Comment's Review of 2013 at Exeter

With 2013 coming to a close, Online Comment editors James Bennett and Dave Reynolds attempt to round up the major issues that have got us talking this year.We’ve even let you in on a secret about how we got our jobs in the first place.

SSB Cancelled.

Exeter was rocked by mass media attention surrounding the Safer Sex Ball and The Ram’s Not Safe For Work CCTV footage. This led to the cancellation of the iconic event for future years. The decision was met with a great deal of hostility, with people no longer having an acceptable excuse to dance around in their pants in public.  After winning the Sunday Times University of the Year award for 2012, this was not the start to 2013 we were really looking for.

Photo Credit: Exeposé

Cocaine on Campus.

We were in further trouble after it was discovered that students and faculty alike had been dabbling in the only kind of snow that ever comes through Exeter. Everyone was shocked that some young people with lots of disposable income and spare time engage in recreational drug use. What was more exciting was the fact that some of the areas that tested positive for the substance were faculty only.

So we’re paying through the nose just for our faculty to snort it back up theirs?
Photo Credit: Foxtongue via Compfight cc

Exeposé accidentally elects two simpletons.

On March 12th we wrote a manifesto for a role we possibly didn’t understand. A day later, we were giving a speech desperately trying to convince a room full of people we’d never met that we were a better option than re-opening nominations. Thankfully, we won. With as much jounalistic experience as the Chuckle Brothers (apologies to them if they have some!), we were unaware of quite how difficult and time-consuming the job would be. Regardless, we were thrown in at the deep end, with our first major job being to cover a national party conference.

Pictured: Less journalistic experience. Much better moustaches.
Photo Credit: BBC via The Daily Hawk

UKIP’s Spring Conference.

In what was a very busy and succesful year for UKIP, their Spring Conference at the Great Hall was an opportunity for them to prove themselves as a serious force in British politics. What entailed was a day of old white people laughing themselves silly at xenophobic humour, Bulgarian extremists and Nigel Farage’ boundless wit. By the afternoon, most of the audience had nodded off, and we’d gone home.

What unfortunate timing.
Photo Credit: dullhunk via Compfight cc

Are boobs news?

With people trying to their best to put off revision, an almighty ‘debate’ took place on Facebook surrounding whether or not The Sun should be removed from guild outlets. It all got a bit heated, with the arguments tailing away from substance to more personal and unnecessary attacks. When it came to the vote,  the turnout was very impressive for University election standards, pulling in well over 2000 votes.

“From now on, page 3 will consist entirely of stories about adorable rescued animals.”
Photo Credit: AndyRobertsPhotos via Compfight cc

Blurred Lines.

No. No more. This ends now.
Photo Credit: N3sta via Giphy

E-E-EDL

The run up to their national demonstration saw tensions rise in Exeter as counter demonstrations were organised and fears of a presence on campus drove many to exclaim, “Ooh-er!” and, “Blimey”. The day was largely made up of incoherent ranting and marching about the streets of Exeter with seemingly no real message or purpose. Quite frankly, we were all quite relieved when they all went back home. A shout out to the Exeter Together campaign, which celebrated all things good about Exeter throughout the morning.

 

We never met her, but apparently Sharon Lawes did something to piss these guys off.
Image Credits: Niklas Rahmel

 

So it’s been quite an eventful year. Here’s to next year. We hope you’ve enjoyed our coverage throughout the term on all of the major events. Sorry if you haven’t. You’ve only got to put up with us until March and then there will be some new people! Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

James Bennett and Dave Reynolds, Online Comment Editors

Have we missed anything? Leave a comment below or write to the Comment team at the Exeposé Comment Facebook Group or on Twitter @CommentExepose.

 

 

 

Comment With: Liberal Democrats

Exeposé Comment caught up with Alex Whattam, President of Exeter University Liberal Democrats to discuss tuition fees, UKIP and how to get young people engaged in politics.

Exeposé Comment: What will be a good result for the Liberal Democrats at the 2015 General Election?

Alex Whattam: Retaining our number of seats. It was clear that the vote share of a minor party in a coalition would take a hit given how long it has been since Westminster has had a coalition. Our MPs on average have a net positive approval rating from their own constituents, unlike the other main parties, which will be a big factor in helping us retain these seats. Hopefully this will also include a situation where we can make a difference in government and enact our policies.

Photo Credits: Liberal Democrat Society

EC: Why should a student vote for the Liberal Democrats?

