2008, QMessenger is the free weekly newspaper of Queen Mary Students’ Union. We are proud of our editorial independence and endeavour to always hold the College, Union and external bodies to account and to provide the best news and analysis to the students of Queen Mary, University of London. QMessenger is created entirely by students and the publication retains all copyright of design, text, photographs and graphics, along with the individual contributor.
By Kaamil Ahmed and Rohema Uddin
Any views expressed in QMessenger section are those of the individual writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the paper, the editorial board, Queen Mary Students’ Union or Queen Mary, University of London.
Images by: Bank of England by Rev Stan (Flickr) Brick Lane by Selma! (Flickr) Vatican by Oggie Dog (Flickr)
@QMessenger
In this digital age of ours it would be remiss for us not to keep an eagle eye on our online presence.So,here are the best messages tweeted @QMessenger this week. Just noticed I’m in the @QMessenger tweet box for the second week running. What can I say to make it three? “I was wondering if you lot could put an advert on @QMessenger” ... great wording there! Opened up a @LondonStudent to see a very happy @caztellations on page 2! Good plug for @ QMessenger there :)
news@qmessenger.co.uk
Police in Tower Hamlets have been cracking down on drugs and violent crime this month by making arrests on Brick Lane. In an operation earlier in the month they carried out 100 stop and searches and arrested 14 people.
Some of the world’s most inspiring figures in science, technology and business came to Queen Mary last week as part of the Global Entrepreneurs Week.
The High Court has ruled that the Roman Catholic Church can be held liable over the action of its priests. The decision was given in favour of a woman who claimed she was sexually assaulted a priest.
Youth unemployment broke the one million mark last week with 21% of 16-25 year-olds being out of work.
Christian groups have condemned a controversial play about Jesus, currently touring in France. Last month French magazine Charlie Hebdo caused controversy amongst French Muslims when it was thought to have insulted Islam.
QMSU President elected chair of Unions94 Chris Smith Sophie Richardson, QMSU President, has been elected chair of Unions94, a coalition of Students’ Unions within the 1994 Group. Up against Sussex’s Union President, she gave a 90 second speech and was elected by secret ballot. Richardson believes “it’s really important that QMSU is involved” as, “it’s a really good way to share good practice with similar unions to ourselves”. It is also important that we have “those opportunities to engage with other unions”. Many of the member unions of
Unions94 are similar in nature. Part of research driven universities and with large commercial arms, they as a group can develop solutions to challenges and issues that all members faces. Richardson decided to get involved with Unions94 after seeing how the Aldwych G r o u p developed ideas for the student
unions of the Russell Group. She believes Unions94 can “become a lobbying group” on important issues both for the group and individual unions. Richardson’s main commitment will be chairing meetings, but she will also have to liaise with an NUS staff member assigned to the group and other SU presidents.
Originally established in 2006 with Aaron Porter as chair, the group was rather disengaged. However, Richardson promised she would be active as chair. The group established an purpose at the first meeting, to act to lobby but also build better links between the unions. This can ultimately lead to a more united and harmonious student force. The 1994 Group represents 19 renowned research led universities including Queen Mary. Founded in 1994, it was a direct response to the creation of the Russell Group. You can email Sophie at president@qmsu.org or follow her on twitter @PresidentQMSU
3
QMESSENGER MONDAY NOVEMBER 21 2011
News
Uni price war hots up as 1 in 5 slash fees Alex Penn Confusion has hit thousands of students as 1 in 5 universities plan to reduce their fees weeks before the application deadline in order to attract more applicants. Prospective students basing their application on price may be forced to rethink their options, while those who've already applied – and scrapped certain universities due to high fees – may feel short-changed. Liam Burns, president of the National Union of Students (NUS), branded the changes “botched” and a trigger of “great uncertainty”. Twenty-seven English Universities have applied to the Office for Fair Access (Offa), the universities watchdog, to review agreements made earlier this year and attempt to reduce their tuition fees. Most institutions are seeking a reduction to around a £7,500 a year ceiling, yet some that opted to charge the maximum £9,000 have also applied. Offa will make a final decision by the end of the month. "It is unbelievable that students have had to apply for courses before knowing how much they will pay in fees," said Labour's higher
Twenty percent of universities are seeking to slash fees in preperation for next year. Queen Mary is not one of these universities, instead sticking with the £9k price tag. Image by Ewan M via Flick (cc) education spokeswoman Shabana Mahmood. Universities have blamed delays in the Government's announcement of changes to higher education funding, which meant that those charging under £7,500 a year are eligible to bid for 20,000 places set aside by ministers. Ministers were shocked by the high number of universities
choosing to charge the maximum £9,000 a year. The change is aimed to give universities an incentive to charge less. General secretary of the University and College Union, Sally Hunt, added that the “Government's decision to move the goalposts on fee levels after it got its sums wrong exposes the mess it has made of university funding”
“Some universities may feel they have no option but to reduce their fee levels to try and compete for extra students and students will be wondering if there is now a cheaper option on the market for them” NUS Vice president, Toni Pearce, fears the sudden changes may affect the students' search for funding: “Students looking to as-
sess and compare what support will be available to them will be facing weeks of uncertainty” As more than 30% of English universities chose to charge £9,000 for all courses when the fee levels were first revealed over the summer, UCAS logged a 12.5 per cent fall in applications compared with the same period last year.
HEFCE shake up for Study says more students are postgrad funding turning to the sex trade to pay fees Anja Popp Post-graduate fees have taken an even more confusing turn now that the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has announced a new funding formula for the 2012-13 academic year. Coming into effect at the same time as £9k fees for undergraduates, the changes will see the rationale which decides the amount of money universities receive for postgraduate research (PGR) students shift from being based on the number of PGR students an institution has enrolled, to how well it has performed in the research rankings. Sophie Richardson, President of Queen Mary Students’ Union, said: “I think it’s quite concerning that universities will only be able to get money depending on their current ratings in the research ranks. I think that’s quite a shame because we could be limiting research activity in good quality departments at a variety on institutions and we’d also be limiting opportunities for students who want to go on and do postgraduate research degrees.” The Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) ranks a university’s research on
a scale ranging from 4* (world leadin order to dance Ariane Osman ing) to 1* (nationally recognised). The which can go up to original ratio proposed by HEFCE to £200 per night. decide PGR funding was to compare More female students will turn to lap Dr Kate Hardy said: a departments 4* ranked research to dancing in a bid to pay for rising tu- “a key way to reduce that which received a 3* grade. How- ition fees according to Dr Kate Hardy the number of women ever, due to the number of complaints of Leeds University. going into lap dancmade about this system during the Her research study entitled The ing (if that is the aim) consultation process, the final formu- Regulatory Dance: Sexual Con- is to get rid of tuition la will instead look at a departments sumption in the Night Time Econ- fees, introduce a grant 4* and 3* research compared to the omy found that out of the 300 lap and have other well amount of research rated 2* or above. dancers surveyed, one third were in paid employment opThe change has come after the Gov- higher education. Sixty percent of portunities for womernment decreed that universities dancers were full time students, 25% en once they have finshould receive support from the £200 studied part time and 15% were tak- ished their education”. million pot reserved Research Degree ing evening classes. Lap dancing during Programme funding only for internaThe steady rise in female unem- university leads the 60% of lapdancers who took part in the stdy by tionally excellent research. ployment has also impacted the lap risk of students turning the University of Leeds were students. Image by Queen Mary, University of London dancing statistics with one quarter to prostitution if they Thomas Hawk via Flickr (cc). (QMUL) performs well in the RAE, of dancers having a degree. The ma- fall badly into debt. In the 2008 table places the institution jority consisted of arts graduates who an interview with the Guardian, a stu- ucation, the careers office has a range 11th in the country, above King’s, Dur- were unable to find jobs in the hos- dent lap dancer said: “Women can do of tools and options to help, including ham and Bristol. QMUL has 43.9% of tile economy. a lot worse than dance to make their CV writing and checking as well as adits research ranked at 3* and another The major incentive for dancing rent. But I’ve heard of girls in other vice to improve employability.” The Careers Office also commented 18.7% was awarded the top mark of 4*. was money. A dancer said: “Earn very clubs being offered to do “extras” for Therefore, the changes could be bene- good money in the short term. £100- more money. That’s really horrible, that “the need for extra money while ficial for the institution. However, So- £200 a night”. but if my money problems got worse studying has always been a priority for many students. And of course phie Richardson, President of Queen The amount of money made each I can imagine being tempted.” Mary Students’ Union says: “It’s dif- night is not guaranteed and 59% of Kirsti Burton, a Careers Informa- part time work can be really useful ficult, I think on a moral grounds it dancers stated this as a negative point tion Manager at Queen Mary, was experience to draw on when applying wrong and while I understand that about their work along with having to keen to emphasise that other oppor- for full-time work later down the line” for Queen Mary it’s probably benefi- keep their job a secret (47%) and fac- tunities were possible, saying: “If and urged students to turn to their Jocial but I think we should be looking at ing abuse from customers (40%). anyone wants to find part time work bOnline website to find vacanices and the bigger picture.” Dancers must also pay House Fees to help fund their time in highed ed- employment.
