Thanks for coming to Kent, Liam.

First off, what do you think is the greatest challenge is to a student in terms of finances?

It was really great to come and speak at Kent today. The presentation I gave was all about student financial support and I think the biggest challenge in the sector over the next 10 years is how much money students have in their pockets.

The debate for the movement is a really difficult one. We should rightly campaign to get more money from government. What you spend on someone’s loans and grants is a really powerful form of preventative spending in terms of keeping people in education.

But look, we’re in a difficult time when getting commitments from parties for any form of expenditure whatsoever is really difficult. So a trickier debate for the movement is: Do we campaign for the in-envelope changes that can a make a difference to the right students? Because we know that some particular students are being hit really hard by the current system.

Okay, so what do you think universities do for this? What can they do to help students?

We’ve been campaigning over the past two years now to really force home that what universities should be doing is getting money in students pockets, rather than to reduce to overall fee element.

So one of the things we’ve had millions of pounds of wins on is asking universities not to do fee waivers, but instead give that money to students in terms of cash, and that’s my number one thing.

In terms of institutions to say that the maintenance of student financial support is really important and that they can do lots of things such as reduce hidden course costs, to give more in terms of hardship grants and loans.

Things like giving students the opportunity to get decent quality work, money you get from part-time work is really important to students in terms of academic success.

So here at Kent the Hidden Course Costs survey was released today (10th May) and other financial research concerning student finances. In terms of accommodation, what can universities do in this area?

The debate we have on money students have in their pockets shouldn’t rest solely on giving more money.

Lots of the debates can be about controlling the costs students have. Two areas in particular, things like hidden course costs which I know Kent Union have done a power of work on and released research today, reducing the amounts students have to pay on their academic studies is something that is completely within the power of the institution.

The other area is accommodation, and one of the problems we’ve got is that in the last decade the cost of university owned accommodation has skyrocketed, completely disconnected from inflation and the cost of provision.

This has been driven lots by students wanting a higher quality of accommodation, meaning that institutions have reduced their stock of bargain accommodation. When I was in university I lived in a place called ‘the ghetto’ and it was called that for a good reason, but it was called that because it was of cheaper stock.

If an institution does go for the top end of the market continuously and loses that stock of cheaper accommodation, then you have students being priced out of being able to live on campus and I think that the [Kent] Students’ Union are playing a blinder by putting a spotlight onto those issues.

You’re coming to the end of your time at NUS, what’re you plans for when you finish?

So I’m firmly a lame duck now, people are listening to me less and less as every day goes on!

In terms of what’s next; long-long term the dream is to be in a senior management position of a campaigning organisation or third-sector charity.

In terms of first steps I’m incredibly flexible, it’s not exactly an environment where beggars can be choosers. I’ll take it I’ve got the best of luck for the interview I’ve got next Thursday to get a job from Kent students!

Awesome. So tell us about your successor, how do you think she’s going to do?

Our national conference in Sheffield just last month we elected Toni Pearce as our next national President.

She’s currently the VP for Further Education (she came from Cornwall College) and she is exceptional. Completely formidable in terms of her politics and her drive to try and get the best for students that need our help the most.

She’s not been to university (she came from a college background) and I think that is going to do something really special for NUS. Instead of always focusing always on undergraduate, young students on campus, we can look at the other range of learners that we should be looking to support as well. So I think she will be excellent.

Lastly, as students and part of a NUS-affiliated Union we get our NUS student discounts. I was wondering, does the President of NUS get these too?

So I’ve got an NUS Extra Card. I buy it through my old Students’ Union so they get the money back for it. But yeah, you’d be a bit of a fool not to get the discount card when you’re running the organisation.

In the time leading up to the Enactus Nationals, I looked forward to it with a strange sense of apprehension. I had seen countless clips of the previous Nationals on YouTube and the only word that can describe these videos is: epic. The clips feature high-fives and hugs, tears and turbulence – but something was not quite right.

Before I go any further, you’re probably wondering what the Nationals are, and more to the point; what is Enactus?  Well, the aim of Enactus is to transform the lives of disadvantaged people all around the world, using entrepreneurial action that doesn’t just give intermittent help, but instead provides a sense of lasting empowerment.