AW: Our achievements in government. Without trying to sound like a Python-esque “What have the Lib Dems ever done for us?” skit: £700 tax cut that helps graduates in work, more jobs, economic growth, the green investment bank, ID cards scrapped, libel law reformed, ended DNA storage of innocent people, ended child detention in immigration cases, cutting the period of detention without trial and equal marriage. Something else I’m personally very proud of is the work done by Nick Clegg and “Internet Hero of the Year” Julian Huppert MP against Theresa May’s snoopers charter which would have allowed UK governments to monitor our internet browsing. I don’t agree with everything the Liberal Democrats have voted for but I believe they are best for Britain. Stronger economy, fairer society.

EC: Are you happy with tuition fees being £9000 per year?

AW: No. I would much prefer a system where University education was free. However I’m not in favour of gimmick policies to reduce fees which would only benefit those already earning a pretty decent salary. Application rates from disadvantaged groups has reached record levels so those who were saying that Liberal Democrats in government have hurt the prospects of the poorest students were wrong.

EC: Is Nick Clegg leading the Liberal Democrats well?

AW: Yes, we’ve enacted most of our policies in a government where we have about a sixth of the MPs in the coalition. No matter who was our leader in 2010, they would have had to make the same difficult decisions. I’m thankful that Nick Clegg had the guts to go into a coalition with the only party available to do so, instead of being spineless and hoping a minority government was unpopular so we could increase our vote share at an early election.

EC: What do you think can be done to get more young people engaged in politics?

AW: I can understand why a lot of young people are disenfranchised with our current political system. However it is worrying when a lot of under-represented groups seem to believe that by refusing to vote politicians still have an incentive to enact legislation that benefits them. I have not encountered a situation where there were zero candidates in a constituency worth somebodies vote. We can’t get young people to vote if we don’t get more young people involved in political parties. It will be difficult to convince politicians to enact legislation that favours a new generation of voters if those politicians don’t hear us on a daily basis.

EC: Do you have any plans of a career in politics after you’ve completed your degree?

AW: Not in the slightest. I have a lot of respect for those who get into politics because it is a really tough game however it’s not for me.

EC: Are UKIP replacing the Liberal Democrats as the alternative vote from the main two parties?

AW: There was always an element of the Liberal Democrats being a party of protest and now that we are a party of government it seems that UKIP has become the go-to protest party. While UKIP are ahead of us in some polls I don’t think that will translate to the number of votes in the 2015 elections. It will be very interesting to see how UKIP fares once their policies are given scrutiny, although I’m sure it will be branded by their party as a smear campaign. I’m personally very against UKIP because of what they say about climate change, specifically in their energy manifesto. They show a huge lack of basic scientific understanding and research, clearly copying the same rubbish that has been debunked by scientists time and time again.

EC: We had another lecture strike on Tuesday. What are your thoughts on the issue?

AW: Striking is an important part of a modern democracy, when it is necessary. I hope the University and the lecturers are able to sort out their differences with minimal obstruction to learning.

James Bennett and Dave Reynolds

Leave a comment below or write to the Comment team at the Exeposé Comment Facebook Group or on Twitter @CommentExepose. If a society or organisation that you are involved in is interested in appearing in this feature, contact us at exepose-comment@xmedia.ex.ac.uk.

Comment with: The Freedom Society

Exeposé Comment got together with Liam Taylor, President of the Freedom Society, over a curry to discuss FreedomSoc’s plans for the coming year and their place in university politics.

Exeposé Comment: All of the societies had a busy Freshers’ week trying to sign up as many people as possible. How did you fare?

Liam Taylor: Freshers’ week was very good, a very busy time for us, every society really, but we were happy, we’ve increased membership again this year so we’re going up and up. In just over a year we have gone from one of the smallest societies at the University to one of the biggest political societies. We’re now level pegging  with the other big political societies and it’s just a case of building on last year’s success.

“As a society, broadly we are quite euro-sceptic… We’re in favour of free markets. We want lower taxes but I believe these views represent many more people than just the 15% who say they’d vote for UKIP.”
Photo Credit: Exeter Guild

EC: Obviously you weren’t competing on a level playing field  with some political societies allowing free membership such as the Liberal Democrats. What do you think about that?

LT: Obviously it’s a bit unfair when some societies have an advantage over others.  I think that if they’re allowed to charge free membership, I think that we should be able to as well. It would be a big bonus. It should be a level playing field.

EC: Some people on campus see you as the UKIP society but hiding under a different name. How would you respond to those claims?

