Are you a Socialist like Ed Lollipop?

As I click my way through the latest online news articles on The Telegraph’s news page I come across a bizarre headline claiming, “Ed Miliband (newly appointed leader of the Labour party) says he is a Socialist but failed to join marchers because he was “doing something else.”

“What could he possibly be doing that was so conveniently happening at the same time as the student marches on Wednesday in London near Parliament Square?” I asked my sister Lollipop who was as usual totally absorbed in another showbiz article about Justin Bieber’s performance and success at the American Music Awards earlier this week. “Well he is a busy man sis, isn’t he a leading politician or something?” she absent-mindedly replied. “Yes of course he is, however he admits he was tempted to join in the student protests when clearly this would be inappropriate of a leading MP to participate in something that could and did turn violent. Why could he not just admit that instead of claiming that he was apparently “doing something else?”  

“How am I supposed to know sis? I can’t really see him ranting and chanting with any of my school mates that participated against higher tuition fees though.”

“Yeah I cannot see a forty-year old politician protesting with a crowd of teenagers against the outrageous rise of university tuition fees. “

“My classmates would literally tear him apart!” laughs Lollipop. “Exactly he knows that, so I wish he would not say such bizarre comments.”

“You are just venting your anger at him sis and all politicians because you hate how much tuition fees have risen and how none of the parties are doing anything to prevent it.”

“Yeah I guess I am but by looking at the photographs and images in local newspapers I am clearly not the only one who is angry.”

“My classmates were angry on Wednesday and they are still angry now because they are all in isolation, have detention after school, and are not allowed to go on any Christmas trips!”

“Wow that is harsh”

“I know my mates from the high school across the road were ready with their banners to follow my classmates and protest. However their head teacher warned them that yes they could go and protest, but if they left school they would not be going to prom! So obviously very few left the school premises.”

“That’s hilarious Lollipop but clearly they did not feel that strongly about the cause and probably did not want to miss out on an interesting day off school.”

“Yeah well a lot of them did decide to miss out, sis. The local newspaper makes my school look so bad though! They mention our school the most in the article even though other schools in our area were known to have also been involved. My head teacher went crazy although he did say in assembly earlier this week that he was against rising tuition fees.”

“His reputation is on the line Lollipop, especially with the newspapers suggesting that your school mates were the main instigators.”

“I know but it is still unfair!”

“It does seem like Ed Miliband and your head teacher do feel strongly about the situation but cannot participate because of their chosen vocations.”

“But is it right then to go against the people who can?” replies my sis. Once again Lollipop’s insight is quite interesting. Ed Miliband claims he is a socialist and that these beliefs are the reason he became a politician in the first place on BBC Radio 5 live. Yet it is this position that prevents him from supporting the violent protests and Britain’s current social beliefs and hostile frustrations.

Yep. That is how bizarre politics is at the moment in Britain!

I cannot believe you did not mention how many awards Justin Bieber won at the American Music Awards earlier this week on your last post sis!” Exclaims my Lollipop going off on a completely different tangent as usual.

“Sorry sis,” Justin Bieber won favourite pop/rock male artist, favourite pop/rock album, T-Mobile Breakthrough artist of the year and artist of the year.

Congratulations Mr Bieber! 

Lollipop: The Making of a Princess!

As I flick through The Daily Mail’s top headline on Kate and William’s Royal wedding and the announcement that Friday, April 29 will be the day when this “oh so special occasion” will take place I wonder if anyone in Britain (apart from those close to the couple of course) will actually be marking this special day in their 2011 diaries.

It is very, very unlikely that my sister Lollipop will be penning this royal event in her 2011 diary next to Justin Bieber’s UK tour dates. “It does not concern me sis, so why should I save this date in my diary and make my way to Parliament Square with my friends for the street parade? I would definitely rather save my money for Justin Beiber’s concert in March! Did I mention that I managed to get two tickets to see him at the MEN arena?”

“Yes Lollipop many times! Are you not excited that we get an extra bank holiday over Easter though?”

“That is the only good thing about this whole event! Even if these two people were not getting married I would still be enjoying my Easter holidays so it still does not really matter as I would still be off school even if they cancelled the wedding.”

“Actually you should still care about these two people getting married as the government and British tax payers like our mum and dad will still be paying for the policing of this event.”