news@qmessenger.co.uk
4
QMESSENGER MONDAY NOVEMBER 21 2011
News
BL students push for better support Sam Creighton A survey of hundreds of students at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentisty (BL), has shown that they are unhappy with levels of feedback offered by the school and by the faculty’s mentor scheme. The survey, which collected responses from over 500 students, was carried out by George Ryan, Barts and The London Student Association (BLSA) President, and Andy Smith, Medical Student Representative on Student Council. It was written for the Student Staff Conference and presented there by Ryan under the title Contemporary Issues at BLSA. Ryan commented that the survey has been well received by university staff, saying: “My experience has been that they’re really keen to hear what students have to say and are happy to find a happy medium between what we want ideally and what is realistic administratively. We’re not knocking on a closed door.” The Student Staff Conference took place on November 2 and is an annual event which was established a to counter poor NSS results received by the faculty in some areas of the Na-
tional Student Survey. Its purpose is to be an open forum for students to present their problems to staff in a constructive manner. Ryan explained that Professor Wise, the Dean for Education at BL, said that if the students wanted to make a real point at the conference they needed stats. “It’s difficult,” Ryan says, “because people are like “Oh no, not another bloody survey,” but if you can go to the school with stats showing this or that, they can’t really refute it.” Assessment and feedback was one issue that students raised through the survey with only 54 % of students saying the feeback they received was useful. Currently, BL provides a students who has taken an exam with a bar chart showing their results for each section of that exam. Ryan said that this is what the school thinks is useful for students but that students themselves “don’t see this as feedback. I think that it’s because most people come straight from school and so are used to having red pen all over their work saying exactly what they’d got wrong and how to get it right, and they expect that from university as well.” The mentor scheme was also an area of contention. Each BL student is assigned a mentor to give them ac-
ademic support during their studies. Each mentor looks after eight students and sees them both in groups and individually. Ryan said that a large number of the open comments that they collected about the mentor scheme was that student did not know what the role of their mentor was. Ryan descirbed it as a “shame” that only 50 % of respondents thought that mentors had had a postive impact on them academically. “This person is potentially a one-on-one tutor who can give you whatever support you need.” Other minor issues raised included the way in which students were informed about changes to timetables. With text messages being the most popular way of being contactaced, something which the faculty has recently stopped doing, instead opting for using Google Calander. Ryan has been pleased with the progress made, “I forwarded the survey right after the conference to the relevant members of staff and someone got back to me saying they’d used it in a meeting already. They said that the mentor scheme is being revamped and that this is something they are going to use as an instigator of that. That’s really reactive to what we’ve said.”
BLSA President, George Ryan, has conducted a survey with over 500 BL students and presented their concerns to faculty staff. Image by Bethia Stone
Academics say changes to immigration policy will hit science research hard Aamna Mohdin The Government’s plans to cut granted residencies could threaten Britain’s respected position within the global science community. This comes a year after eight Nobel Prize winners wrote to The Times, protesting against proposals to cap immigration to the UK. The Government conceded, but senior scientists are alarmed by the sudden policy U-turn. Nineteen research leaders are campaigning against these plans by writing another letter to The Times. The current system allows skilled migrants and their dependents to apply for permanent residency at the end of their visas, and their requests are almost always approved. In June, ministers proposed amending the currant immigration policy to restrict the number of migrants guaranteed the right to settlement. They hope to reduce granted residency from 84,000 to 20,000 a year. Research based universities, such as Queen Mary, University of London, could be directly affected by these proposals. A five-year visa without the expectation of renewal would discourage many scientists from choosing the UK for their research. Many argue, that within sci-
news@qmessenger.co.uk
Goverment policy could damage UK reputation for scientific excellence. Image courtesy of UGA College via Flickr (CC) ence, five years is simply too short. It is barely enough time to supervise a PHD student or commit to research projects; some even fear being forced to abandon their research before it is complete. “Limiting scientists to five years is ultimately pointless and it won’t achieve anything,” said Lucy Wyatt, a second year biologist interested in doing a PHD in population genetics. “They won’t be able to take on jobs that will allow them to do anything of any meaning, which would include looking after PHD students and actually accumulating enough knowledge to establish scientific theories.” Campaigners have described the proposals as “a profound mistake”, they claim that the “UK needs these
people more than they need us.” The Migration Advisory Committee last week proposed that the right to settlement should be linked to a salary threshold of between £31,000 and £49,000. However, this would still exclude many scientists, particularly those in junior positions whose salary would be significantly lower. Speculation has arisen over the ability of protecting British interests by implementing these cuts. “No”, says second year biology student Nisha Bargota. “These proposals may be turning away the best in the industry, which is not in my best interest. The government needs to listen to the valid concerns from the science community.” The UK Border Agency has closed any further consultation on this issue.
5
QMESSENGER MONDAY NOVEMBER 21 2011
News
Boris mistaken on crime statistics Kaamil Ahmed The statistics used by Boris Johnson to boast about his policies on youth violence are flawed, he admitted at Mayor’s Question Time last week. Johnson admitted that the figures he had been using, to promote a scheme that aims to stop young men in London’s prison system re-offending, were outdated. The Mayor had, until recently, been claiming that the Heron wing of the Time for Action scheme had brought re-offending rates at Feltham Young Offenders Institute down from 80 % to 19 %. “The re-offending rate I told Parliament was around 80 %, it was actually 76.7 % and I was told that it had gone down to 20 %”, said the Mayor, “that was the only statistic I had until I was recently told that it had gone up to 40 %.” Johnson said that the 60 % drop statistic he had initially used was only applicable for the first year of the scheme, which he set up soon after his appointment as Mayor of London in 2008. Johnson’s success in fulfilling the numerous promises he made
“Boris turns water into wine” by Emma Rios. about tackling crime during political graveyard signposted down.” However, Johnson disputes the 2008 campaign have been by acute failure, inaction and the claim that youth violence questioned by his opposition cronyism”, said Jasper. “London has seen horrific levels has increased and points to ahead of the next Mayoral election of increasing youth violence, various projects aimed at tackling in May next year. Lee Jasper, an advisor to Ken massive increases in contentious the issue, including Operation that targets gang Livingstone during his time and suspicious deaths in police Connect as Mayor, said that Johnson’s and prison custody, a 300% members and Project Titan which promises were misleading and increase in stop and search for is a mentoring programme for gave the public a sense of false black youth, huge cuts to London young men in London. “The crucial thing is that youth local authorities that have hope. “Three and a half years later, resulted in the closure of frontline violence is down, though you have that vision, so full of vibrant youth facilities, youth workers be careful because statistics are ambition and dynamic hope, has being sacked and thousands of volatile”, said Johnson. “The problem with gangs, the become a Mayoral nightmare, a voluntary sector projects closed
Image by IanVisits (via Flickr) problem with gang culture in London is endemic,” he said. “What [Operation] Connect does is pick on the people most likely to be involved in gang violence.” Darren Johnson, the London Assembly member for Lewisham, questioned the mayor’s commitment to the programme. The Green Party representative said: “I would have thought that a mayor that was so keen to roll this out would have come to this meeting with more info about it would be funded.”
Queen Mary Geography Students Study Olympic Job Openings for local residents of East London Ariane Osman Students from the Geography Department are researching the number of Olympic locals who will receive jobs from the games this coming summer. The community pressure group London Citizens and the London 2012 bid team (LOCOG) made an agreement in 2004 for 30 per cent of Olympic jobs to go to residents of the Olympic boroughs of Greenwich, Hackney, Newham, Waltham Forest and Tower Hamlets. Reports have indicated that this agreement is not being upheld, as the Olympic borough communities are not being given priority when applying for jobs. £8.30 per hour is the minimum wage that the Olympic jobs are to offer. The rate is catered to local communities as it allows Londoners to live decently in the pricey capital. The effectiveness of job fairs created to help 40,000 locals find jobs during the games are also being studied by geography students. They participated in creating job opportunities for Queen Mary
QM Geographers are researching Olympic employment. Image by Stijn Vogels students, and Tower Hamlet locals, through a recruitment event on campus for Arena Leisure, the catering contractor. The event is expected to have helped 1,000 people into employment. Dr Jane Wills, Professor of Human Geography said: “Queen Mary Geography students are evaluating the London Citizens’ job fairs as part of their training in research methods. They are learning about research design, planning, and execution while also finding out about London
Citizens, the struggles faced by local people who need a job, and what the community can do to help” It is hoped that student research will increase understanding of how community groups can bring confidence back to unemployed locals and help them into the workforce. Findings will be used by organizations such as London Citizens and local government groups to assess their employment strategies.