LT: We get this quite a lot but it’s not true.  We make a point of not being affiliated to any party and I don’t think there is that much of an overlap to merit the comparisons. UKIP’s big thing is being anti-EU. As a society, broadly we are quite euro-sceptic. I’ll probably get into trouble with a few members for generalising a little bit too much but I’d say we’re in favour of a referendum but then so is a lot of the country. We’re in favour of free markets. We want lower taxes but I believe these views represent many more people than just the 15% who say they’d vote for UKIP.

EC: Over the last few months the economy has shown small signs of improvement. Are you optimistic for the future?

LT: As I mentioned during the cross-party leaders’ debate last week, I don’t think that this is sustainable growth. It’s a bit of window dressing largely due to George Osborne’s flagship ‘Help to Buy’ scheme which is inflating the same housing bubble that burst causing the crisis in the first place.  It’s a bit of political manipulation to try and get them over the next election but all of our structural problems remain as bad as ever.

EC: You briefly touched upon the leaders’ debate there, how do you think it went? Do you think that we can see more in the future?

LT: Yes, definitely, I think it was a really good event. There was lots of participation from the audience. It’s always good to debate with people who have opposing views just to discuss ideas.  I’d be happy to do more, at the moment we haven’t talked about doing more but I think the other Presidents are quite keen so hopefully we will see more of those down the line.

EC: Obviously being head of a political society sets you up nicely for a career in politics. Is this something that you’re going to look at pursuing?

LT: I get asked this quite a lot, but no, I’m not interested to get into politics in the slightest. I find it hard to align myself with any political party. I’m too stubborn and unwilling to toe any party line and do all of the necessary lying and selling out that it takes to climb up the greasy pole of politics.

EC: At the moment we’re in conference season and all the parties are gearing themselves up for the 2015 general election. How do you see that going?

LT: I take the uncontroversial opinion that there will be another hung parliament. I can’t see any party having the strength to muster a majority. The Conservatives are picking up a bit but I can’t see anyone who didn’t vote for Cameron in 2010 voting for him this time round. I think UKIP only need about 6% of the vote to cripple any chances of a majority for better or for worse. It’s the same with Labour. Ed Miliband has been drifting further to the left, making his party more unelectable by the day and the Liberal Democrats are still as unpopular as ever after stabbing students in the back.  So I think all three of the main parties are in a lot of trouble. It will just be a question of who is in the least worst position.

EC: What Freedom Society events have you got coming up in the next few weeks?

LT: We’ve got our first big social after Freshers’ which takes place on Wednesday at George’s Meeting House. There’ll be a free drinks deal for members. Hopefully if anyone hasn’t already joined  they’ll be able to sign up on the night. We’re putting a couple of hundred quid behind the bar which should be a good return on peoples’ £5 membership fee. We make sure to make all our events open to non-members as well. Later in the term, we’re having a big EU debate– an event jointly held with Labour on the 7^th October. We’ve got some MEPs  coming down and a few think tankers and directors of Better Off Out so it should be a good debate to kick off the term.

Dave Reynolds and James Bennett, Online Comment Editors

Have FreedomSoc done enough to disassociate themselves with UKIP or any other political party? Following the cross-party debate, do they deserve their place on an inter-party panel? Leave a comment below or write to the Comment team at the Exeposé Comment Facebook Group or on Twitter @CommentExepose. If a society or organisation that you are involved in is interested in appearing in this feature, contact us at exepose-comment@xmedia.ex.ac.uk.

Where next for British politics?

Image credits: tolomea

Head, as ever, up in the political clouds, Online Features Editor Imogen Watson anticipates the General Election 2015.

It has been a funny old these last three-and-a-bit years since the current coalition government was elected to power back in May 2010.

We have seen the rapid decrease in the Liberal Democrats already-muted popularity, a sad surge in support for the United Kingdom Independence Party, ministers hurried in to and shepherded out from the Cabinet and more politicians making stupid comments, and some of them intentionally. Sadly the latter is not something that can only be attributed to Britain, but neither are our elected representatives succeeding in blazoning a path towards common sense.

The Conservative-led government has become quite the talented driver, performing incredible numbers of U-turns at rapid speeds. It has become quite the disappointment, too, that is if anyone was expecting anything impressive from them by now.

Granted, regardless of political affiliation, the situation
the government inherited was not far short of terrible; economies beginning to collapse worldwide and ordinary people worrying about what future was to come, at a loss to explain quite how this had happened. Since hitting recession under the last Labour government in 2008, only a few will have been lucky to have avoided the effects. I, for one, have only really had any money of my own since the recession began, and so having got used to the current situation hope that there will be a day in the future where my money stretches a lot further than it does now. One can dream.

