Gordon Brown’s premiership ended with a whimper. As the negotiations between the political parties – in the wake of the general election – reached a conclusion, it became clear that the Labour party would not continue in office. Brown offered up his own head, in a bid to appease the Liberal Democrats. But to no avail. David Cameron formed a Conservative/Lib Dem coalition, ending thirteen years of Labour rule.
BY MATTHEW OKOT
Finally, with an end to the Troubles in Northern Ireland, the province hosted its own election night for many years. Northern Ireland voters usually expect more of the same at election time, taking part in the traditional sectarian headcount, and voting the old faithful at the ballot box. The May 2010 Westminster general election however, while returning most of the same, bared witness to some unprecedented moments, not to mention a senior republican quoting British icon Winston Churchill.
BY GOWN REPORTER
Today at approximately 10pm ballot boxes throughout the United Kingdom will be shut, sealed and then driven by police escort to counting locations. Here, paid officials, monitored by local candidates will work well into the night, counting the votes and ultimately playing a part in declaring which party will be forming the next government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
BY DANIEL GILLEN
President Shane Brogan will bring this argument to Management Board tomorrow on behalf of The Gown editorial team and Gown Trust. Gown management met with Union and University officials last Friday to discuss the ongoing issues between the independent newspaper and the Union, which have caused significant difficulties for the newspaper to continue operating as normal. As part of the clubs and societies review, the Union is proposing to move The Gown from their office on the 3rd floor of the Union into a shared office. The Gown team is still suspended and members have been denied access since Monday 15th March.
UPDATE: The suspension imposed on The Gown from their office on Monday 15th March was lifted at this evening’s Management Board meeting.
There are obvious traditional and historical reasons as to why we believe The Gown should remain in an exclusive office, mainly due to the paper enjoying the usage of an office in the Union for decades. But The Gown editorial team and Gown Trust are adamant that the future survival of the newspaper depends on the continued use of an exclusive office. The internal affairs of a newspaper are by their nature private and confidential, and it is unthinkable to expect the independent student newspaper to share space which would compromise the very essence of its existence. This year The Gown’s current office has been used daily by a core team of 10 members, a wider voluntary body of 50, and a focal point of reference for hundreds of occasional student writers, not to mention whistle blowers, morning, noon and night.
BY CATHERINE WYLIE
There is no doubt that the final leader debate and its focus on the economy was meant to be the highlight of the election campaign thus far. Unfortunately that accolade was stolen yesterday by a pensioner who while popping to the shop to buy a loaf of bread managed to bring Labour’s carefully stage-managed campaign to its knees; for a day at least.
BY KATHRYN McCANN
After observing the televisual oddity that was the first national leaders’ debate last Thursday, hopes were high for another evening to rekindle fresh political discussion. Unfortunately though, this vague and hurried debate is unlikely to fire up the jaded masses.
BY BRENDAN HUGHES
Even in the political cauldron of a country that we live in today, I still believe that politics should be kept out of sport. The debate surrounding the playing of the National Anthem before Northern Ireland football internationals has reached new and unprecedented heights in recent weeks, in the wake of Ulster Unionist Party officer and Northern Ireland fan Kenny Donaldson’s call for a new sporting anthem. Whilst the media and politicians have been all too quick to air their views on the contentious and emotive issue, the opinions of those who really matter, the Northern Ireland football community, are in danger of being ignored.
BY JONNY MADILL