Th e student ‘news’paper of Imperial College London Issue 1,402 felix Friday 9 May 2008 felixonline.co.uk The Wizard of Boz Inside International news weekly Felix assesses the new Mayor’s manifesto and his promises of change for the country’s capital over the next four years, see pages 3 to 6 Pages 8 & 9 ICU looking hot Pages 28 & 29 The Science Challenge finalists Centre pages 18th Century Roman art Pages 22 & 23 2 felix Friday 9 May 2008 News News Editor – Andrew Somerville, News Goblin – Matty Hoban [email protected] Student hospitalised after Queen’s Lawn comes under first floor window fall shadow of student body Tom Roberts Editor-in-Chief Last week, a student was taken to hospital after falling from a first floor window in Southwell Hall. The inci- dent occurred in the early hours of the morning on Monday 28th April. Emergency services, including the fire brigade, were called to the scene. There they were required to cut the student free, since he had fallen onto the railings below, avoiding a two-floor drop into the basement entrance area. The student was taken to hospital and initially put on life support. South- well Hall Warden Nick Voulvoulis told Felix that since the incident, the stu- dent has “[undergone] surgery and is now recovering well.” Students affected by the incident were offered counselling. If you would like further support, feel free to contact the College’s Counselling Service by telephoning 020 759 49637 or emailing [email protected]. The first floor window in Southwell Hall from which the student fell Plethora of Union positions up for grabs Kadhim Shubber dents. The Presidents are their respective Faculty Un- Politics Editor responsible for over- ion and lecturers and seeing, and represent- demonstrators in each Nominations are currently open for ing the views and wel- department. many, many positions throughout fare of thousands of The final positions the Union. Students can stand students, often in up for grabs are within for positions within the Fac- meetings with ICU, such as the Council ulty Union they belong to (ie: College and ICU Chair, who is responsible RCSU, CGCU or ICSMU), bigwigs. They’ll for steering debate (while the department they are in, or probably organise the remaining completely im- IC students pounced at the chance of invading the desolate within Imperial College Un- occasional hella- partial) in the Union’s policy Queen’s Lawn this week, basking in the glorious sunshine whilst ion (ICU) itself. Nomina- mashup too. making meetings, the RAG College’s fleet of marquees takes a well-earned break from hosting tions close at 11:59pm on Within the (Raising And Giving) Chair, numerous business-types and conference-goers. Several students Sunday. If you don’t want to Faculty Unions who organises fund-raising insisted that using the lawn during the exam period is a welcome stand yourself, voting for the majority are the departmental events throughout the year, break from stuffy libraries and crowded computer rooms. However of elections opens on 19th May, except societies (ie: Physoc, Civsoc, and more. they were obviously too intoxicated with the spirit of freedom to for the Engineering elections which etc). Each one will be elect- Look out for students cam- be taken seriously. News that several members of College staff, open on Monday 12th May. ing a committee – much like paigning and head to www. when approached by this reporter, said they were “too busy The most important positions to be a club or society’s commit- imperialcollegeunion.org/ sunbathing” to comment, is completely unfounded. elected are the Faculty Union Presi- tee – which communicates with vote to make your choice. Felix, Beit Quad, Prince Consort Road, London felix 1,402 SW7 2BB. Tel: 020 7594 8072. Fax: 020 7594 8065. Printed by The Harmsworth Printing Ltd, 17 Brest Road, Derriford, Plymouth. Registered newspaper Friday 9/5/08 ISSN 1040-0711. Copyright © Felix 2007. Felix was brought to you by: Editor-in-Chief Business Editor Music Editors LOLCATS Tom Roberts Afonso Campos Peter Sinclair Susan Yu Deputy & News Editor Politics Editors Andrew Somerville Li-Teck Lau Technology Editor Kadhim Shubber James Finnerty News Editor OF TEH WEEK Matty Hoban Arts Editors Travel Editors Rosie Grayburn Ahranyan Arnold International Editor & Caz Knight Nadine Richards Busybody-in-Chief David Paw Ammar Waraich Gilead Amit Emily Wilson Fashion Editors Copy Editors Nightlife Editor Sarah Skeete Louise Etheridge Greg Mead Daniel Wan Tom Culley Anthony Maina Film Editor Sports Editor Gilead Amit Zuzanna Blaszczak Jovan Nedić Jesse Garman Games Editors Photography Science Editor Azfarul Islam Sally Longstaff Ed Henley Sebastian Nordgren Vitali Lazurenko The next four years with Boris Johnson n the very first minutes of Friday 1st May, Conservative candidate Boris Johnson was declared to be