 

Image credits: The Prime Minister’s Office

But there is a window for improvement, and the government has missed it. The UK, not having been as badly affected as certain other European economies, is one of the last to pull itself towards the vague light of recovery, after more than three years of a new government. “Pull” is, perhaps, the wrong verb here. Let us go instead for “drag”. The latest news of hope that the economy is heading in the right direction is pretty pathetic. We ought to have been receiving this news along with the United States, instead of watching our credit rating being downgraded and hearing warnings of a triple-dip recession. How embarrassing, somebody get a grip.

As I pointed out, however, life should be looking up, after all four thousand fewer people were unemployed last month than in June, and David Cameron says that this is “encouraging”.

What he neglected to comment on is that actually youth unemployment is up, again, and the number of people undergoing long-term unemployment is up too – again. Unemployment in the West Midlands? That’s up too, to just a smidgen under one in ten people, a region which once employed so many in manufacturing and industry and is now in danger of serious neglect. I wish one could even say this particular region’s figures were the worst of the bunch, but one cannot. Encouraging? David Cameron, I am afraid, is simply out of touch.

The Coalition has been prone, as most governments are, to hurl the blame backwards in time to the Labour Party – in politics, where the diciest of relationships occur, it most certainly is always a case of “it’s not me, it’s you”. This attitude sticks for a while, but nearly three and a half years down the line, is it not time a government started taking responsibility for its actions, when numerous experts have openly criticised spending plans because they do not look to have the right, or indeed any, effect?

The problems are not only economic. Recently certain boroughs of London were treated to the sight of vans scaremongering both legal British citizens and illegal immigrants alike: go home or face arrest. It was Vince Cable – a Liberal Democrat partner in the Coalition – to stand out from the government and point out that actually, “We have a problem but it’s not a vast one. It’s got to be dealt with in a measured way dealing with the underlying causes.” According to the New Statesman, David Cameron may not have even been aware of the campaign before it happened.

Numerous issues are damaging this government – I could continue for hours. Not through misfortune, but through poor decisions, and a great (meaning large, not fantastic) game of blame and pass-the-buck. The problem is that viable alternatives are not currently waiting in the wings.

We need a good, honest (I cannot stress that enough), thorough debate on the issues. We do not need more coalitions, failed promises and people wondering what they are paying politicians for. It is fair to say that the Liberal Democrats, like beforehand, are in no likely position to be forming a stable government any time soon, nor even the largest party. The UKIP fun and laughter is dying down or at least beginning to flatline, and heaven forbid it should increase again as more and more of their candidates out themselves as bigoted and xenophobic ignoramuses. Even if they were to surprise me in 2015, their support will be the Lib Dems’ old problem – spread too thinly across the nation to gain any great number of seats.

Labour really needs to pull its act together. Although lots of people continue to struggle through benefit changes,

“Fresh ideas”? Where are they?
Image credits: EdMiliband

lack of jobs to go around, increased student fees, rising debt, payday loans and more, there is an indication that life is looking up and it is an indication to which public feeling has latched on at least a little. Labour policies are lacking in response, and even my mother is considering not voting in 2015 (trust me, that means something). The Party shed its bigwigs and party elders – perhaps they should bring them back again. There is a mini squabble going on at the top of the Labour Party which is helping nobody’s public image, and instead of coming out fighting, united, there is a whole lot of nothing coupled with one or two mishaps to fill the gap and get everybody talking – about the wrong thing.

Something tells me that since Andy Burnham (Shadow Secretary of State for Health) piped up in the not too distant past, Labour policy may be just around the corner. I hope so, and I hope the wait has made it good, or it might be too little, too late.

Imogen Watson, Online Features Editor

The UKIP effect – the aftermath

William Cafferky discusses UKIP’s current political position, and where it could lead.

UKIP has risen from the ashes of European economic collapse – emerging as an increasingly formidable party political force in the UK. The slump of the single currency, and increased scrutiny of political decision makers in Brussels may provide obvious rationale behind the growth of anti-European parties both in a domestic and foreign capacity throughout the EU. However, national issues, rather than the struggles of the EU, perhaps best explain UKIP’s success.

Image credit: Jennifer Jane Mills

UKIP is anti-systemic, and it is within this role that it maybe garners most of its support. Since the controversy of the Thatcher era, the Conservatives have preached a message of compassion and pragmatism. It epitomized the evolution of UK party politics from grass-roots polarized ideologies towards centrist pragmatism.