The Nationals are an opportunity for students from universities all around the country to showcase the things they’ve done; from recycling crisp packets into blankets in Bolivia to planting grass on the hillsides of Kenya to prevent landslides. The solutions appear extremely simple but often that ensures their continued success. The Enactus Nationals are a fantastic event, however I felt torn watching the clips of previous years which presented a dichotomy; one of excitement and inspiration but also feelings of worry and suspicion lurked.

As Coldplay’s Paradise played, I questioned whether I could be as inspired as so many others seemed to have been. I didn’t like the possibility that my hopes of seeing true altruism would fall short, and instead I would see a superficial spectacle of do-gooders.

It wasn’t until late on the second day that I really understood what the event was all about. It was the turn of Royal Holloway to get up on stage, in front of hundreds of people, and explain how they had changed the lives of those that needed help. The team of seven girls presented projects combating gender inequality. Their project, the Sustainable Empowerment for Women, based in India, was incredible. Women there are considered the property of men but SEW gave a group of 60 women the opportunity to start their very own businesses. The women received a steady income, but equally as important, they achieved independence from the husbands that they often suffered abuse from. Presenting this, it was plain to see Royal Holloway were very proud of what they had done. The audience clapped and cheered, and two students were moved to tears. It was at this moment that I believed these girls did not help the women in India for recognition. Their actions were selfless.

I realised it had taken the shedding of tears for me to believe that they genuinely cared. I then thought how absurd that was: I had been looking for moments where the cracks in altruism might appear but what I actually found was that beneath the veneer of a façade (the stage and trophies) lies a very human desire to care for others.

It’s true that Enactus looks great on your CV, you may even join for that reason, but that’s not why you’ll stay.

When it comes to films, romantic comedies are in abundance. There are so many that it’s often hard to second-guess the good from the bad. So I’ve compiled a list of my top three must-see and avoid-at-all-costs rom-coms, to guide you in the right direction.

The best: in third place, it’s the 1999 classic Never Been Kissed starring Drew Barrymore, David Arquette and John C. Reilly. The film centres around 25 year-old journalist Josie Geller (Barrymore) who enrols back at her old high school to conduct research for a news story, and goes on a quest of her own to find someone to share her first kiss with. It has all the characteristics of a great 90s film which make it a top-scorer: hideously wacky outfits, an appropriately fun pop/rock soundtrack, and a whole lot of ‘feel-good’.

Second place goes to Bridget Jones’ Diary. The best-selling book-turned-movie was bound to be a rom-com topper, as it features Renée Zellweger and two of the most-loved male actors ever, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth. What sets it apart from other chick-flicks? For starters, its awkward Britishness: the film sees the protagonist flash her oversized pants on live TV and turn up to a posh party dressed as a bunny. It’s a fresh take on the classic novel Pride and Prejudice as it’s modern-day and Jones bumps into Mr Darcy at a Christmas party instead of a Regency ball. It’s wonderful for any rom-com lover.

And my number one spot goes to the must-see to top all must-see films, Breakfast At Tiffany’s. The classiest rom-com of them all, it’s set and filmed in 60s New York and follows socialite Holly Golightly (played by the iconic Audrey Hepburn­) and her blossoming relationship with aspiring writer Paul Varjak (George Peppard). The final scene sees the couple kiss in the rain, after finally declaring their love for one another: a scene that other romance films have since tried to emulate, but none to the same effect. What makes this film worthy of a number one is, for me: Audrey Hepburn – an actor like no other; the soundtrack – the title song Moon River earned an Oscar; the setting – a spectacular 60s New York backdrop; and the style – the Givenchy dress is still considered to be the most famous “little black dress” 50 years on. If you haven’t watched it, I implore you: do it now (after revision of course).

Moving on to the worst rom-coms – please remember to abstain from watching for the sake of your eyes and ears. In third place, it’s The Bounty Hunter- a pairing of Gerard Butler and Jennifer Aniston had previously seemed promising to me, but sadly I was wrong. Dodgy script, slow-paced and minimal chemistry between Butler and Aniston. I forgot to pay attention when watching it. Enough said.

