ed971003 Issue 914.qxd 07/05/98 14:40 Page 1 (1,1) Issue 914 - Weekly Friday 3rd October 1997 Blair: Modernise and Win n his first Party Matt Pannell vague, suggesting Conference Editor that “anyone could Ispeech as Prime sign up to this.” Minister, Tony Blair Simon Heffer of the set out his aim on Tuesday not just Daily Mail called it “a very Tory to be better than the last govern- speech in many ways.” But whilst ment, but to be “one of the great insisting on “zero tolerance” on radical reforming governments of crime, and the importance of getting British history.” He outlined new single mothers into work, Mr Blair plans for improvements in health reserved some sharp criticism for and education, and more sweeping the ‘establishment’. “Not one black constitutional reforms. High Court Judge; not one black “Enlightened patriotism” featured Chief Constable or Permanent strongly - a belief in Britain and the Secretary. Not one black army offi- “British character”, along with the cer above the rank of Colonel. Not usual need for restraint in spending, one Asian either. Not a record of concern over poverty and crime, pride for the British establishment.” and a request for party discipline to ensure a second consecutive elec- tion victory, something never previ- ously achieved by a Labour govern- Tuition fees to ment. stay In true New Labour style, he was given a three-minute standing ova- Mr Blair used the speech as an opportunity to try and end the tion before he had even begun, and Photo: Brian Harris (The Independent) delivered the hour-long speech in debate on University Tuition fees media-friendly terms, complete which had been rumbling during the The Soundbites “” with a few of the same soundbites early stages of the conference. It - The chains of mediocrity have been broken - Our government can be the beacon for now looks increasingly unlikely that employed before the election. The - It is compassion with a hard edge enlightened patriotism speech was met with near-hysterical the fees proposal will be dropped in - A decent society is not based on rights, it is - Give your all. Make this the giving age praise from Mr Blair’s cabinet col- principle, in spite of continuing leagues, but some scepticism from resistance from students. Labour based on duty - So much to do. So much to change. So hard to those on the left of the party, and also intends to bring an extra half-a- - I want the 21st century to be the century of the do it. But the vision is as old as humanity some journalists, who criticised its million students into universities by radicals - By the strength of our common endeavour, we 2002. lack of substance. Anne McElvoy achieve more together than we can alone of the Daily Telegraph, called it The Policy Constitution - devolution vote will be followed up, Election funding rules to be tightened, scope of On Universities... Nolan Committee to be extended. Elected mayor for London following referendum “Universities in Britain had their funding cut by 40% under the Parliament - House of Lords to be reformed. Lords told “don’t try to wreck this legislation. We have Tories. The science and research base - once the envy of the world the votes of the people. You’ve got the votes of nobody.” - under threat. The Tories put a cap on student numbers. Only 30% of youngsters Europe - Social Chapter signed, Britain to resist the “bureaucrats’ Europe” and “lead in Europe” again in Britain admitted to go to university....The hard choice: stay as we are and decline. Or modernise and win. Under our proposals, no Health -Ten ‘Health Action Zones’ to be set up by April for “experiments with the way in which health- parent will have to pay more. Low income families will be entirely care is delivered.” Extra funding for NHS exempt from tuition fees. All students will repay only as they can afford to. And if we reform, I am going to pledge to you, that by the Northern Ireland - Encouragement to all sides for a continuation in talks, though “Every step is fragile” end of this parliament, we will put resources saved through reform into frontline provision in universities and further education; and the Home affairs - Dumblane debt “honoured” in handgun ban, “family unit” stressed, Zero tolerance on first 165million pounds is already in next years budgets. We will lift crime the cap on student numbers and set a target for an extra 500,000 peo- Foreign affairs - Pressure to continue for world landmine ban ple into higher and further education by 2002.” Education - nursery vouchers to go, school repairs budget extended, reform of teacher training, failing schools to be taken over News 1 n Features 3 n Letters 4 n Music 6 n Entertainments