Under John Major, and now under Cameron, the Conservative party finds itself divided. Some feel that the party has strayed too far from its right-wing heritage, increasingly becoming merely a cog in the political machine. UKIP has presented apathetic Tory voters with an opportunity to jump ship. Their hardline anti-immigration policies, socially conservative and nationalist policies embody Thatcherite politics.

It was arguably merely a matter of time until the squeezed middle of party politics produced an extremist ideological party. UKIP itself hasn’t really had to fight too hard for electoral success. Nonetheless, the party faces a defining moment in its political history come the 2015 general election. Should Farage climb eagerly in to bed with Cameron in a new coalition, he runs the risk of his party fading into the back benches.

Conversely, should UKIP shy away from coalition, there’s a high chance their populist bubble could burst, and the party could fade into the background. Whilst the country may be divided over its European membership, as previously mentioned, this isn’t in fact the defining component of UKIP’s success.

What sets UKIP apart from the 3 main parties is decisiveness. Whilst their goals are questionable there is no denying their existence. Whilst Milliband, Cameron and Clegg find themselves in a perpetual u-turn on significant policy issues, UKIP is defiantly anti-state, anti-EU, anti-immigration and anti-tax.

Ultimately the growth of UKIP is a worrying sight for Labour and Socialists alike. Comparisons between UKIP and the BNP are perhaps exaggerated, however the reality is almost equally harrowing. Parties such as UKIP perpetuate the myth that immigration is the greatest villain in the war on unemployment. Furthermore, whilst many have bemoaned the coalitions attack on the welfare state, in reality it pales in significance next to the prospect of UKIP-Conservative coalition. Such a government could signal the end of the NHS in its current format, and a return to the hierarchical Thatcherite policies that were arguably to blame for the recent collapse of the banks, and the alienation of the poorer members of society.

This is a somewhat apocalyptic forecast, which is arguably exaggerated and undoubtedly subjective. Regardless of the supposed progress, the UKIP party is still very much in its infancy. There is a distinct possibility that it may suffer the same fate as “Cleggomania” and underperform at the general election. Furthermore, even if it gains more than twenty seats, coalition may ultimately damage the party’s anti-systemic reputation.

There are multiple hoops for Farage and his followers to jump through in the path to the political main stage. The greatest hope for the political left is that they fall before they reach there. Regardless of political allegiance however, UKIP currently presents us with a genuine challenge to the status quo of mainstream politics. It is impossible to presently predict whether the party will spread its proverbial wings, or return to the ashes of mediocrity.

William Cafferky

Has Farage 'Lost the Plot' in Scotland?

Following the protests against Nigel Farage and UKIP in Edinburgh, Online Features Editor Meg Lawrence assesses UKIP’s position in Scotland, and asks Scottish student Kyle Pryke for his opinion on the matter.

Nigel Farage has once again grabbed headlines, this time with his controversial visit to Scotland and the protests he left in his wake.

Following the protest Farage faced upon his visit to Edinburgh, he accused Scottish Nationalism as being “akin to fascism.”

Farage tries to leave protest in a taxi.
Image Credits- BBC

Speaking to the Good Morning Scotland programme shortly after the protest, Farage stated: “The anger, the hatred, the shouting, the snarling, the swearing was all linked in to a desire for the Union Jack to be burnt.” He also told BBC Radio Four’s Today Programme that the protesters were “filled with a total and utter hatred of the English.”

In response, a spokesperson for the SNP (Scottish National Party) said: “Anyone who heard the interview with Nigel Farage on BBC this morning would have thought he has completely lost the plot.”

Amidst the extremes of opinion, what do Scottish people feel about the situation of UKIP in Scotland?

Exeposé asked Exeter student Kyle Pryke, who is from Scotland, whether he believes UKIP stand a chance there. He said: “From a personal point of view their policies and aims are very problematic, and due to our government’s transparency in Scotland, UKIP’s flaws are easily seen. I would argue that their chances in Scotland are slim at best.”

Pryke doesn’t see the protests as a demonstration of English hatred. He told Exeposé: “The protests were justified on the basis of calling out UKIPs policies and ideologies, and making it clear that many people in Edinburgh do not support them.”

“Scotland’s students are far more vocal about their parliamentary representatives than many of the students I have met whilst here in Exeter, so it comes as no surprise that some people here are a little shocked by the strong response to UKIP’s presence in Edinburgh. I would also like to make it clear that no crimes, as of yet, were committed during these protests so I feel it was very justified.”

