May | 2014 | Novara Media

6 Reasons the Defence of ULU is Vital to Students Everywhere

Michael Chessum

The University of London Union is due to be closed down by University of London management on 1 August. If all goes to Vice Chancellor Adrian Smith's plan, the building will be seized and the union replaced by a management-run 'student service centre'. Since 2010, ULU has in many ways been at the heart of the student movement nationally, and its closure is indicative of a broader trend of commercialisation in the sector.

Novara FM: Against Austerity. In Conversation with Richard Seymour

On this week's show James Butler is joined by Richard Seymour as they discuss some of the themes in his new book 'Against Austerity'.

5 Reasons Not to be a Woman in the UK in 2014

Tabitha Bast

From reproductive rights to Ukip to the internet, women are bearing the brunt of an onslaught which threatens both women's rights and maybe even the sisterhood which won them. Here Tabitha Bast explores what's making 2014 such a bad year to be a woman in the UK.

5 Reflections on the European Election Results

Novara Reporters

The final ballots are being added to the results but the headline result is clear: Ukip have won the European elections. But what of Labour, the Lib Dems and the left?

Novara FM: Sustaining the Unsustainable: Housing and the UK Economy

On this week's show Aaron Bastani is joined by the Guardian's senior economics commentator, Aditya Chakrabortty.

#Vote2014: Highlights from Twitter

Novara Reporters

Counts from the council elections are still underway and the European elections results are yet to be released. The results at present look a bit like this. Nonetheless our esteemed regime broadcaster, the BBC, has declared all power to the Kippers… Despite them not holding a single council (at time of press). Here’s a […]

Douze Points! 7 Reflections on Conchita, Trans Issues and Eurovision

Kev Smith

"Douze point... Austria!" Conchita Wurst was the winner of the recent Eurovision Song Contest. We all know the competition is political, but Conchita stole the show - and the media spotlight - for herself both musically and politically.

3 Political Trends the Indian General Election Has Demonstrated

Narinder Kapur

As Narender Modi swept to victory in the recent Indian general election the media have been quick to profile the man whose face adorns thousands of masks as political rallies. Variously characterised as a neoliberal, a reformer of sorts and even a bully, what does his election spell for wider trends in Indian politics?

4 Things You Didn’t Know About Canada’s Betrayal of Aboriginal Women

Phil Homburg

While the world's eyes have been turned to the missing young women in Nigeria, Canada's Conservative government has been resisting calls to begin an inquiry into the 1000+ unresolved cases of missing and murdered Aboriginal women. The establishment's refusal to engage and Canada's structural violence against Aboriginal women go hand in hand.

Novara FM: ‘We are here because you were there’: Race & the UK Left

This week, James Butler hosts Ashok Kumar and Adam Elliott-Cooper to discuss the UK's changing demographics, and the UK Left's reluctance to engage with fully with anti-racist resistance and black thought.

12 Books White People Should Read in Preparation for Becoming a Minority in Britain

Adam Elliott-Cooper & Ashok Kumar

Recent research suggesting that by 2066 white people will be an ethnic minority in Britain has caused a storm in the right-wing press. Here's a short reading list to help the white-dominated left prepare to fight capitalism from their new societal position.

Between the Lines: Gary Barlow’s Tax Avoidance Plot In His Own Words

Thomas Seal

Gary Barlow, reinvented has-been, was recently rumbled for avoiding millions in unpaid tax. Cue a Twitter 'backlash' and pointed fingers. When this happened to Jimmy Carr for the comparatively paltry sum of half a million, he was made an example of by the PM. This time Cameron has advised that no action be taken. Unrelatedly, Barlow is a Conservative party donor. As a 'national treasure' gets dragged to the stocks, we take a look at the clues Barlow's been laying out for us all along.

Novara FM: European Elections and the Green Party, Worth Your Vote?

On this week's show Aaron Bastani discusses the forthcoming European elections with Green Party member Adam Ramsay and MEP candidate Amelia Womack.

7 Things You Need to Know About ‘Help to Buy’

Aaron Bastani

The state is now repeatedly resuscitating the economy through stimulating demand for housing with the guarantee of easy credit. As 'Help to Buy' rolls out (against the advice of the OECD), who are the real winners and losers?

6 Things You Should Know About Glasgow’s Social Housing Crisis

Arran James

Eyes the world over will be turning to Glasgow this summer for the 20th Commonwealth Games. However, the spectacle belies the grim reality of the state of the city's social housing situation. As privateers move in and working class people are forced out, resistance is mounting in the fight for housing.

9 Things You Might Not Expect From the Greens’ EU Manifesto

Adam Ramsay

With European elections fast approaching, all the focus seems to be on a scraggly bunch of misfits. And UKIP, who have been receiving rather nasty parcels from said scraggly bunch. It seems depressing coming to terms with the fact we're still fire-fighting racist scapegoating at a parliamentary level in 2014, so is there any hope for a progressive Europe? The Green Party at least throw some interesting policies into the equation (and they're not all about the environment!)

8 Things You Should Know About David Willetts

Craig McVegas

A recent May Day carnival ended up gate-crashing a lecture David Willetts was giving on the future of (private) funding for university science research. We all know him as the man behind tripled fees and the botched HE White Paper, but were you aware of these lesser-known facts about the Universities Minister?

Novara FM: ‘Lets Steal It Back’: Marxists.Org, Rentiership and the Commons

On this week's show James Butler and Aaron Bastani discuss the recent actions by Lawrence and Wishart against marxists.org.

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