news@qmessenger.co.uk
6
QMESSENGER MONDAY NOVEMBER 21 2011
Newsfocus
Osbourne's "disastrous" austerity mesaures attacked by QM academics “It’s now clear that Plan A isn’t working”, say two Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL) academics, along with over one hundred other British economists, in an open letter to Chancellor George Osborne. The letter, printed in The Guardian on October 29, lays out four strategies aimed at restoring the ailing British economy: reversing public sector cuts, a ‘green new deal’, a tax on financial transactions and the creation of a British investment bank. Professor Simon Mohun, Emeritus Professor of Political Economy at QMUL, and Professor Stefano Harney, of the university’s School of Business and Management are both co-signatories. The letter, Professor Mohun explains, comes from a dissatisfaction with current Government policy and the idea that the country is being led down the wrong path. “[Current economic policy] depends upon what perfectly rational, infinitely far-sighted individuals choose to do. That is garbage, really, and that’s the sort of impetus behind the letter.” Professor Mohun says that the Government’s argument that the country’s economic difficulties are fallout from policies of the Labour government, coupled with the troubles currently raging in the eurozone, is “garbage”. While not denying that Labour did leave office with a deficit, or that the eurozone crisis is having an impact, he argues that the real danger is the “disastrous” approach being taken by the Coalition which is why he is supporting “the Plan B that Osborne says he absolutely doesn’t have”, as well as to challenge the “there’s-nothing-we-can-do attitude”. Meeting with QMessenger shortly after the letter was published, Professor Mohun explains that he sees two reasons for Britain’s current predicament. He cites the “minor” reason as the unbalancing of Britain’s fiscal policy under Labour, but sees the immediate major cause as the banking bailout, a consequence, he says, of the “huge bet” made by both Conservative and Labour governments since the 1980s on having a large financial services sector as the driver of UK growth. He says that in a recession, increased unemployment leads to a fall in tax revenue and rising benefits bills, and so the deficit will increase. “By cutting demand the government will make the deficit worse. The government should be doing the opposite. How to expand demand and in what directions is what the Plan B is all about.” The Plan B suggested by the economists, seeks to overcome “long-
news@qmessenger.co.uk
The Facts
2.6m Total number of people unemployed in the UK.
1m The number of those aged between 16 and 25.
£412bn Projected net borrowing for the next few years. (ICF)
2.14% UK 10 year bond yields.
5% The current UK inflation rate.
£40bn Total raised by this government in cuts and tax raises.
89% Forcast UK government debt as a percentage of GDP for 2012. (Italy 121%)
Cartoon Maria D’Amico standing” problems, with four strategies. Policy number one is simple, to reverse the recent cuts to the public sector, thus reducing unemployment. The second policy is to instigate a “green new deal” to aid job creation. He invokes the Keynesian imagery of the government giving each unemployed individual a spade and employing them to dig holes in the road and then to refill them. These people would then spend their wages and the economy would be boosted by the influx of demand, “but that doesn’t really seem very satisfactory,” he jests. While agreeing with the principle of the policy, he says that investment must be made in “desirable” areas and in ways that will shift the economy away from it’s dependence upon the financial sector. He says the obvious infrastructure to divert funds towards would be those within the ‘green’ industries. The letter also advocates the introduction of a levy on financial transactions. The Government claims to agree with the measure in principle, Professor Mohun explains, but
argues that it cannot work un- most bold, of all strategies less it is implemented world- suggests the introduction of a wide as otherwise such trans- British investment bank. This actions, and their associated “nationalized bank, a peoindustries, would migrate to ple’s bank” would be geared other nations. He disagrees towards medium and long with them from two fronts: term investments, would be firstly, as the level of tax that the agency implementing the is being proposed is very small, ‘green investment’ and would he questions whether such provide funds when they are a policy would make Britain not available from the com-
“ Whenever something derogatory is said about banks and bankers there’s a storm of applause.
“
Caz Parra
uncompetitive in the global financial markets. His second argument is that Britain’s geographical location, placed between the markets in the US and the Far East, means it is well suited to supporting the financial sector because of differences in the time-zones. He also notes that if Britain’s financial sector were to shrink due to the crisis, that “there might be some consequential pain, but, in the long run, maybe it’s a good thing.” The final, and arguably
mercial sector or from ordinary banks. Speaking on the recent changes to higher education, Professor Mohun says that, on the one hand, students will accumulate large debts while also, due to increasing financial pressures on universities, see lower levels on support and contact time. While on the other hand he says that now students have more power than ever to demand a better level of education due to the higher financial con-
tribution students are making through fees. However, he warns that “we have no experience of that sort of culture here in this country and it remains to be seen how it’s going to play out”. While Professor Mohun does not expect the letter to make George Osborne suddenly change his approach to the nation’s economy, he sees it as a contribution to a larger movement. “If you ever listen to any of these programmes on the radio with questions and so on, whenever someone says anything derogatory about banks and bankers there’s a storm of applause in the audience. It’s quite obvious that there is a strong undercurrent, nationally, of disgust and a feeling of ‘we can’t go on like this’. Anything that contributes to that stance or encourages that sort of view is a good thing”. In his opinion, student activists should find ways to build the “we are 99 % movement for radical change” in the ways in which people earn their living and participate in democratic society”. For, he emphasises, “it’s our society, not theirs”.
7
QMESSENGER MONDAY NOVEMBER 21 2011
Comment
The Great Debate Does Poppy Day glorify war? Is A Robin Hood Tax The Answer? The simplest ideas are oft the most attractive. As far as simple, elegant, ideas go, the Robin Hood tax is one of the best. A tiny tax on individual financial transactions which would apparently raise as much as £20 billion a year, the Robin Hood Tax is one financial policy that finds supporters from across the political spectrum. The tax is supposed to offer a perfect solution: almost no impact on trading, whilst simultaneously generating huge revenue. But is it really that perfect? Detractors point to the one major case study where something similar was implemented. In 1984, Sweden instituted a form of transaction tax, set at 0.5%. The actual revenue generated was just one twentieth of what its supporters claimed, and the rate of business transactions did in fact decline. But the real reason the British government isn’t jumping for joy at the idea of a Robin Hood tax has nothing to do with Sweden. Tax large banks, they fear, and they will soon decide to leave our shores in pursuit of greener pastures. This is the weapon banks always have in reserve; the bazooka that finance holds to the head of politics. Qmessenger is not as sure as the Plan B proposers that a Robin Hood tax would not make the banking trigger finger itch.
Willetts Is A Bit Of A Wally The upcoming Student Council here at Queen Mary will be debating a motion to No Confidence David Willetts, the Minister for Universities and Science. This latest change to how universities receive funding to support postgraduate research students adds fuel to the already blazing fire at his feet. To divide funding according to performance in the RAE, rather than by student numbers, will only serve to worsen the gap between those institutions at the top and those at the bottom. This will deprive students of the opportunity to further their studies, and the country of valuable and important research. Willetts is throwing the sector into chaos. The fact that 1 in 5 universities are attempting to renegotiate their fee agreements shows that even those at the very heart of higher education don’t have a clue what is going on. He is increasingly seeming less like a measured and sensible Minister of Her Majesty’s Government, and more like Noel Edmonds presiding over a high stakes version of Deal or No Deal.
Yes K. T. Smith Remembrance Day is a fine idea in principle. That we in the present should take time to reflect on the past - on history, and the lessons therein - is beyond question. It comes round once a year, and diligently we oblige; we pin a poppy to our clothes and give the old chaps (and chapettes) on the street our spare change. We unwittingly smile as we compare them, regardless of gender, to Captain Dan of Forrest Gump fame and grimace accordingly at our own youtful disrespect. But at what point do we actually apply any conscious thought to the situation? When and what do we actually ‘remember’? For most of us, if we’re honest, the answer is never and nothing. What does it mean, then, to wear a poppy in a contemporary world, where war is not only a memory but a commonplace of daily global life – no longer exclusive to those areas we have come to so complacently expect it (being so desensitised to the violent politics of the Middle East and the gore of African militancy and tribalism) – in which Britain is actively involved? In this context it is no longer possible for such a symbol to be consigned to history; it can no longer represent the past when its meaning is so imminent. The poppy no longer evokes solely the ghosts of Flanders, but also those of the Afghan Opium Fields and the Iraqi cities where so many have, as of late, lost or given up their lives. And, though the world is watching, these are not world wars; these are violent conflicts of principal and subjective morality, waged in National rather than Human interest, where loss of life cannot be so attributed to a greater good as it could in times past and so should be separated from its euphemistic
glory and named as what it is – violent death. And so, just as Death can no longer hide behind his many pseudonyms, it is also no longer fitting for the symbolic connotations of the poppy to remain the same. It is nonsensical for such a totem, now having its roots laid in the present as firmly as it does in the past, to reflect the optimism of a postwar-history in which we no longer live. This is not our zeitgeist. It does not ring true for us, now; we cannot effectively remember the past in an era when history so forcefully repeats and dominates the present. Our annual day of remembrance, then, simply is not – cannot be - as we are led to believe. We are not, as it may seem, watching an outdated VHS, admiring the glory of Human victory over intolerable cruelty in a time long elapsed to history; we are watching the news. War is real. Death is now. We are living it, here, in the present tense and we must not pretend otherwise. Glorification of sacrifice in an age where sacrifice has become mantra is tantaHere dead we lie Because we did not choose To live and shame the land From which we sprung. Life, to be sure, Is nothing much to lose, But young men think it is, And we were young. mount to perpetuation. ‘Remembrance Day’ prizes passive ritualism over active cognisance and demands a visible statement of blind obedience over more personal and rewarding forms of introspection. Worst of all, however, is the rampant demonisation of anyone who dares to resist their moral obligation to the cause. Just ask Jon Snow. K.T. Smith is a second year English Literature student and a freelance writer.