Indeed, there was no protest at the UKIP conference held in Exeter University’s Great Hall, despite the fact that many students were outraged that such an association was being made with the University. Exeposé asked Pryke whether he thought that students who oppose UKIP in Exeter should have taken the same action at the conference. He said: “If people disagree with UKIP strongly then they should have protested, or done something to make them aware of Exeter’s position on their policies.”

“Some people may agree with UKIP and support them, that’s fine, go out and show support. If you don’t and you feel that strongly about it, protest. Stand up and be counted no matter which side of the fence you sit on. It’s when people actively avoid this decision and do nothing that the real damage is done.”

Protests are often manipulated by the accused in order to make their opponents appear to simply be causing trouble. In the case of Edinburgh, Farage has done just that.

It is about time he took heed from these protests, and accepts the fact that there are many, not only in Scotland, who oppose his policies. UKIP may have had a recent surge in success, but whether it lasts for long is another matter.

Meg Lawrence, Online Features Editor

The Man of the Hour?

Exeposé Features meet the leader of Britain’s most controversial political party, Nigel Farage.

EXETER’S Great Hall recently played host to one of its more curious weekend events: the UKIP party conference. Campus was flooded with more than the usual amount of tweed jackets and wealthy people. When I caught up with him, Nigel Farage was quietly lurking at the back of the hall. “Can we go outside?” he asks, “I’d like to have a smoke, and they won’t let me in here.” So far, so Farage.

Nigel Farage is certainly the politician of the hour. His poll ratings are up, the popularity of the EU is down, and he is increasingly

Image Credits- The Guardian

snatching the limelight from the other political big beasts.  Many heavyweights in the main parties privately admit they are worried about the effect that Farage’s party, the “party for beer-drinkers, taxi drivers and patriots”, will have on the next election.

And Farage knows it. “The European Elections will be an opportunity for us to cause an earthquake in British politics”, he says with a mischievous grin.  His recent appearances on Sky and the BBC are doing more and more to solidify UKIP as a serious and distinct challenger to Labour and the Conservatives.  What are they offering which is so different? “The politics of principle”, Farage explains, “We’ve got some ideas and we’re not constrained by political correctness.” He knows all too well that his greatest strength, UKIP’s place outside the ‘political class’, may be the other parties’ greatest weakness.

Farage is keen on this distinction; being British politics’ most high profile ‘outside man’. He makes a point of distancing himself from the other party leaders, explaining this was part of his reasoning behind rejecting the much-speculated pact with the Conservatives after David Cameron’s promise of an EU referendum. “I don’t think I trust him. There are some people you can shake hands with and think a deal’s a deal, and I don’t really place Cameron in that category.” But he’s all too flattering about his fellow Westminster misfits. “I like Boris very much. And Michael Gove, I like Gove. If there was a different leader who would listen to our views, rather than dismiss them out of hand with insults, then maybe the situation could change.”

At this point of the interview, Farage’s phone goes off. “Hello, hello.”, he barks into his Blackberry, “I’m doing an interview, I’ll ring you back.” With a last deep puff, his cigarette burns down to the end, and he presses it into the ground with his patent leather brogues. “Where were we then?”

Given the recent problems some UKIP candidates have had in the local elections, Farage knows it isn’t all rosy in the UKIP garden. “There are one or two image issues that could be more positive”, he says, “perhaps we look a little old fashioned to some people.” As it moves into poll position as the favourite for the European Elections in 2014, UKIP is facing significant teething problems.  Despite its efforts in Eastleigh, UKIP was unable to secure that all-important first seat in Parliament. Farage is aware of the ongoing predicament that he tends to get higher approval ratings than his party colleagues, but is adamant that a UKIP victory in Eastleigh wouldn’t have been assured by a little Farage charm. “I’m not particularly sure I would have done any better”, he insists dismissively, but with uncharacteristic evasiveness.

Given his experience losing to Speaker John Bercow in the 2010 General Election, he might be right. “I enjoyed running and I was freed from responsibilities of being party leader, which was a tremendous relief” Farage explains, with a throaty chuckle. Even on the subject of his plane crash, he seems unperturbed. “You do things in life; some of them work, some of them don’t, and it didn’t finish up very well but there you are.”

But he sees many, many green shoots for UKIP in the future. While right-wing parties tend to struggle with the youth vote, Farage’s UKIP have found it a lot easier to attract a fresher, younger demographic. For him, Europe is their golden ticket to getting beyond the grey vote: “We think Europe is a little back yard run by a load of unelected old men. Going round universities, there is a terrific amount of support for our ideas.” UKIP’s youth wing is reinventing itself, and may well end up sizeable force in student politics.

