• Mash Talk Episode 1

    Tom Bennett, Max Skene and Sahil Sharma Join Tom, Max and Sahil for the inaugural episode of Mash Talk on Impact Podcasts! This week, the guys chat finance, superstitions, cults and current events. Please be aware that this podcast contains brief discussions of suicide cults. Tom Bennett, Max Skene...
  • The Irish abortion referendum: dividing a nation

    The results of the Irish abortion referendum on May 25th revealed that the Yes campaign, in favour of legalising abortion, had won by an unprecedented majority, securing 66.4% of the vote, with a turnout of 64.1% of the electorate. Under current law, abortion in Ireland is illegal in almost...
  • An interview with Dr Rory Cormac, UoN’s Russia expert

    In the last month, the balance of global power has shifted again – minutely but perceptibly, making it the job of the curious observer to reassess the lie of the land. The political reverberations caused by the poisoning of one Russian ex-double agent, Sergei Skripal, and his daughter on...
  • Take it from a Londoner, Corbyn is right about de-centralisation

    Last week, Jeremy Corbyn, speaking at the EEF Manufacturers’ Organisation, announced that he would curb London’s power if he ever became Prime Minister. This shouldn’t come as a shock. A “fundamental shift” in the country’s economic policy has always been one of Corbyn’s most appealing promises, but a move...
  • Why tuition fees are basically irrelevant

    I recently overheard two teenage girls on the bus talking about the prospect of going to university. They were considering it, but one of them, in particular, was massively put off by the ‘huge amount of debt’ it will put you in. “Even if you go to Australia to...
  • Stop focusing on tuition fees, start focusing on the real university issues

    On the one hand, Theresa May should be congratulated. Admitting that tripling the tuition fee cap to £9,000 in 2012 was a mistake is admirable. Expecting an increase in fees to create competition, rather than all universities just charging as much as possible without any change in where best...
  • Why plans to fine universities that fail to defend free speech are an overreaction

    On Boxing Day the Minister for Universities, Jo Johnson, announced that next year a new regulating body will be set up, with the power to fine universities that fail to defend free speech. This is chiefly a response to the NUS’ policies on no-platforming, where students’ unions prevent speakers...