A so-called ‘romantic comedy’, The Love Guru finds itself in second place. I’d previously thought that Mike Myers was a comedian, I must’ve be mistaken though as this film was not amusing, just plain ridiculous. Please, just don’t do it to yourself, unless you never want to laugh again.

And worst of them all? Labor Pains starring Lindsay Lohan brings one of the poorest plots ever: an office assistant who fakes her own pregnancy to avoid being sacked. Leaves you wishing you could erase films from your memory. Don’t go there, ever.

On Friday 17^th May Team Kent and Kent Union announced that they had signed up to the government’s Sports Charter.

All 53 Sports Clubs across the University of Kent have committed themselves to the charter, which is aimed at tackling homophobia and transphobia in Sport.

On their Facebook page, Team Kent wrote: “We won’t just be signing up but implementing processes to train new committee’s and offer stand out training in order to raise the awareness of the issues and to improve inclusivity across all of our clubs.”

“Sport is for EVERYONE regardless of your gender, ethnicity, race or background and Team Kent are proud to champion the Sports For All ethos.”

The charter is split into four sections, each focusing on the irradiation of discrimination in Sport:

1. We believe that everyone should be able to participate in and enjoy sport – whoever they are and whatever their background.
2. We believe that sport is about fairness and equality, respect and dignity. Sport teaches individuals how to strive and succeed, how to cope with success and disappointment, and brings people together with a common goal.
3. We are committed to making these values a reality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. We will work together, and individually, to rid sport of homophobia and transphobia.
4. We will make sport a welcome place for everyone – for those participating in sport, those attending sporting events and for those working or volunteering in sports at any level. We will work with all these groups to ensure they have a voice, and to challenge unacceptable behaviour

Writing on his blog, outgoing VP for Sport Matt Harris wrote: “At the University of Kent we are proud to boast such a diverse range of sports with an equally diverse range of students; we believe that our clubs and our students should all get the same fair and equal treatment.”

The announcement by Team Kent coincided with the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHO), in order to enforce the collective support Team Kent has against discrimination in Sport.

Homophobia is one of the biggest problems Sport currently faces, despite ideas such as the Sports Charter. Sportsmen and sportswomen are often faced with the cruel task of choosing between their sexuality and their sport, for fear of abuse from spectators, particularly in Football and Rugby.

A recent article by The Guardian claimed that eight footballers said ‘we’re gay’ but kept quiet in fear of backlash from fans, as well from their own dressing room. Football is arguably the sport with the biggest problem regarding Homophobia, but steps are being taken by the clubs to remove this issue.

Last month fans of Brighton & Hove Albion called on the football authorities to increase efforts to tackle homophobic abuse after a report showing that it was prevalent in 72% of the club’s games this season.

However, some sportspeople have decided to come out to help spread awareness in sport. Welsh Rugby player Gareth Thomas came out as gay in 2009, making him the first openly gay professional rugby player, stating: “I don’t want to be known as a gay rugby player. I am a rugby player, first and foremost I am a man”. He also spoke of how he hoped that his coming out would mean that in the future, young gay rugby players would be able to come out and be accepted as a “talented gay rugby player”.

On his blog, Harris discussed the message the signing of the charter sends across the University: “By signing the Charter we are also conveying a message to our supporters that we will stand up to discrimination, build a more family friendly club and create an environment where there is no room for abuse within each of our sports.”

“We are also encouraging players to be themselves, which can have a positive impact on both individual and team performance, as people who are open about their sexuality perform at a higher standard.”

“In addition, without their clubs signature to the Sports Charter, they will not be able to achieve the Kent Union quality mark standard for Team Kent clubs”, outlining the strict line Team Kent has on this matter.

Whatever the sport, there is no place for Homophobia, Biphobia or Transphobia, and it is important that it is eradicated at both ends of the Sport spectrum in order to make Sport what it should be, more inclusive.