the new Mayor of London. Al- most six hours after the results were supposed to be announced, returning officer Anthony Mayer read out the polling figures at I City Hall. Even though incumbent mayor Livingstone got a sub- stantially larger share of the second preference vote, his 1.03 million votes were not enough to defeat Boris’ 1.17 million first and second preference supporters. As the results were announced, Boris sheep- ishly shook hands with the other candidates on the podium, showing particular warmth to his strongest rival. After the speeches by Johnson, Livingstone and Paddick, referred to by Boris as the ‘strange triumvi- rate’, public attention was drawn to the results of the other parties. Coming fourth and fifth respectively, only 8,000 votes separated Siân Berry’s Green party from Richard Barnbrook’s BNP – a result seen by many in the public as a worrying outcome of this election. Bullingdon Boy Boris’ background is defenders have always known for the numerous gaffes that have bulletin: he didn’t consider his candidacy claimed that his bumbling plagued his public life. Consequently, de- serious enough. But a carefully managed was an act, that his gaffes spite being a well-known public figure, he campaign, free of any gaffes allowed the were just that and that in was seen as a liability rather than an asset public to forgive his previous misdemean- Hreality he was a competent to his colleagues; probably more useful to ours and put their trust in him. Boris the and intelligent individual. Such defence the tabloids than the Conservative par- fumbler gradually gained confidence in has been cold comfort for his detractors ty. Despite this, in 2005 fellow Bulling- debates and the intellectual that his de- who saw little evidence of a brain behind don Club member David Cameron, now fenders have always claimed lay beneath his floppy blonde hair. But after winning leader of the opposition, appointed Boris the surface, shone through. 1,168,738 votes in the London Mayoral shadow minister of education; his second Not everyone is convinced, though: contest, Boris has overcome his detrac- time in the cabinet after an abortive foray Paul Merton recently joked that Lon- tors and established himself as a serious under Michael Howard. Boris might have donders will soon remember that “he’s a political animal. continued steadily enough, always in the fucking idiot” and, furthermore, rumours President of the Oxford Union and a public spotlight but given little notice as are swirling that David Cameron is nerv- member of the Bullingdon Club, one a credible politician. ous about the possibility of a Boris-style might have presumed that his political Yet here we find ourselves in 2008, and Gaffegate damaging the Conservative career would blossom quickly, in similar the mayor of one the world’s richest cit- Party’s credibility nationwide. The true fashion to fellow Bullingdon members ies is a man who for years has been dis- measure of his transformation into seri- David Cameron and George Osborne. regarded as a bumbler. His election to ous politician will be his record as Mayor. However, he chose to enter the world of this prestigious position has been accom- He will either be remembered fondly as journalism instead, with varied results. panied by a miraculous transformation. an entertaining but ultimately successful Although Editor of The Spectator from When he first announced his candidacy, politician or the man who damaged the 1999 to 2005 and Conservative MP for BBC Political Editor Nick Robinson didn’t Conservative Party’s best chance of re- Henley from 2001, he was, and still is, best think it should appear on the main news gaining power after 13 years. Boris’ recreational pursuits caught on camera In a moment of hilarity caught on national television, Boris attempts to tackle an opposition player in a charity football match. I, Boris Johnson, pledge to... Tackle gang culture With the rise in violent crimes amongst teenagers, addressing this issue is one of the most important tasks the Mayor faces; 12 teenagers have died as a result of violent crime this year alone. Boris campaigned on his assertion that tackling minor crime would successfully miti- gate more serious crime. To reduce the number of knives and guns carried onto buses and trains, he plans to introduce handheld scanners at a cost of £2.6m. Boris also believes police are burdened by bureaucracy and has signalled his intent to lighten police hours by putting an end to the “stop and account” form. Boris’ promise to tackle gang culture was an intention shared by his rivals. Whilst his focus on respect in society is bold, one would be surprised if he had the magic formula to this national problem. Improve London’s transport Boris’ policy is two-fold, focussing on transport crime as well as efficiency and quality of serv- ice.