From the conference hall, we hear applause from the audience. An elderly lady waits patiently inside for an audience with the party leader. Farage glances towards the door, then his watch. It’s almost time for his big speech.

He still has time for one last hurrah. Nigel Farage is, for the moment, UKIP’s one-man-band, but his Deputy Paul Nuttal is increasingly moving into the spotlight. “He’s very young”, Farage notes, “but he’s bald so he looks old. Bald people always look old. They look ancient at 30, and at 80 they look young, it’s very very strange.“ With that, he rolls his eyes upwards, turns on his heel, and disappears inside.

UKIP has many problems, but after this conference, the party is definitely on a high. And with its politician-turned-celebrity, Nigel Farage, at the helm, we can expect to see much more from Britain’s political mavericks.

James Roberts, Features Editor

Aftermath of the Council Elections: the State of the Parties

Following the recent Council Elections, online comment editor Dave Reynolds assesses the position of the key political parties, and their standing for the General Election in 2015.

With more than 2300 county seats up for grabs across England, recent Council Election results leave the main political parties with much to ponder, with the General Election in 2015 fast approaching. The Conservatives lost well over 300 seats across England and see their nationwide support down at about 32% in Yougov polls. This is largely down to some typical Conservative voters turning to the Nigel Farage party (aka UKIP).

Many say that the Conservatives should take UKIP seriously, but I believe that Tories currently voting for UKIP out of protest will come home to the party in time for the general election in 2015 and support for UKIP will dwindle. Farage will still be happier than he was at the 2010 Election; he will have a higher vote share and possibly a seat in parliament, as long as he doesn’t crash his plane again! Despite making small gains across England in the county council elections, Labour need to do far more to appeal to the ‘working man’ if they have any plans of governing in 2015.

Image Credits- BBC

The Conservatives are faced with a very difficult dilemma. Should Cameron seek a more right wing agenda and take a tougher stance on immigration, EU and law an order in an attempt to lure dissatisfied voters back from UKIP? That is what he is doing. But I believe it is the wrong way to go.

We shouldn’t be listening to UKIP. These angry Tories seeking to protest in a mid-term election will come back to the Conservatives at the general election as they will come to their senses and see that a split right will pave the way for Ed Miliband and the Labour Party to walk back into power. David Cameron needs to stick to the ‘modernising’ plan he had when first elected leader of the Conservatives in 2005.  In order to win the 2015 election he needs to be wooing voters on the centre ground, not concentrating on the far right. They will come back to you, Dave!

Looking at the Labour Party, all economic indicators suggest they should be way ahead in the polls. With growth flat-lining, living standards falling and inequality in the UK at an all-time high, Ed Miliband should be preparing his victory speech for 2015. But unfortunately, he has not been brave enough to really say anything. Nobody knows what his economic plan is. While a fiscal stimulus (for example a VAT cut or an increase in government spending on infrastructure) is a credible option, he is too afraid to say it as he fears admitting to more borrowing would be political suicide. It wouldn’t even necessarily increase the budget deficit.

We’re spending so much money on welfare because unemployment is still stubbornly high, a fiscal stimulus that gets more people into work would obviously cut welfare payments as unemployment will fall and tax receipts would rise. But he’s too afraid to admit the deficit would rise in the short run. I can’t imagine that global markets really care if our debt is 1.3 trillion or 1.4 trillion. The numbers are beyond belief anyway! It’s growth that we need and in the short run, we just have to take that risk on the deficit. A fresh economic approach is needed for the Labour Party and this could be made by removing Ed Balls as Shadow Chancellor and bringing in the former Chancellor Alistair Darling – the man who arguably saved us from a depression.

With the two main parties both failing to take the initiative, another hung parliament looks the most likely outcome of the 2015 General Election. Therefore, the party who can be most confident of being in the next government is the Liberal Democrats, despite a massive drop in popularity due to the broken promise on abolishing tuition fees and no longer being a protest vote. All in all, these council election results are going to be depressing for all three of the main parties. It’s time for all of them to up their game.

Dave Reynolds, Online Comment Editor

Devon County Council election results announced

Turnout at the election was only 32.9 percent. Image credit: BBC

The Devon County Council election results have been announced this afternoon, with the Conservatives retaining overall control of the body. Of the nine Exeter wards, seven were claimed by Labour.

Across the county 313 candidates were fighting for 62 seats, with the Tories winning 38. Labour did not add any seats to their seven in Exeter, as UKIP won four, the Greens one and three independents were elected.

Neither Labour nor UKIP could gain the Conservative held University ward, Duryard & Pennsylvania, which was won by Percy Prowse with a 21 percent majority over second placed Labour.