“What! Why are we paying for this occasion? It is their wedding not ours!”

“You should be glad that British tax payers are not financing the entire thing Lollipop, The Daily Mail claims that this is a shock move as “the Middletons are set to share the bill with the Royal family to avoid piling the cost on the taxpayer – although the public will still have to cover the estimated £5million cost of policing,” I explain to Lollipop as I read the article aloud. “Five million pounds! That is ridiculous sis and the fact that tax payers are supposed to be grateful that they do not have to pay for this event is even more ridiculous, we do not even know these people!” I stare at the photo of Kate and “Wills” linking arms that has been plastered all over British newspapers. I then realize that although the media have nicknamed our prince “Wills” and seem to have always been on first name terms with Kate Middleton us as the British public know very little about them.

The I newspaper have produced an article about how, “the race is on for some right royal reads” as writers such as royal commentator Robert Jobson and reporter on The Sun James Clench have both authored books on this royal romance and are set for a huge book sales race. These novels are supposed to give readers a true insider account into the relationship and publisher Michael O’Hara states, “Royal events always stimulate this market.” However my sister and I are definitely not part of the target audience for these type of media related books. “My friends and I would rather read Justin Bieber’s First step to Forever, My Story than this bore.”

“Yeah I won’t be rushing to buy this like I was rushing to buy the last Potter book.”

“Yeah you were far too excited when the final Harry Potter book came out sis,”

“I know I did go a bit crazy! But it’s ok because everyone has gone Potter mad this week. These “royal reads “would give us an interesting insight into Kate’s new life though Lollipop”

“I am sure it would sis, but I am still not racing down to Waterstones to buy it, like I was for Justin’s new autobiography.”

“But don’t you want to know what it would be like to become a real life princess? Just imagine this book saying, “Lollipop: The Making of a Princess” instead of Kate,” I say to my sister as she wonders what it would be like to be Britain’s newly crowned princess. “Of course I would love to be a stunning princess like Kate, but that is clearly not going to happen so maybe these books are made for aspiring young princesses and other sad people who are obsessed with the British Royal family.”

“Bit harsh Lollipop. I mean a lot of people would think you are sad for lusting over Justin Bieber. A teen sensation you will never meet, let alone be with,” Lollipop shrugs and replies, “you are obsessed with Harry Potter a fictional character that does not even exist so perhaps we are all a bit sad.” I laugh at my sister’s smart retort but still disagree with Michael O’Hara’s claim that this royal engagement, “will bring people who don’t typically buy books to the market.” Most of the comments left on The Daily Mail’s website just below the article are quite negative towards the event. The latest comment reads, “The people’s this, the peoples that. What has this got to do with the average person, who is being screwed at the moment?” showing that not everyone in Britain is as preoccupied as the newspapers are with the Royal wedding. Most are more concerned about their finances even though most of us including Lollipop would not mind marrying “Wills” and becoming a princess on April 29th 2011 instead of just watching the regal occasion on TV.

What were you doing this Remembrance Day Lollipop?

As I flick through the pages of The I newspaper and quickly glance at the main headline proclaiming Harry Potter as “the great British success story,” I skip the main news story. As an avid fan of JK Rowling’s whimsical wizarding world I have clearly read all there is to read about the upcoming film and have exhausted my sister Lollipop with every aspect of the final book who is totally uninterested in the spellbinding novel.  “You are a Potter lover sis, which is quite shameful when you are 21 years old.”

“Says the true Belieber fan in front of me,” I retort and wonder if Lollipop has ever heard of the phrase, “pot calling the kettle black.”

“The girl that plays Hermione looks nice,”

“What, Emma Watson? Yeah her outfit is apparently, “a distinct departure from the demure dresses she has worn at previous Potter premieres.”

“Topped off with a Remembrance day poppy,”

“What are you on about Lollipop?”

“The night of the premiere was on Remembrance day so they are all wearing poppies silly.”