No
Cartoon by Maria D’Amico
However, what we should not pretend is that simply by virtue of dying, those we seek to remember have done so for a worthIn Flanders fields the poppies while cause. It is a cruel truth that blow so many of those lost in FlanBetween the crosses, row on row. ders Fields should not have been. Whether we view the war itself as No doubt many of you will have noble, and that is a whole other seen that poem, and those two debate I will consign to my Interlines in particular, reproduced all national Relations seminars, vast over the place over remembrance scores of those soldiers killed in weekend. The section that will not have featured so prominently on ‘The Great War’ did so because of tweets and facebook statuses is, the incompetence and disregard of their superiors. Similarly, can though, equally significant. we honestly tell ourselves that solFrom the very same poem: diers killed in Iraq and AfghaniTake up our quarrel with the foe: stan were doing us a great serTo you from failing hands we throw vice and are thus owed our gratiThe torch; be yours to hold it high. tude? What about the enemy? Can If ye break faith with us who die we dismiss German lives as irrelWe shall not sleep, though poppies evant because they were fighting grow for something we all agree was In Flanders fields. wrong? It may seem rather tiresome to We should not have to. We reproduce parts of the poem, but should not remember those we I believe it is important. have lost because we may owe Amongst the various criticisms them a debt of gratitude. We of FIFA to be heard during the re- should not remember those we cent controversy (for those who have lost because they may have escaped it, football’s governing fought for a noble cause. We body ruled that England players should remember them because could not wear poppies on their they are gone. shirts, cue national outrage and The poppy does not glorify war, mass hysteria), the most frequent but it is dangerous to assume was that they had no respect for that those lives lost fighting their the sacrifice brave soldiers had country’s battles are somehow made in the name of the very free- more worthy of our remembrance dom they now seemed to be cur- than others. It is right that the tailing. state marks the deaths of those It is, then, ironic that the very who fought on its behalf. As indipoem used to inspire the poppy viduals, though, let us remember appeal is actually regarded as a those we choose. piece of state propaganda, crudeIt is no more sweet, and no more ly promoting the war in the name fitting, to die for your country than of those whose lives it has taken. in other circumstances. Indeed, it The call to arms, to ‘take up the is often less so. quarrel with the foe’ on behalf of Wilfried Owen was right to lathose killed, undermines the argu- bel the sentiment of ‘dulce et dement that the poppy innately rep- corum est. Pro patria mori’ the resents peace and righteousness. old lie. It is one we continue to It would, however, be far too tell ourselves. simplistic to now join the dots and paint the poppy as a symbol Max Burman is a first year Politics that glorifies war. I do not believe students and is a member of the Labour it does. Society.
Max Burman
comment@qmessenger.co.uk
8
QMESSENGER MONDAY NOVEMBER 21 2011
Comment
Aimless: just how revolutionary are the St. Paul's protest camps?
On the first day of Occupy LSX, Anonymous masks were plentiful, but is this type of protest effective? clear exactly what direction it is raises questions as to what the negative or violent mood. The issue was addressed with a taking, but even what it is doing camp would be correctly termed Ellen Tansey as. meditative flash mob on the steps there at all. Perhaps it is a desire to carve Furthermore, it casts complete At St. Paul’s Cathedral, by the on St Paul’s, failing to first outevening of October 8th, the re- right condemn the raid, and sec- doubt on the legitimate arguments out a new framework of passive sounding opinion among many ac- ondly develop systems and prac- and criticisms that the camp is resistance that is unlike any other, tivists and spectators was that ‘this tises to prevent future acts of, what making. Many activists under- or an attempt to unify those of difmany believe to be, racially moti- stood that the camp was there to ferent ideological backgrounds, or occupation won’t last the night.’ directly address the crisis of capi- perhaps even simply an ill considHowever, much to the surprise vated, police aggression. The politics of camp members talism, not to shy away from con- ered attempt to avoid mistakes of of many, and with forced eviction still seeming like an inevitability has become a divisive issue with fronting such issues to appease past movements whose ideological as notices were pinned onto tents many believing that the camp is those who do not necessarily agree. a week ago, the occupation contin- not the place for, if not ideologi- And to that end, what would be the ues and, at the time of writing, is cal political debate, party politics. function of offering such concesNoticeably so, at a general assem- sions? entering into its fifth week. The occupation is not the doThat said, with its rigorously bly held in the second week of the enforced apolitical stance, fierce camp’s span, a motion was dis- main of those who seek to pacify commitment to non-retaliation cussed to ban party political liter- capitalism but those who seek to revolutionise the system and, if it and relatively ambiguous aims, or ature and posters from the camp. not, then it cannot be effective. even direction, many supporters Regardless of the politics of inhave found themselves growing dividuals to attempt to divorce a differences caused rifts and disaincreasingly frustrated and disilglobal anti-capitalist movement greement both in action and anallusioned by the mechanics of the with what can be termed politics ysis, such as last autumn’s student St Paul’s occupation. in general is almost impossible. If movement or the recent national Since its inception the camp has civil unrest and resentment is not riots. witnessed a plethora of huge poa socio-political issue then what is Finally, there is a concrete lack litical issues and, much to the disit? And, furthermore, where will of ‘occupational skill’, many putsatisfaction of many activists, has ting this down to inexperienced acLess than a week after this it was it go? repeatedly failed to take a stance The camp may not need dogmat- tivists, or unclear goals, but unlike decided that the camp’s ‘Capitalon them. For instance, on Thursday even- ism is Crisis’ banner, which had ic ideology to lead it to its eventual many occupations before it, the ing on-lookers saw armed police quickly become a semi-iconic im- goal – a goal which remains some- basic formula of an occupation has raid the tent of the camp’s Kurd- age of the occupation, was to be what ambiguous – but it surely not been fulfilled: ‘We are occupyish community. The police found removed. From this it is clear that must rely on what can loosely be ing this space until you meet our demands. When you meet them, nothing at all. Crowd members the occupations aims are in disar- termed ‘politics’. With this in mind it is incredibly we will leave. If you don’t, we will who shouted out in solidarity with ray. When an anti-capitalist camp difficult to understand why there not. Our demands are…’ The occuthe Kurdish group were silenced by fellow-occupiers, who instead refuses to display anti-capitalist is such strong feeling in favour of pation did not arise in such a way, encouraged them not to create a slogans, it not only becomes un- detaching from politics, and this and so seems indefinite.
camp is void “The of politics, void
supporters “ Many have found themselves growing disillusioned.
”
comment@qmessenger.co.uk
of clear goals and void of direction.
”
Image by Tom Stevenson If it is waiting for collapse of global capitalism, then waiting will not bring it about. It seems that the demands of the camp (semi-concrete demands given out at the start of the third week of occupation) propose a movement that the camp itself cannot partake in. Occupation relies on ‘the management’ to cave in and it is more than evident that substantive socio-economic change will never come from the top. Despite these criticisms it would be unfair to suggest that the camp is not operating. It certainly is, but operating what? Void of politics, void of clear goals and void of direction it is difficult even to term it correctly. The camp works as a camp, and it seems that many have become caught up in the efficiency of their kitchen, their library and their general assemblies. But that’s not what a political movement is about, and it won’t bring about the change that it seemingly seeks to. Pitching a tent and carrying out ordinary daily functions does not constitute a political movement: it’s not direct action, it’s not public pressure and it’s certainly not revolutionary. It’s just camping.
Ellen Tansey is a first year History and Politics student and a member of QM SWSS.