St David’s & St James, home to a large proportion of Exeter students, was won by Labour’s Jill Owen.

Both areas suffered from low turnout – around 10 percent below the lowly 33 percent average, which was down from 44 percent in 2009.

The coalition parties both registered overall losses, with three less Conservatives and four less Lib Dem councillors being elected.

The election results will be viewed by some as a reflection on national politics, with Liberal Democrat ratings in opinions polls remaining at low levels, in contrast to the recent rise of UKIP.

A referendum in the Exeter St James area asking: “Do you want Exeter City Council to use the neighbourhood plan for Exeter St James to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?” was emphatically accepted, with 92 % voting yes.

James Roberts and Carlus Hudson were amongst a number of University students standing in the election, but neither were elected.

Roberts came in fifth place for the Conservatives in the St David’s & St James area, whilst Hudson polled only 29 votes in Newtown & Polsloe.

To find out who your local councillor is, click here.

Harrison Jones, Online News Editor

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Winston McKenzie's New Fight

At the recent UKIP spring conference, Exeposé interviewed party member Winston McKenzie, who shared his views on racism, David Cameron and the Conservative government, and young people helping UKIP on their journey to power.

Winston McKenzie, UKIP member and ex-boxer, is probably most well known in politics for two things.

Firstly, he came third in the North Croydon by-election, beating the Liberal Democrat candidate Marisha Ray. Overall, UKIP’s votes rose by 4% to 5.7% in the election. This, McKenzie told Exeposé, ‘was brilliant’, and clearly a boost to the party’s ego. Secondly, you may remember the public backlash that ensued after he claimed adoption by gay couples constituted ‘child abuse.’ But McKenzie is not fazed by the criticism.

The 59-year-old politician, who has been a member of every major political party at some point in the last thirty years, still believes UKIP will go far. He told Exeposé: ‘I really sincerely hope that we sink the Tories in the forthcoming local elections, I hope that we sink them in the general election and I hope that we sink them in the European election so that they’re wiped off the face of the earth.’

It seems apparent that his dislike of the Conservatives is rooted in his evolving conflict with Prime Minister David Cameron. McKenzie explained: ‘He (Cameron) tries to be tough but he’s soft so I couldn’t aspire to him.’ McKenzie divulged that he has taken offence from ‘the quips that he (Cameron) has made about UKIP being fruitcakes and closet racists,’ which were ‘very disrespectful.’ He added: ‘I think it’s a personal jibe at me.’

But McKenzie praises UKIP’s leader Nigel Farage, saying that he is ‘greatly inspired’ by him. McKenzie also feels that UKIP are inspirational to young people and are the party of the future. ‘Many young people are looking at UKIP as the party that is listening to people, and as the party that will carry their voice,’ he told Exeposé.

‘We are turning over a new leaf now where we are getting a lot of young people showing interest in the party and that is great.’ He added: ‘I’m so amazed to hear the young people in UKIP holding seminars and talking about the future and putting ideas to the party, it’s absolutely amazing.

‘These young men and women are going to make great leaders one day.’

On the question of racism, of which UKIP are so often accused, McKenzie does not seem too fazed. ‘As far as UKIP is concerned I don’t notice racism on the level that some people do.’ But he does recognise the issue of racism. ‘Racism is everywhere. It’s everywhere in all walks of society. Racism is blatant, it’s abundant and it’s alive and kicking.’

Contrary to popular belief, McKenzie also believes that UKIP is becoming more attractive to ‘black and ethnic people’ who are ‘showing far greater interest in the party.’ Of this McKenzie noted: ‘I’m glad to say I’ve contributed to that.’

Where many may see racism as UKIP’s weak point, its relationship with other countries is certainly its strength for Eurocsceptics. There is no doubt that voters are drawn to UKIP for its unwavering stance on Europe and immigration.

McKenzie recognises this and believes the current system of electing MEPs is ‘a travesty of justice.’ He added: ‘They are unelected bureaucrats which we are throwing our money to and asking them to rule us, asking them to make policies on our behalf.’ McKenzie sees the European Union as a ‘big boy’s club’ and blames David Cameron for seeing fit to ‘brush this terrible injustice under the carpet.’

It must be quite crowded under that carpet, as McKenzie also feels that Cameron has failed to act upon the role of the bankers in the downturn of the economy. He told Exeposé: ‘They’ve taken our money; they’ve taken our souls and everything we own.’

Meg Lawrence, Features Editor

Interviewed by James Roberts, Features Editor