Lollipop’s acknowledgement of the poppy wearing fashion and the event that is commemorated by Commonwealth countries to remember the sacrifices made by the armed forces and civilians during periods of war, reminds me not just of the two minutes most spared to recall the official end of World War One. It also reminds me of the Muslim extremists who publicly marred the emotional events in Kensington, London.  They jeered and chanted “British soldiers’ burn in hell” as they burnt a giant poppy and protested against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Hours after it was aired on national news programmes dozens of Facebook pages soon appeared.  Currently, “Deport the Muslims who ruined Remembrance Day” has the most likes. I show it to Lollipop who is slightly shocked by the remarks and comments scattered across the site. The last one that was published reads, “if it was not for all these people who died for this country in past and future wars to give us freedom of speech in this country to let these c****s come over here and sponge our benefits if Hitler had won the war they would not be allowed to come to this country they would be shot or gassed,”

“Wow that is harsh sis, I mean how many Muslim extremists were involved?”  

“30, or around that number,”

“Well the page does clearly note, “Just to clear this up, this page is aimed at the select few who disrespected our country’s special event and not all the Muslim believers, and by saying, “deport the Muslims who ruined 2010 Remembrance Day,” I mean the extremists who protested.” But the page is still quite discriminating.”

“Yeah but it is people’s rants and views on this particular debate. The Daily Mail also claims, “Ironically, it was the freedom for which thousands fought that allowed them to stage their demonstration at the stroke of 11am – the exact moment the nation came to a halt at the Cenotaph, across the country, and after parallel services at British bases in Afghanistan.” So it is basically all about liberty and the freedom of speech Lollipop.”

“I understand, but the way people on these pages are retaliating makes them just as bad as the Muslim extremists.”

I analyze the Facebook page and dredge through the incriminating comments and am forced to agree with Lollipop.

Both opposing parties have used their freedom of speech in a discriminating and detrimental manner. If past soldiers and war veterans witnessed the Muslim extremists protests and read the comments I am quite sure they would not support either side. As Remembrance Sunday looms these pages of discontent are still rife and ongoing. One entitled, ““Let’s show these poppy burning bastards how many people want them deported”, has recently been removed. Whether the social networking site removed the page or the creator eradicated it is unknown, however this suggests that perhaps some comments and reports on the matter have gone too far.

“It just adds further to all the racism and terrorism that’s going on at the moment,” argues Lollipop. “Yeah, the recent videos on You Tube showing members of the Al Qaeda encouraging Muslims to use acts of violence and terrorism to show their faith are not helping either.”

“It is pretty severe but these Muslim extremists live here and the fact that they are showing no respect for British and commonwealth customs is disgusting.”

“I agree Lollipop, I agree.”

I also believe that war heroes across the world did not want us to retaliate and use our freedom of speech in this corrupt manner. “Shoot the f*****s  I am sick of the lot of them,” is now the latest retort on the page in a world where freedom of speech is clearly being abused in far too many ways especially during such a commemorative period.

“I would just ignore their protests and listen to Justin Bieber”

Typical Lollipop, Typical!”

Could You work in a Sweatshop Lollipop?

As I flick through my paper to the headline story I become more and more drawn to The I newspapers main article.  Channel 4’s documentary series Dispatches disturbingly, “exposes British sweatshops supplying big retailers” with clothes made in appalling situations!  I quickly inform my sister.

“We have to watch this Lollipop,” I exclaim as I toss her my newspaper and show her the main headline.

“Wow, I thought sweatshops only existed in developing countries. I mean we were learning about some in India during geography today but not in Leicester. That’s not far from your university sis.”

“I know, some of my past housemates live there. It is practically happening outside their front door.”

“Really? I’ll record it for later then sis.”

As we both sit and watch the undercover reporter Dispatches have employed to identify these illegal textile factories and work as a typical employer amongst all the other underpaid staff team I turn to my sister. “There’s no way you could pull that off and work in those conditions Lollipop. Look, they have not even got any safety guards on the sewing machines and the place looks like an absolute state, mate!” I explain, Lollipop snorts and replies, “ I could so do that job. In fact I would be under the tables and stock unveiling New Look’s brands and clothing,”

“Really? Yeah, I think you could work in a basement unit that is “cramped, overheated and inadequately ventilated with unsanitary toilets, dirty staircases and poorly lit corridors” too,” I sarcastically tell my sister as I read a passage from The I newspaper’s article. Lollipop shrugs and admits that, “ok, I guess it would be harder than I first expected but I would still do it, especially if its New Look clothing, I cannot believe they are exposing their workers like this! They are a rich, popular UK-based company so they can clearly afford to at least give their workers better conditions.”