On Monday 13th May a car exploded in the Libyan city of Benghazi, killing three and wounding 14. The explosion is suspected at this time to be an accidental detonation of materials used in creating anti-tank explosives being transported by militant factions in the country. This episode is the latest in a string of attacks – three police stations were bombed in Benghazi the week before.

Benghazi was the cradle of the 2011 revolution which toppled Gaddafi. The country’s second largest city after Tripoli, Benghazi has been plagued with violence and demonstrations since the fall of the Gaddafi regime.

In late April armed groups surrounded the Libyan foreign and justice ministries to coerce parliament into signing into law a total ban on anyone who held a senior position in the Gaddafi regime holding office in the new administration. After one week of siege the government caved into the protestors’ demands and passed the law. The siege was lifted two weeks after it began.

The Supreme Security Council, a union of former rebel fighters which led the siege, is “better armed and more powerful than the police”, says Al Jazeera.

The ban was criticised by diplomats and rights movements for being “too sweeping” and threatening to “cripple government”. It ignored, they argued, those in the former regime who had opposed Gaddafi and had been instrumental in his downfall.

The British embassy withdrew staff earlier this month at the advice of the Foreign Ministry. The United States withdrew some of its diplomats and put security forces in the region on high alert. The United States was the target of militia groups in 2011 when the embassy was stormed and four employees, including ambassador Christopher Stevens, were killed.

“The international community is observing the country with concern during this critical time in the transition,” France, Britain and the US said in a joint statement this week. The three governments had been instrumental in the toppling of Gaddafi during the 2011 civil war. “We support Libya’s successful transition from ruthless dictatorship to democracy, stability and prosperity.”

UKC’s Women’s side facing the CCCU bowling attack.

A sunny Friday 10^th May evening at the St. Lawrence Ground was the setting for the 2013 edition of the T20 Varsity, between UKC and CCCU.

As the crowds drifted into the home of Kent County Cricket, the rivalry between the two universities could not have been fiercer, as both sides were looking to win one of the last remaining Varsity competitions of the academic year. The competition was kicked off by the women’s Varsity match.

Having won the toss, the UKC side, led by Captain Charlotte Miles, elected to open the batting first. The Canterbury Christ Church bowling attack suffered in the early stages of the fixture, as UKC openers Laura Thompson and Karen Baker shared a first wicket partnership of 67, before Thompson was out via LBW. Skipper Miles replaced Thompson, as the women’s side blocked out much of the CCCU attack, a good defensive move, but resulting in a slow run rate not ideal for a T20 fixture. Miles, who was dropped on 1, reached a score of 27 before being run out leaving the score on 140-2.

Karen Baker steered UKC to their final total of 141 with her 51 not out, as UKC closed their innings on 141-2. In reply, the CCCU women’s side came out on the attack, but were hindered by the early dismissals of Lucy O’Brien and Heather Jones, being left 14-2.

UKC’s Men’s celebrate taking another CCCU wicket on their way to victory.

However the 3^rd wicket partnership of Deanna Cooper, who scored a solid 83 not out, and Sophie Pout, scoring 32 not out, proved to be the decisive factor in the fixture, leading CCCU to a 8 wicket win over UKC, and in turn winning the T20 Women’s Varsity trophy.

Following the defeat, UKC’s attention turned to the Men’s fixture, with CCCU winning the toss and electing to field. The occasion was a fiery fixture, with big hits and impressive wickets providing great entertainment for the spectators.

The UKC batting attack was opened by Tom Edrich and Buzz Gould, and despite a quick start from Gould, he was caught out on 12, dashing Kent’s hopes for a big start. Wickets tumbled at times in a sloppy manner for Kent, but they soon showed the resilience that became associated with Team Kent through Varsity earlier this year, spearheaded by the knock of 24 by Joe Oakey.

Oakey was the standout batsman for UKC, and his six, the first of the day, kept a nervous Kent crowd entertained, right up until his caught and bowled dismissal. Kent fought right through the tailend of their batting too, with Charlie Perchard hitting an enormous six in the final over before being dismissed as Kent were all out for 126. CCCU were looking to respond and seal a second Varsity trophy of the day, but this was prevented by a superb bowling performance from the Kent side.