9
QMESSENGER MONDAY NOVEMBER 21 2011
Comment
Feminist conferences: where equality meets merkins and chicken suits
like “Conferences thisare just a single means of getting in on the movement
sary changes. Change does not come about through action or understanding alone, but the mass movement of all believers in our cause. For example, you could don a merkin and join the so-called ‘Muff March’ on December 10th at Harley Street to address the issues revolving
silent and immobile “AFeminist is no good in the bustling and bellowing 21st century
“
There’s something quite magical about sitting in a room full of people whom you, without having said a word to, know share in your philosophy. UK Feminista, a Feminist movement support network, has hosted five conferences since 2004, and I attended my first on November 12th. You don’t have to be a woman to join the Feminist cause; you just have to respect them. And the perk of your achievement is not merely ‘fairness’. What exists in this necessary change to the social order is potential benefits for all. Feminism is not a dirty word; it does not make you a bra-burner or a man-hater. Feminism is the act of unifying humanity
in equality, and no human after great ‘violence against women’ receives a thought should ever deny the world fifth of the funding than its male-led of this. equivalent, White Ribbon Campaign, And for those of you who are in- received (so even those men striving clined to believe that the equali- for equality are, ironically, immediately advantaged!); and Feminists have a sense of humour—I arrived to two chickens holding signs that read “Boris Johnson is a chicken” responding to his non-attendance. Conferences like this, which I urge you to attend, are just a single means of getting in on the movety gap is minimal or even non-exis- ment. To attend is to be present in a tent, I learned on Saturday that: two- room full of women and men—sharthirds of the world’s illiterate are fe- ing their experiences, some hard to male; women do two-thirds of the hear, some hard not to laugh along world’s work, receive just 10% of the with—so that you can then be more world’s income, and own only 1% intellectually present in a society that of the means of production; the av- does not accommodate everyone as erage women-led campaign against it should, and facilitate the neces-
“
Stevie Elizabeth
around ‘aesthetic conformity’ driven by the porn industry and unnecessary genital surgery. (I heard there’ll
even be a synchronised muff dance!) Or for the more specifically politically-minded out there, you could convene with UK Feminsta for some “alternative Christmas carolling” at Old Palace Yard, Houses of Parliament on November 29th for a protest against George Osbourne’s prebudget statement and the disproportionate impact the cuts are having on women. A silent and immobile Feminist is no good in the bustling and bellowing societies of the 21st century. Don’t just observe and approve of the momentum, harness it and ensure it translates into real change. Stevie Elizabeth Rankin is a first year English Literature student and cocomment editor for QMessenger.
November 9: the people The Exodus of Maturity: When officers' doth protest too much! actions are detrimental to representation Mya Medina
warned them”. Michael Chessum, organiser of the protest, told the BBC “Police intimidation is unacceptable and irresponsible”. Not only was the security of protesters jeopardised by the amount of police at the event, but it felt as though their rights had been questioned. A young activist, Sarah, stated: “I don’t know what to do. I want to go and protest against the privatisation of our education system, but I don’t know what my parents would say if I got arrested”. This is how many people are beginning to feel, as though our state ‘protection’ is becoming Orwellian. This all gives way to what is described as a rise in ‘Total Policing’: rubber bullets, equal numbers of protesters as police, etc. Notably as the day begun the Met Police handed out leaflet’s describing how they
Twitter erupted last thursday as the hashtag ‘#9nov’ began trending. Students and onlookers began to assemble outside ULU where attempts to conquer the cuts have begun before. 4000 clad black public ‘servants’ came to make their voices heard. Turns out these voices weren’t for the government to hear, instead they chanted with a “get back here” and a “move it” there, here a “move”, there a “move”, everywhere a “ket-tle”. In fact, Police weren’t there to satirise popular nursery rhymes. Instead they lined the agreed route, blockadingitsothatnotoneindividual activist was able to stray due to reinstated Public Disorder Act 1986 Section 12 laws. If the day couldn’t get more difficult, protesters were crushed as police made it impossible for the crowds to turn corners, instead shoving them back into the mob. At one point this situation escalated to such a drastic nature that police had to split the crowds on the corner of Duncannon Street and were ready to utilise Section 60 of the take a splinter group of two hundred Criminal Justice and Public Order or so people down a different route Act to search people and enforce to avoid public injuries. The day the removals of masks. I stood became an effective moving kettle; in horror as I saw several police activists were ambushed at London push a sixteen year old boy against Wall and entrapped while police let a bookshop demanding him to the protesters move on one by one. remove his ray bands! He was nearly As activists passed Fleet Street arrested for not providing his name bankers stood chuckling behind on the spot (which aren’t grounds their glass windows as popular to arrest someone, by the way). By business’ doors were barricaded by 16:15 Trafalgar Square had been steady lines of police. If the hierarchy cleared of those ‘pesky protesters’, wasn’t more apparent, the police London Wall was evacuated of the chose about this time to declare main march, and the rights of an that they would mass arrest those individual to protest was jeopardised who had made camp in Trafalgar on national television. Square unless they left willingly by 15:00. They justified their forcible Mya Medina is a first year English and degradation of citizens in Occupy Drama student and a member of QMTrafalgar Square by saying “well, we Equality and QM Theatre Company.
day became “The an effective
“
moving kettle.
Andrew Smith It can be argued that one of the benefits of university is the opportunity to enter intelligent debate with peers regarding a whole host of issues. One such forum for discussion is the Student Council. The meeting of which provides the opportunity for student councillors (representatives elected by the student body) as well as any other student who wishes to, to present motions for change. These motions are statements of intent and aim to drive Union policy and action. After a discussion on the issues, all the councillors vote on whether the motion is passed or rejected. By the very nature of the Student Council, it is filled with a whole range of individuals with differing backgrounds, beliefs and priorities. It is this variety that is its strength. It is rather unfortunate then that when certain people’s motions are repeatedly rejected that such people decide to take a stand (literally) and walk out of the meeting. To me it seems tantamount to throwing toys out of a pram. Such an event occurred at Student Councillors voting at the last meeting of November the 1st. the Student Council meeting on Image by Sam Creighton the 1st November and unfortunately it is not an isolated incident. tain motions had been discussed. sonable. One could at least make There were similar cases last year Nonetheless, they did stay when the effort to go to the pub. I shall not name names in this when councillors did the same and, requested to do so by one of the in doing so, made the meetings in- sabbatical officers. There is a dif- article, but I feel that if such bequorate which is when there is an ference, however, in that council- haviour continues, there is a leinsufficient number of members lors are elected officials that have gitimate call for the bodies that present to democratically decide been mandated to represent stu- these officers represent to quesdents. I am unsure how effective tion their representative’s actions on matters. So, does this behaviour real- representation can be when one is and duties. Politics isn’t always neat and ly matter? I think it does and will not in the room. It would be more now explain my reasoning. Firstly understandable if a councillor had tidy, but it isn’t meant to be. though, I shall not ignore that at prior commitments, but I think we the recent Union General Meeting would all agree that leaving (as an Andrew Smith is a final year medical (UGM) it was noted that a number act of dismay?) to stand outside to student and a Student Medical Reprentaof students tried to leave after cer- have a cigarette is totally unrea- tive on Student Council.
comment@qmessenger.co.uk
10
QMESSENGER MONDAY NOVEMBER 21 2011
Comment Support your lecturers' right to a fair pension on November 30 Sophie Richardson President
It’s so important that we have a sense of community here at QMUL, and a great way of emerging yourself in Uni life is by engaging with your Students’ Union. On Wednesday 23rd November at 6:30pm we will be holding our third Student Council meeting of the year. This is the perfect time for you to be involved in the debates going on in your Union, and to have your say. It’s really important that we have students like yourselves there, not only
to hold your elected Officers to account on the work we are doing for you, but also to make sure your Union is listening to you as students and that we are heading in the right direction. Another important event is the strike on Wednesday 30th November. Some of our lecturers and staff members will be striking to demand the right to a fair pension. Your elected Student Council voted to support this strike at the last meeting and I am asking as many of you as possi-
ble to support our lecturers and staff in fighting for this important cause. A meeting is being held on Thursday 24th November at 6pm in Francis Bancroft 1.13 and all students and staff are welcome to attend. Finally for this week, I’d like to tell you all about The East London Citizens Organisation’s Annual Assembly and 15th Anniversary on Wednesday 30th November at 6:45pm at TROXY, Commercial Road. Do come along with QMSU as it promises to
be a great evening with public deals due to be negotiated with the Chief Executives of LOCOG and the Legacy Company for housing and jobs in East London, things which will positively impact you as students in the area. As always, for more info on the above go to www.qmsu.org. T’rah for now, Sophie
Life after the GriffInn: I'm glad I'll still be a student to enjoy it next year George Ryan BLSA President
Moving house is a rather stressful business, isn’t it? We’ve all done it, probably more than once, so I’m sure I’m preaching out of the horses’ mouth (or something like that). Well, let me tell you, moving office is even worse. I’ve been relocated from the BLSA building, historic home of our great Association, and into the Garrod building while works are carried out for the GriffInn refurb. However, rather than complain
about the situation I find myself in, I’d rather cast a happy and longing eye towards the future. Not to when I get my office back (although that will be nice), but to when the GriffInn reopens. As the beating heart of our Union, it has, unfortunately been floundering over recent years. This refurb will be a much needed shot of energy to bring the enthusiasm, the life, back to this once heaving hub of hullaballo and other raucous social activity.
I’m proud to say that I make an effort to speak to as many of you as I can about what you love about BL and maybe also the stuff you’re not so fond of. Many of you have been telling me (even the new freshers!) of your fond memories of the GriffInn and how you will miss it over the next few months. It makes me smile to think that I’ve been part of the process that will see this much beloved haunt reinvigorated. Some things, of course, will never change.