“Yeah I am surprised at New Look too and BHS who are part of the Arcadia Group that also runs Topshop so clearly they too can afford to offer and ensure better conditions. However the reporter just said Sammi’s, the factory in Leicester they are investigating is actually a subcontractor.”

“Ok, so what does that mean?”

“That New Look for example probably has hundreds of suppliers who employ other companies to produce some of their clothing in order to keep up with the demand, so it is possible that they were not aware of the situation.” I explain to Lollipop who shakes her head and states, “still, I bet if they did know and I am guessing they do know now that they won’t do everything in their power to fix this. They are making money at the end of the day sis.”

“Yeah they say they will investigate but I can assure you that British sweatshops like this still exist,” I reply as I reread the newspaper article. Lollipop scrutinises the TV screen and the awful working conditions and compares it to the sweatshops she was shown in geography previously at school. “They look almost as bad as the ones my teacher showed us you know sis.”

“Yeah I bet they do,” I agree and suddenly realise that the people who manage and work in these various British sweatshops are probably from these underdeveloped countries where such conditions are quite normal and beneficial.  To them neither this documentary or newspaper headline is shockingly disturbing as they are accustomed to such ways of living. Lollipop obviously is not as she was bought up in a different community that perceives this as a “complete surprise and disappointment.” Therefore my sister finds it easy to joke about working in such conditions and discard New Look clothing. These suppliers do not believe they are discriminating against one other as they charge workers around £3 an hour for their services. They believe this is the only way they can support their family at present. Channel 4’s Dispatches will therefore not change such beliefs or improper practices however it has made Lollipop more aware of the impoverished working conditions people are suffering in not just in India but just down the motorway.

“On a lighter note sis, did I mention Justin Bieber won Best Male and Best Push act at the EMAs last Sunday?”

“Yes Lollipop, several times!”

Lollipop wants to know people! “Is There Anything, About tonight’s EMAs?

As I lazily flick through The Sunday Times a particular headline that claims, “Gap years won’t spare you fee rises, students warned,” reminds me of the recent stories that have graced the papers this week. Lollipop however is interested in more pressing news and grabs the newspaper off me asking, “Is there anything about tonight’s EMAs? Justin Bieber is not performing because he’s on tour but he is online hosting, whatever that means, so I will still see his gorgeous face!”

“You are so sad! Pass me MY paper.  Do you even know what any of these headlines are about?”

“I do actually! I want to know when the next Harry Potter film is going to be out in cinemas so I am very interested in the, “Magical? It’s more like the Mafia” headline.”

“No Lollipop, I mean the headlines that have occupied the papers this week,” I explain although I am momentarily transfixed by Emma Watson’s radical new statement haircut. I wonder if I would suit such a bold hairstyle. As I decide if a pixie blonde hairdo would compliment my dark skin tone Lollipop replies “what about the gas explosion in Salford, Irlam? I still cannot believe no one got hurt, not even the old woman whose house exploded.”

“Yeah, apparently she’s still in hospital.” The Manchester Evening news commented on the community’s spirit as neighbours suddenly became unlikely heroes. Of course in The Times only a small segment is dedicated to the Salford blast in the News Review as a national newspaper other headlines have taken priority like the rising tuition fees. However which headline is more important to my Lollipop? Early warnings that gap years won’t spare students fee rises in 2012, regional reports on the Salford blast, “or what about Barrack Obama and the Democrat’s  mid term election defeat Lollipop?” As the Republicans regained control of the House of Representatives Obama admitted earlier this week that he needs to do a better job at the White house press conference.

“Well of course whatever is happening in America is important. His actions could affect us and the rest of the world,” explains Lollipop who is absolutely right of course. It was only recently in The I newspaper that Obama was named the 2^nd most powerful man in the world ranked just below Hu Jintao the current paramount leader of the People’s Republic of  China. But should global news take priority in the newspapers and in the news broadcast even though most viewers and readers (Lollipop included) are more outraged by the rising tuition fees and shocked by the Salford Blast. “More attention should be given to national news as hard working families need to know how changes in higher education could affect their children,” states Lollipop. “Yeah it would be refreshing,” I add, “If national news stories were the first to be discussed on TV news broadcasts such as The Channel 4 News instead of an entire half hour dedicated to US political affairs.”