The bowling of Freddie Hulbert was particularly impressive, as his performance crippled the CCCU attack and was the driving force behind Kent’s eventual victory. Canterbury Christ Church batsmen struggled to match the form of their female counterparts, and Adam Dobson took the final wicket, dismissing CCCU’s James Mead via LBW to skittle their rivals out for just 78, giving Kent the win, and more importantly the Men’s Varsity trophy, by 48 runs.

The win for Kent’s men cancelled out the lead the women had given CCCU earlier in the day, meaning that, overall, the T20 Varsity competition for 2013 was shared.

Wigan Athletic are celebrating beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final 1-0, in one of the greatest underdog stories of the Cup’s history.

Wigan, nicknamed ‘The Latics’, sealed the dramatic victory through a header from substitute Ben Watson as the game crept into injury time.

Their opponents Manchester City, who were huge favourites coming into the final, were left feeling shell-shocked as the Wigan fans who had made the journey to London burst into raptures.

Wigan did not have  it all their own way, however, as it was City who started the brightest and were only denied the lead after a remarkable series of stops by Wigan goalkeeper Joel Robles.

As Wigan began to settle into the game, they too pressured the City defence, which included the surprise selection of first choice goalkeeper Joe Hart, replacing Costel Pantilimon who had been City’s preference in cup competitions throughout the season.

City, who appeared shocked at the persistence of Wigan’s attack, struggled to contend with Callum McManaman and James McArthur, who on numerous occasions skipped past the lacklustre Gael Clichy.

Wigan were now more comfortable with possession, and their trademark passing tactics proved troublesome for City, with McManaman almost putting Wigan ahead after just nine minutes. His shot drifting wide of Hart’s left post.

City were still playing their part in the final however, Wigan’s Robles was the busier of the two goalkeepers, flicking a Carlos Tevez shot over the crossbar with his foot, to the relief of the Wigan fans, and the concern of the City support.

McManaman had one final chance before referee Andre Marriner, who was exceptional throughout the match, called time on the first half; the winger’s goalbound shot blocked superbly by arguably City’s standout player of the season, Pablo Zabaleta.

Whatever under-fire Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini said to his players at halftime, it appeared to work, as his side re-emerged from the Wembley tunnel with a greater confidence in the second half.

City’s passing became more fluid, as they became the slick side seen so consistently throughout this season’s Premier League campaign.

Sergio Aguero, whose heroics last season earned him a place in City folklore, saw his glancing goalbound effort saved by veteran defender Emmerson Boyce, following a good move with Tevez.

The City section of Wembley became nervous as their side failed to score an opener. Mancini sensed these nerves, losing patience with Samir Nasri, replacing him after just 53 minutes with James Milner, but this was to little effect.

Mancini went on to take off Tevez, a surprising decision considering the Argentine had arguably been City’s best player on the pitch, replacing him with Jack Rodwell in a move that confused many of the City fans in attendance.

Wigan continued to press, searching for the all important opening goal, and they came close when Shaun Maloney’s free-kick bounced off the top of the Manchester City crossbar.

Things got worse for City as they were reduced to 10 men when Zabaleta was dismissed for a second yellow card, adding further pressure to his side, as Wigan began to smell blood.

Wigan surged forward against the 10 men of City, and when they earned a corner as the game began its injury time, the Wigan section of Wembley erupted.

Maloney’s cross to the front post of Hart’s goal was met by Watson, who pulled away from Rodwell, and placed his glancing header into the goal, as Wembley’s Wigan section went into hysteria.

Watson’s goal, and Wigan’s victory, saw ‘The Latics’ claim their first major trophy in their 81-year history.

Roberto Martinez, the Wigan boss, who has recently been touted as the next Everton manager, said: “We were playing an incredible side. We didn’t win by luck – from start to finish it was an incredible performance.”

He continued: “Everyone wrote us off before the game, but we were following a dream. You cannot describe the feeling at the moment. My players faced adversity and played with a smile. I am so proud of them.”