The chief will always stand staunchly, proudly presiding over the Association and red beer will always flow, but the new services, new ideas and new experience that the GriffInn will have once it reopens will take it to a whole new level. I’m glad that I’ll still be a student to enjoy it with the rest of you next year. Till next week, George
Help me pedal bike theft to the forefront of the Queen Mary Manifesto Dom Bell VP Student Activities
In the last Qmessenger you may have read about the beginnings of a London Student Manifesto, or Queen Mary Manifesto, that will be used to get the London Mayoral candidates to understand and take on student issues. You may also have read an article by Ariane Osman who wrote about deaths as a result of cycling around the Bow Flyover roundabout. To add, the police
have also said the number one issue for them on our campuses is bike theft; a number of my friends here at QM over the past years have had their bikes nicked while on campus, and I’ve also lost two racing bikes while living in London. Lastly, my dad (of all people!?) has started a petition to make it a rule that bikes are registered at the point of sale to give the police a chance to recover
stolen bikes, prosecute thieves for once, and actually make bike insurance worth the paper it’s written on. In other words, as the London Mayoral Election becomes more of a priority for QMSU so are bikes getting a bigger profile. Consequently, three things for you to do if you’ve read this article: 1) Sign this petition and spread the word if you would like a more realistic chance of
not having your bike nicked ever again http://epetitions.direct.gov. uk/petitions/21876 2) Do you have a bike problem? Email me about it at vpactivities@ qmsu.org so it can go in to the Manifesto. 3) If you feel up to doing more, show your interest and get involved in the London Mayoral campaign and manifesto – email vpactivities@qmsu.org
I did International Relations and if I could intercalate I would do zoology Oscar Williamson VP Education & Welfare
This week I’ve been doing a lot about Intercalated BScs, which allow medical students to take a year out after their third year to study something different. Intercalating medics leave university as Bachelors of Medicine, Surgery, and Science, allowing them to more effectively intimidate non-medical types and receive minor discounts on car insurance.
Intercalating could usefully be expanded beyond the sciences. Economics, a discipline described by JK Galbraith as existing solely ‘to make astrology look respectable,’ suffers acute physics envy, and political science and positivist legal jurisprudence are anxious. Arts scholars seek refuge from the lack of certainty in their disciplines in all manner of quixotic laws and models.
These theories are then imposed upon unwitting BA students as fact, until the facts themselves change and the theory is debunked. I would refer you, by way of illustration, to the theories of revolution taught before the Arab Spring. Instead of doing something different, intercalating medics just do additional medicine – haematology, gastroenterology or an-
other specialism. This is a total missed opportunity. I did BA International Relations, and if I could intercalate I would do mechanical engineering, zoology, or maths. I would learn something new, and I would get the physics envy out of my system. I can think of a number of arts academics who would benefit from doing the same.
Today is a rather exciting day in the world of the QMessenger Media Group Sam Creighton VP Communications
Today (Monday) is a rather exciting day in the (admittedly small) world of QMessenger Media Group. It’s the first EVER meeting of the Collective. The brand-spanking shiny new (and indeed rather dazzling) group that keeps me, your friendly neighbourhood editor, and the lil old media empire that I oversee accountable. We’re discussing some pretty important things, none more so than finding a new editor for CUB maga-
comment@qmessenger.co.uk
zine. Unfortunately, the lovely and indefatigable Steph Pickerill, the editor of CUB for the year thus far has had to step down and is thus leaving quite sizable shoes to fill. And we all know what they say about people with big shoes...they’re very good magazine editors. I have been amazed at how many peeople have taken an interest in taking over from her in the postion. My
email account has been inundated I’m quite excited to find out who with hopeful hacks expressing their I’ll be working with for the rest of the ideas of how best to take the maga- year as, inevitably, I’ll end up spendzine forward. However (and thankfu- ing an inordinate amount of time with ly), it’s not my decision. who ever is elected. Each Collective memeber (peoAny student is able to come along ple who have contributed to CUB to the Collective and you all have the more than four times over the past 12 right to speak and ask the candidates months - there are nearly a hundred questions, so why not come along this of us at the moment) gets one vote on evening and 6pm in Francis Bancroft who should lead the publication for- 1.02.6A and do what you can to influward. ence what happens with your media.
12
QMESSENGER MONDAY NOVEMBER 21 2011
Satire All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Please don’t mistake anything on this page for fact.
A Dead Boring Game
Image by Kevin Powell (masochist)
Aaron Barber A board game believed to be the world’s most violent has been pulled from the shelves by trading standards in a storm of cross-party outrage. After eight deaths, the only party not lashing out against the game manufactures are the Green Party, whose MP, Graham Jones, last year described the world as “overpopulated”. The game, entitled ‘Stabbing’ and manufactured by Hasbro, is a version of Snakes and Lad-
ders featuring forfeit cards requiring players to follow violent instructions such as “Sellotape two paperclips to your fingers and stick them in the plug socket” and “bite down on a sewing needle if it goes into your top row of teeth move forwards three spaces if it enters your bottom set move back nine.” The game also includes cards instructing players to put a toothpick under their big toe nail and then kick a wall as hard as they can. Another simply requests them to stab the person immediately to the right of them. In another layer of violence all the cards are held in a modified mouse trap which will break the fingers of players who disturb the deck too much. The Prime Minister has described the game as “sick and unfortunately not broken”. The game makers plan to get around the ban by using a legal loophole, and marketing it as an educational game. “We’ll be back next year with a revised game featuring elements of Scrabble and even more senseless violence.”
Foot For Thought Indy Bullock Behaviour changes aimed at mitigating our frivolous selfish lifestyle is all you hear about in environmental discourse today. Washing at 30, triple glazing, and even abolishing ironing, are among the structural alterations that these would be environmentalists would have us believe will make a difference. However, isn’t it time to take a look back at ourselves and see what makes us human?! What makes us animal?! The answer might be so simple it’s looking right back at us. No need for consequentialist life changes where everyone suffers the burden of Mother Nature’s wrath. We were born with feet! We currently do everything with our unhygienic hands apart from walking (although some people can actually walk on their hands). If we are to lower our carbon foot prints we should start looking at our feet for the answer. If productivity and efficiency is really the answer to many environmental problems we face today, then we should start training ourselves to be more effective and not just with technology but with our bodies. In the past people used to use their feet with im-
satire@qmessenger.co.uk
punity from snide remarks, but today unfounded scientific allegations are made about the cleanliness of cooking or safely operating heavy machinery with our floor bound clutches. Discriminating against our feet has to end if we are ever going to catch up with the productivity of newly industrialised Indo-China. Their way of life is literally being held up by the extra capacity their feet bring to the table. I am writing this whole piece with my feet, whilst making lunch with my sweet overworked hands. I saved myself 30 minutes, .002 tons of carbon, and made an inedible mess. But this is just the beginning, not the end my friends.
“Monarchy overthrown as Martin Bashir interviews The Queen.” “As 7 billionth person is born, man falls off China.” “UK study shows, people who ask to borrow BluTac are knobheads.” “Dog bow-ties revolutionalise pet formal-wear market.” “Second coming of Christ, Jesus turns Coke into Pepsi.” “Sir David Attenborough found unconscious in pool of own sick outside Walkabout Brighton.”
Image by D.Clow Fact of the Week
Joke of the Week
Did you know...
Father Christmas gives more to rich kids than poor kids.
A man walks into a bookshop and says:“I hope you don’t have a book on reverse psychology.”
If you put your ear against a stranger’s back you can hear them say ‘What the fuck are you doing?’
Leif Halverson
Mya Medina
Leif Halverson
Theresa May? Theresa Nay. Image by staff at Wacky Warehouse
Aaron Barber
‘Snowscape Oil on Wood’ by David Cawthorne. (Painted by mouth but you get the picture).
Also in the news this week...
News In Briefs Zoe’s husband drowned last year in Tenerife. She said: “I am kept awake most nights by the screams of my husband drowning, I often wake up crying.”
Theresa May the Home Sectary, and Minister for Women and Equality, caused outrage last week after planning to change the term menopause to menostop. In her own words: “It is utterly ridiculous to have a term ending in pause when used to describe a stop, it’s not as if you can just start having periods again”. Womans’ rights groups have condemned her plan,
claiming: “It is every woman’s right to continue having periods after her menopause.” Obviously failing to note the medical improbability of this. The British Sexists Association chairman Richard Slapper had previously cited womankind’s failure to distinguish between pause and stop as the main reason women fail to use the VCR. The Prime Minister supported Theresa May by saying “women are sick and some of them are broken”. To be honest, I didn’t listen.