“Yeah after five minutes I got incredibly bored and switched over to the music channels”

“You just don’t understand American politics Lollipop,”

“I do understand, I just don’t care and would rather watch Justin Bieber or hear more about other news stories.” I smirk at my sister and ask “why what would you rather they report about on the news and in the papers?”
“They should report on the EMAs live from the red carpet. I mean it is global news sis.”

Surprisingly to my sister The Sunday Times did not mention the EMAs and instead chose to cover how the clips of Al- Queada preachers were encouraging viewers to commit act of terrorism and violence. They are now scattered all over You Tube amongst all the other music videos and entertainment that will most likely be heralded on tonight’s EMAs. Global news is often deemed to be more important by TV news broadcasts and national papers but at least Lollipop  is aware of other regional and national news events as well as the awards Justin Bieber is up for on tonight’s EMAs.

“Best Male, Best Push Act and Best New Act, Oh God I hope he wins!!”

Lollipop, the future aspiring graduate or Beauty school drop out?

As I worryingly skim read the online article from the Independent entitled, “Fury mounts over £9,000 a year tuition fees,” my mind suddenly recalls an earlier figure reported this week that 1 in 12 graduates that had recently completed their studies in 2009 were currently unemployed. These times are clearly hard for graduates like myself and yet the government increase tuition fees even though most current graduates are in no fit financial state to pay back their debts let alone future graduates who are now feeling quite disheartened and frankly put off by higher education.  

I gaze at my sister, Lollipop, a cute fledgling geeky intellectual just like I was at her age and know that she will probably be one of these future graduates as she is already clearly concerned by the rising tuition fees.  

“Do you want to go to University Lollipop?” I wonderingly ask my fifteen year old sister.  She does not answer me straight away as she is currently revising for a mock of a mock GCSE examination that her present high school have crazily devised. I laugh and wonder why I even asked Lollipop that question. I mean she’s actually revising for a mock of a mock exam! Of course someone this dedicated to their education at this age wants to go to university, especially when she has also seen firsthand via facebook how much fun I had at University.  However she’s also seen firsthand how much debt I managed to get myself into and how I have yet to find a decent job as I am currently working minimum wage at Dorothy Perkins. Although I knew that after I had graduated I would probably end up in another horrendously boring retail job due to the lack of graduate jobs and current government spending cuts I am sure my sister Lollipop had bigger aspirations for me. Therefore it is not just due to the rise in tuition fees why lollipop is somewhat deterred by higher education but also due to my current financial position and career prospects.

Of course Lollipop still wishes to go to university someday however she’s not thinking about what course or career she might want to pursue instead she admits, “I am going to have to choose a cheaper course over what I want to do, and I can’t even think about applying to well known universities like Cambridge. I will obviously have to stay at home, end of sis! I don’t want to get into serious debt like you,”

“You won’t be getting into serious debt like me Lollipop, you will be getting into mega serious debt as the British Medical Association says, “medical students would be left with debts of nearly £70,000.”

“Well obviously I am not going to be doing medicine then and neither will my mates if I mentioned that number to them.”

“Great! Less graduates struggling to become doctors or surgeons, instead your mates will probably take less acclaimed courses or not go to university at all.”

“Yeah less people are going to be educated, and those that are will still end working with you at Dorothy Perkins!” laughs Lollipop, “shut up” I reply, “I like my job!” We both laugh at that sarcastic statement. “You do realise that if you do a less popular course and stay at home you will have an even lesser chance of meeting Justin Bieber when you are older and probably much hotter,” I tell my sister. “Oh no! I completely forgot about my plans to follow Justin when I am older, I will have to start saving up now!”

“You probably won’t even like Justin when you finally save up enough money to go to university Lollipop.”

“You do not know that sis!” replies my bewildered sister as she suddenly realises her dreams of stalking Justin Bieber while she is at University without our mum finding out would be quite slim if she were still living at home.  I laugh at my sister but then suddenly realise that despite the tripling of tuition fees nothing has really changed for poorer hard working families as past graduates from such backgrounds always had to think about their financial situation first rather than their studies or future careers. In fact this “enormous financial burden” on future graduates shows that things are just going to get worst and will never even start to get better for other prospective students and my crazy yet insightful Lollipop.