Guide 7 . Cinema and Arts 8 n Union News 9 n Notices & Personals 10 n Sports 11 . ed971003 Issue 914.qxd 07/05/98 14:41 Page 2 (1,1) 2 News Friday 3rd October 1997 n A 65 Million Year Old Bargain? Sotheby’s in New York will be auctioning Sue the Tyrannosaurus Rex on 4 October. The bones have been in storage for the last five years whilst the owner of Sue was contested. The fossils are as-yet-unstudied but Sotheby’s hopes to keep the fossils in the public realm. The auctioneers are promising three years interest free credit to pay off what is expected to be a very high price. (Science) Constant Fun At Planck Exhibition October 4 marks the 50th anniversary of the German Physicist Max Planck. Planck is best known for initiating the study of quantum mechanics for which he received the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1918. To commemorate his anniversary the German Physical Society is holding an exhibition in Berlin about his life and work. Exhibits range from Planck’s rucksack and ice pick to a film commissioned by Joseph Goebbels featuring Planck dis- cussing his life. (Nature) New Chief Executive At The Wellcome Trust Prominent cancer researcher Mike Dexter has been chosen to lead the Wellcome Trust into the next century. This is despite the fact that in his will, Sir Henry Wellcome specified that no money was to be used for cancer research as such. The trust has capital assets estimated to be worth more than £10 billion. The trust currently has a growing involvement in issues concerned with public understanding of science. (Nature) Medical Diagnosis Goes PC A computer program has been developed that can read ECGs (electrocar- diograms) more accurately than specialist doctors. The computer was 10.5% more accurate than its human counterpart. The result is welcomed given that an estimated 25% of ECGs are misinterpreted. Computers how- ever are not yet ready to take over the diagnosis of heart disease as a major part of the diagnosis procedure involves talking with the patient about their symptoms and medical history - a skill not yet mastered by a computer. (BMJ) Government Rejects 10% Pay Rise For Doctors The doctors and dentists review body has been told by the government that there will be no extra funding for an increase in doctors pay. Current pay levels are considered sufficient to recruit, retain and motivate doctors. Early retirement amongst consultants is not believed to have caused concern. The Music student Andy Blair, of the Surrey student band Housewife. government is also satisfied with the number of doctors entering general Photo: Stuart Parker practice despite a drop in GP registrars for the fifth successive year. (BMJ) Science news from Antonia Bayliss & Rob Dorey Wombling Free! ack your bags Teletubbies, the Henry S. Katt Wombles are back! And this Name and Address Supplied Ptime they mean business. After many heart wrenching Bulgaria getting help from all years away from our screens, these new young Wombles, those loveable, environmen- he’ll also be gaining the use tally clued up, bundles of fur of the Wom-fax and Wom- are re-emerging from their copter. Personally I’ll going lair to tidy up Wimbledon to be watching out for all the Common and push the likes other anti-grime gadgets, such of the Teletubbies off screen. as the Wom-ternet with Wom- To aid the old favourites of mail. Naturally all the Great Uncle Bulgaria, Wombles should be issued Orinoco and Tobermory in with Wom-bile phones to they their quest for tidiness some can respond instantly to any new characters are being emergency. introduced. New to the So next time you’re up screens will be full of spice, Wimbledon way lookout for Alderney, Stepney the cock- the new additions and watch ney Womble and straight out for Alderney, ‘cos she’s a from Brazil we have the intel- mean one on her skate-board. lectual Obidos. Not only is Great Uncle ed971003 Issue 914.qxd 07/05/98 14:41 Page 3 (1,1) n Friday 3rd October 1997 Features 3 Dead Man Silly Note on Silly Nite Walking (First Days) was so happy to lation, surely be here, so over- Mark Singelton this was meant Ijoyed at finally to be the best being here at the University of time of my life, I shouldn’t suffer Surrey, that I never saw it sneaking uncertainty like this! up on me like a tidal wave. I finished the day on autopilot, my How was I to know as I waved mind elsewhere than on taking goodbye to my parents that I was down notes, it was grappling with a already in the company of Davy concept nightmare for all shy peo- Jones? ple: - Making New Friends Like everyone else I went through The most piss my pants terrifying the motions of unpacking, sorting task I have ever come across.