He’s really boring. They’re all really boring; that lumpy face in charge of Labour, he’s dull, I feel like kicking him in the balls to try and make him change his facial expression. Boris Johnson’s funny because he’s such a buffoon, well funny for a few minutes until you realise “this man is in charge of stuff!!! Actual stuff!!! Stuff that could affect my life!!! A city of 7 million people made this man in charge of actual stuff!!!” At that point it becomes really, really scary.
13
QMESSENGER MONDAY NOVEMBER 21 2011
Games Sudoku
Sweaty Brow of the Week Riddle Me This There are 5 houses in 5 different colors In each house lives a person with a different nationality These 5 owners drink a certain type of beverage, smoke a certain brand of cigar, and keep a certain pet No owners have the same pet, smoke the same brand of cigar or drink the same drink. Here’s the question: Who owns the fish? The Brit lives in a red house The Swede keeps dogs as pets The Dane drinks tea The green house is on the left of the white house The green house owner drinks coffee The person who smokes Pall Mall rears birds The owner of the yellow house smokes Dunhill The man living in the house right in the middle drinks milk The Norwegian lives in the first house The man who smokes Blend lives next door to the one who keeps cats. The man who keeps horses lives next door to the man who smokes Dunhill The owner who smokes Blue Master drinks beer The German smokes Prince The Norwegian lives next to the blue house The man who smokes Blend has a neighbor who drinks water With these 15 clues the problem is solvable.
Last week’s answers: The answer to the riddle was: ‘It was daytime.’ The sweaty brow belonged to:
Image by Rogimmi
He’s screwed his country and will probably screw your teenage sister given half a chance, who is he ?
Across 1. Eternal (9) 6. Water barrier (3) 7. Precious gem (7) 9. Mistake (5) 10. One of the senses (5) 12. Expert (3) 13. Beer mug (5) 14. Score (5) 16. Very old (7) 18. Self (3) 19. Stage name (9) Down 1. Military chaplain (5) 2. Compunction (7) 3. Survival (9) 4. Fifth sign of the zodiac (3) 5. Emblem (5) 8. Tried (9) 11. Physician (7) 13. Frighten (5) 15. Tempest (5) 17. Drinking vessel (3)
James Murdoch
games@qmessenger.co.uk
14
QMESSENGER MONDAY NOVEMBER 21 2011
Societies Society in spotlight: QM and BL NeuroSoc
QM RAG: Shimmy to Shoreditch to relieve the itchy feet.... Daniel Kidby Ladies grab your dancing shoes, and men whip out your loudest bow tie, because Itchy Feet is (finally) coming to Queen Mary. It has taken the nation by storm with its funky beats drawing on influences from ska, reggae, funk, motown, rock & roll and more. If you are the type of person (like me) that is frustrated with the same dance club classics, Itchy Feet is the place for you. I went 2 months ago and was treated to a night of music I could only dream of in a club. Stevie Wonder was blasting, followed by the upbeat sounds of ELO and then to an insanely catchy mashup
Frances Larke Queen Mary and Barts and the London Neuroscience Society (NeuroSoc) was created in 2009, encompassing neurology, neurosurgery and academic neuroscience. NeuroSoc aims to encourage and inspire students who find neuroscience interesting and challenging, as well as providing the necessary expertise and skills to develop a successful career in this field. NeuroSoc has had a brilliant start to the year, with over 55 students attending our October “Career in Neurology” talk and monthly journal club numbers reaching record highs. This year, our journal clubs have provided stu-
dents with the opportunity to critically consider new research within the field of neuroscience. So far, our first two journal clubs, entitled “In utero exposure to cocaine delays postnatal synaptic maturation of glutamatergic transmission to the VTA” and “Turning fibroblasts into neurons”, have created some extremely exciting discussion between members. This month, we will be holding our annual “Career in Neurosurgery” talk, by Mr John Brecknell, an extremely well accomplished Neurosurgeon who carries out regular teaching at Bart’s and The London School of Medicine. John is a graduate of the MB/PhD programme in Cambridge where he carried out the
majority of his research in the field of central axonal regeneration. His neurosurgical training was completed in Glasgow and Melbourne, after which he was appointed his consultancy at Oldchurch Hospital, Romford (now Queen’s) in 2006. John’s sub-specialty interests include spinal neurosurgery and neuro-endoscopy. John always proves to be an enthralling speaker who loves to show his passion for neurosurgery as well as for teaching students. So please come along and join us for our “Career in Neurosurgery” Talk on November 24th 2011. To contact NeuroSoc please email neurosocqm@gmail.com To join NeuroSoc please visit neurosciencesociety@qmsu.org
Intoducing Queen Mary's First Transgender Representative representative on the committee. After suggesting the role, I received extremely positive feedback and have been supported by The accronym LGBT stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans- everyone. While I am one of two transgender students who regugender. I like to think of my idenlarly attend LGBT events, it is intity, even though it comes last, conceivable to me that there are as not least. However, we seem not more transgender students at to have been left behind. This is QM. It is more representative of demonstrated by the fact that, while I’m sure you all have a pret- a broader problem. A lot of transgender people choose to live as ty clear idea of what the first “stealth”, a slang term meaning three words mean, the last one they blend in with those who live still prompts confusion. as the genders they were assigned A transgender individual is at birth. I completely sympathise somebody who identifies with with those working so hard to live a different gender from the one as one’s chosen gender, and many they were assigned at birth. For would want to bask in the freeexample, I identify as male. Howdom of living as the person they ever I have had no medical interchose to be. vention and for legal purposes, I However, I believe this choice am female. I believe this doesn’t change anything, and it’s invasive is something which has held transgender people back and and patronising to tell me I don’t why we lack visibility and thereknow my own gender. fore acceptance. It is important to I wasn’t surprised to discover that the flourishing LGBT soci- let the fact that we are transgendered be known; it can only help ety did not feature a Transgender
Alex Samuel
societies@qmessenger.co.uk
people in responding in an accepting manner. The most important thing is that we, as the current generation, do the best we can to make it better for future transgender people. If we do not live our lives more openly, everything will continue in the cycle that we are currently in. This is why it meant so much to me to be appointed Transgender Officer; I can now give a voice to transgender students. It is also why it is so upsetting to me that there is not more of a transgender presence in the LGBT Society at Queen Mary, and why I would urge any transgender students to at least give attending a meeting a go. Everybody is extremely kind, accepting and friendly, and would be overjoyed to welcome you with open arms! To keep up to date with QM LGBT’s events email qmlgbt@ gmail.com or find us on Facebook at “Queen Mary LGBT Society”.
Grab your dancing shoes!
of Sexy Back by Justin Timberlake and Le Freak. Having made its way through many British universities, Queen Mary Rag society has decided to get a slice of the fun and create a Queen Mary exclusive event. With Itchy Feet’s best DJ’s we plan to bring the party to the East End. It will be at Concrete (in Shoreditch) on the 26th of November. If you want to come along and hear something, new, vibrant, and just plain different, then you can buy tickets for just £6 on itchyfeetonline.co.uk (where you can also hear a taste of some of the music). You will also be making a donation to charity so you can feel great about yourself in the process.
Image by TJR Photography (via Flickr CC)
15
QMESSENGER MONDAY NOVEMBER 21 2011
Sport
The week that was: poppies, racism and social media Shafi Musaddique Seven days isn’t long in the world of sport. For the footballing world, days become filled with the returning of seventy years worth of issues. Pre-Saturday, England v Spain, the symbol of strife and youth - the poppy - swarmed the media. The harbingers pecked its beak at FIFA - the world organisation of football bickered, bruised, and in the end, relented to a very British battering. Nobody can argue against the idea that the symbol of the poppy must be continued in remembrance: 90,000 people stood in a bowl of silence with the utmost respect. The veterans of world wars are minimal in numbers: the visual becomes important. At the same time, the question must be raised. Why does England have to have the fit over the poppy, causing the huff and the puff. Memorials and commemorations by the FA were bound to happen. Wembley was united in the stands to show the world that we still remember. Getting the poppy on the shirts was an idea that should have stayed an idea. However as much we all hate the prawn sandwich eating leaders of FIFA, their ‘political neutral’ stance must be applauded and respected. The repercussions of Englands insistence of privilege may leave a distasteful feeling in the years to come. Perhaps the Argen-
Poppies: pinning’s one colours to one chest. tinians will want to commemorate the Falklands war? Why not reinstate the desire for Iraqi women footballers to wear the headscarf during matches? Pandoras box has been opened. And so, the pandoras box that is
FIFA pressed the self-destruct button. Just an hour after the Football Association charged Luis Suarez with misconduct for racial abuse against Man.Utd’s Patrice Evra, head of FIFA, Sepp Blatter, claimed racism did not
TJ Jonson leads QM 4ths to a win... finally Alfie Sowden With the pain of four losses in four games under captain TJ ‘shins’ Johnson ripe in everyone’s heads, it was a struggle for many to get out of bed. However, today felt different. We only had to wait a record breaking 45 minutes past the supposed ‘meeting time’ for everyone to show up. Despite a distinct lack of shinnies from Shayan Khomami, QM 4ths felt well prepared. We even managed to dodge the huge bullet of having to share a coach with QM rugby - renditions of ‘who can take a baby’ still haunting many players. As we got to the holy ground that is Chislehurst we only had to wait another hour for RUMs 2nds to turn up, but then the game was on its way. QM started the brighter with Sowden striking a volley against the post. This was greeted with obscenities screamed at the
heavens as it did last week, while the fans wondered whether the QM striker could shake his Torres-esque jitters and actually score a goal. As a mundane goal kick bounced near the centre circle Jonson’s eyes lit up. This was his chance to put claims to rest about the luck of his goal against KCL 3rds. This was the moment he dreamt of last night. Unlike the aforementioned goal, unfortunately Johnson’s shot came in to contact with his boot and subsequently headed straight for the moon. The crowd moaned, all Jonson could do was hang his head. The only thing that could calm the restless crowd was a QM goal, and that’s what they got. A brilliant through ball by Parker fed Sowden down the flank. He cut across the 6ft 7 centre back, leaving him on the floor, and cooly slotted past the keeper. A goal that was matched in quality by the celebration as he slid into the arms of the jubilant team.