The result for Wigan could become a crucial catalyst for them as they have just two Premier League games left to avoid relegation, despite their fate not being in their own hands.

A disastrous day for Manchester City, but for Wigan, this is a victory to savour for a long time yet.

Nigel Farage

Nigel Farage recently explained his belief that there are two types of people in politics, those who want to be something and those who want to do something. The UKIP leader was responding to a question on the Andrew Marr Show that asked if it is one day his intention to be Prime Minister. Quite resoundingly, Farage’s answer was no. With his characteristic enthusiasm and straightforwardness, Farage outlined his intentions, stressing his purpose had always been to create the foundations for a free and prosperous Britain; one that his children and further generations can enjoy.

Of course, the purpose behind this explanation was for the UKIP leader to further cultivate the image of his party as a rising force, looking to feed a nation that is both starved of economic success and hinging its loose hopes on a government that continues to excel in the path of disenchantment. Clearly Farage and his party have been plucking on the strings of rhetoric. However, his message has begun to bear fruitful results, be it from the cynic’s angle, which fully emphasises the clear revival of the protest vote, or the positivist’s, citing the awakening of a nation behind this backlash towards Parliament’s three-party monopoly.

We should not perhaps be surprised at how this combination of the coalition’s ineptitude and UKIP’s opportunism has led to the results of our recent local elections. UKIP won over 140 seats and averaged 25% of the vote in the wards where it was standing, with a large amount of those seats being gained at the expense of the Conservatives. The irony of this is perhaps epitomised by Prime Minister David Cameron’s remark in 2006 that UKIP was a party for “fruitcakes” and “loonies” and yet, his fate, and policies, will now be partly driven by the very party he once ridiculed.

This provokes the key question to arise from these results; can UKIP maintain this momentum into the next general election and beyond? BBC’s reporter Nick Robinson states that “UKIP emerged as a real political force in the land” following its electoral success. What one can certainly gain from all this is that UKIP has thrived off the often polarising atmosphere that surrounds the half-hearted policies of the coalition. The increasing budget issues, the fear of declining national sovereignty, and the reality of the potential eastern European influx of immigrants, following Romania and Bulgaria’s eventual entrances into the European Union, are all issues UKIP can confidently tackle. It is exactly this connection of the EU to all these issues that has set the perfect platform for the true Euro-sceptic party to perform so finely.

Yet, in spite of all this, we must remember that UKIP’s foundations to prosper are still in their infancy years. If their elevation is to continue they will come face to face with a number of opportunities and, more importantly, challenges. For starters, UKIP have come through these local elections rather unscathed in regards to their policies. So often deeming them insignificant, this complacent attitude left none of the major parties truly scrutinising the specifics behind UKIP’s practical solutions. Of course, the nervous nature that will begin to build in Parliament will, in turn, require Farage’s party to become more prepared. A combination of inexperience and the common perception that their party still lays one dimensionally driven by EU policies is a burden they must overcome. These challenges will provide the true tests as to whether UKIP is a legitimate threat to the establishment.

UKIP’s appeal is simple. Its libertarian leanings far surpass that of the three major parties. In fact, Farage is part of only a select few politicians who I still hear use such buzz words on a consistent basis: Liberty, prosperity, and freedom, to name a few. It is perhaps something the other parties should begin to learn, instead of tying themselves up in their typical political discourse. This should involve dropping the overused phrase “protest vote”, which is already becoming something of a dirty word. Even our Prime Minister has learnt from his political hiccups and now emphasises the need to respect those British citizens who chose to vote UKIP, knowing full well he must avoid another catastrophic backfiring like the one the Conservative party have suffered in wake of their below-the-belt attempts to degrade Britain’s “Fourth party.”

Whether UKIP can change the face of British politics come the next general election is completely hypothetical as of now. However, naive disregard for their potential to become a real political force must not be repeated by our current government. What we can learn so far is that our nation is beginning to signal its own awakening. The real question is whether their vote will be seen in retrospect as result of short-term novelty or a patient vote, willing to stick out for this steady, long-term project that UKIP attempts to fulfill.