After the break RUMs continued to press and managed to get a goal. The score was 1-1. Their captain mustered his troops saying, ‘come on boys, it’s nil nil’. Max ‘butterfingers’ Zimmerman would have loved this to have been the truth as he is yet to keep a clean sheet this season. But it was definitely 1-1. Fortunately the troops were not mustered as QM took the lead again, Louis Lagayette (the Parisian Poacher) struck the ball into the roof of the net, sealing his place as top scorer in the team with a jaw-dropping two goals. Melling, desperate to make up for his impotence in front of goal claimed to get an assist, despite being on the other side of the pitch at the time, and limping as though he had ‘shat himself’. QM held on for their first win under Jonson. Alex Garbutt racks up another man of the match, making it 13 in just six games. Cokes and mars bars all round.
Image by José Marîa Cuellar exist on the football field. He further stated that any such possible racism should be rectified with ‘a hand shake’ and be accepted as banter. Perhaps he was lost in translation. But perhaps not. Those bald, pesky lead-
ers that claim to be democratic have landed themselves in boiling water, when so much work has been done by organisations to fight racism on and off the field. Cases such as the Suarez-Evra spat and the ongoing enquiry between Anton Ferdinand and John Terry show that racism still exists; it rears it ugly head from time to time. The strangeness of it all comes in two forms: racism has moved from outside the stadium - the fans and public - towards an on-the-field ugliness played out by the footballers. As with all forms of discrimination, it is unacceptable at best, intolerable at worst. Such intolerance has been expressed by social media. Twitter is now the fighting cause for all-causes. In reaction to Blatters statement, Twitter supremo Rio Ferdinand (and brother to Anton) lashed out at the bigotry of FIFA. A Norwich City official best expressed the way Twiiter can instantly engage clubs with fans: “if we have someone shouting racist abuse in the stands, we need other people to bring it to our attention - and we need people to do the same on Twitter”. Fighting the tyranny, shown in politics and non-politics, can be done at the type of a button, at the sound of a twitter type. Unfortunately for Sepp, he’s slipped into the blackhole of social media. FIFA may crumble under the Twitter generation.
ITCHY FEET
Saturday 26th November 10:00pm – 2:00am CONCRETE 56 Shoreditch High Street
Rock n’ Roll, Swing, Funk, Soul, Rhythm & Blues, Ska & more… www.itchyfeetonline.co.uk sport@qmessenger.co.uk
16
QMESSENGER MONDAY NOVEMBER 21 2011
Sport
England brave to beat the red sea of Spain Frankie Nevin A sell out crowd made their way to Wembley Stadium, probably more to see the best team in the world, rather than to see a makeshift England XI. However this was a game were the benefits of having a stubborn Italian at the helm clearly benefited England, who decided to adopt a ‘park the bus’ strategy. The giant nineteen year old monster that is Phil Jones was a big part of this plan, there to hassle and harry the Spanish midfield - one that oozed a collective of Xavi, Iniesta and Alonso. Much of the Spanish squad was, as ever, dominated by the Barcelona and Real Madrid squads. From the start England were left chasing shadows, but for all the Spaniards intricate triangles and pretty touches Joe Hart’s goal remained unthreatened. Whether it was the poppy debate, or the severe cold that descended from the night sky of North London, England seemed to be spectators for much of the game. Spain enjoyed 71 % of the possession but the key moment in the game came three minutes into the second half when Darren Bent’s header came off the crossbar and fell into the path of Frank Lampard, who put the ball in the
Wembley sparkles in the red and white pre-match.
Image by Shafi Musaddique
by Joe Hart, and then managed to miss the target from eight yards. In reality, conquering the world champions in a friendly does not mean much. Try telling that to the 90,000 crowd: mexican wave galore. Happy punters had a smile trudging onto the Metropolitan and Jubilee lines. England had held out for the most unlikely of results thanks to a solid defensive display most notably from
Scott Parker who is becoming one of England’s most important players. The England squad as a whole seems to be quietly bubbling in competition, with Euro 2012 approaching fast. It seems that England can win without their talisman Rooney. The real concern for Capello will be finding two types of first elevens: one that revolves around the United striker, and one that is craft-
back of the net for one of the easiest goals he will ever score. Goal number 1999 for England. From that point onwards it was a ‘backs against the wall job for England as Spain went searching for an equaliser, with England occasionally threatening to counter attack. Yet on this occasion Spain ran out of ideas and their only real chances fell to Fabregas, who on his return to London was first denied
ed more around the experience of the stand-in skipper as well as the youngsters. One musn’t forget the lengthy absentee Jack Wilshere, amidst the fledgling careers of Kyle Walker and Chris Smalling. The leadership of Lampard was also a reminder to his fiercest critics that is days aren’t yet numbered. Quietly, the ‘veteran’ should be confident of a place at the Euros. However, the trend is continuing towards the exuberance of youth. For the first tournament in a long while, places in defence, midfield and attack are not set in stone. Rio Ferdinand is losing both pace and a starting berth for club and country. Glen Johnson has Walker breathing down his neck. Steven Gerrard can not be forgotten - having outshone Lampard in the World Cup last summer. Questions lay waiting after the conclusion of the Euros. Fabio will leave, Redknapp could come in, and the poppy ban arguement will be long forgotten. The present situation seems alot more warmer for now. While this was not a particularly convincing win, it was a victory for English grit and character and to the delight of all Stoke City fans, it showed that there is more than one way to win a football match. Pity it may not have been but a win is a win.
Last minute win for Queen Mary Football Ingram’s ugly prediction ap- through ball from Adam McDaid. peared to be coming true in the QM then had the opportunity to first 10 minutes when Ash Sweet- add to their lead with Club Captain The two titans of ULU Division 3 man was transported back to his Alfie Meekings’ lob being cleared clashed at Chislehurst in a bruising childhood rugby playing days back off the line by some kamikaze deencounter in the first round of the in Wales, and decided to handle fending. With two centre-backs Vase. Having recovered from be- the ball in the area. There was to and the goalkeeper lying helpless ing three goals down within twenty be a rare collector’s item from the on the floor, Ariq Husain sportminutes to snatch a draw last time resulting spot-kick though, with ingly blazed the resulting chance out away at LSE, most of the 5ths half-English, half-Bulgarian keep- wildly over the bar from baresquad was in an optimistic frame er Sean Mahoney diving low to his ly a few yards out to end the half. King’s had looked dangerous of mind. The King’s medics im- left to keep the game scoreless. This spurred on the team and from every set-piece and equalpressive goal scoring record of 26 in five games worried one member their hard work paid off midway ised early in the second half, folof the squad however, with central through the half with Alex Cope lowing some lacklustre marking midfielder Mitch Ingram declaring poking the ball past the on rush- allowed a free header at goal. Ma“We are going to get battered today.” ing King’s keeper after a delightful honey appealed for a foul but the
Adam McDaid
sport@qmessenger.co.uk
Tom Selleck lookalike of a referee didn’t agree, much to the chagrin of Captain Sam Lowe. As the game rolled on and the tension increased, both sides missed glorious opportunities to seal the game, with Meekings and McDaid particularly at fault. Extra-time was going to be needed to separate the two favourites for the competition and Lowe took a massive gamble by reverting to the English classic 4-4-2 and introducing goalless 4th team striker Max Melling. It proved to be a masterstroke when, with only two minutes remaining, superb work
by Sweetman released Melling one on one with the keeper. With the chance to bag his first Queen Mary goal in four years and book the 5th place in the Quarter Finals, Melling did not disappoint coolly slotting the ball in the bottom corner sparking wild celebrations. There was still time for towering centre-back Andy Durr to survive a last minute penalty shout but Magnum P.I. blew for full time moments later, leaving the King’s medics players lying outstretched all over the pitch at Chissy with their QM conquerors marching on to the next round. Que sera, sera!