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Welcome to the Opinion Desk

Have an opinion you want to share? Want to reply to any of our pieces? Want to join the team? Then we want to hear from you! Click below to get in touch.

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A.I vehicles: Revolutionary and Dangerous?

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​ Intelligent, electric vehicles, have they got a place on our roads or are they just not ready yet? Can we trust the technology won't fail and if society can resolve the issues relating to widespread operation of intelligent vehicles?

Should we Embrace Positive Discrimination?

Online Learning

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As conversations surrounding fairness and equality become increasingly prevalent, should positive discrimination be viewed as a necessary evil? 
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​Online learning. Pointless or potential educational tool? Let's discuss the ups and downs of learning from home.

Attention all men: What can you do?

Is Christmas really that merry?

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In light of the recent events and statistics regarding sexual harassment, Ethan talks through what you can do to help 
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Christmas is marketed to us as a period of unmatched joy and happiness, but is this a mis-sold dream?

Is it really worth keeping schools open during the pandemic?

The RCEP Trade Bloc: Winners and losers?

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​As corona virus cases rise, the question of what to do about schools looms over Britain
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​The establishment of the largest trading bloc in history: who will benefit and who will lose out and how will it define this decade among uncertainty?

​21st Century: China or India?

​Is the Cancel Culture Epidemic really a problem?

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As the 21st Century witnesses the rise of two enormous emerging superpowers, it is yet to be seen how they will co-exist, if at all in the future. Is there enough room for the two of them, or will one have to go?
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Cancel Culture is talked about frequently in our modern society, maybe too frequently. Sam deconstructs this problem and concludes if cancel culture is worth worrying about or even a real issue.

Sleep Over Study? How One Hour More Could Change Your School Day

Is women’s involvement in comedy reflective of wider society?

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Find waking up for school early a drag? Here's how an extra hour of sleep a day could transform your school life forever!
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With female comedic dialogue being largely suppressed for many years, what social factors influenced this and how did change eventually come?

Archive 


Should the government raise the national minimum wage? The UK vs the US

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With a turbulent global political climate, the wages of our most vulnerable may be in danger. Should we increase our minimum wage? Sophie compares the merits to the UK and the US.

Anti-fascists and political violence: Ever acceptable?

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Are extreme measures acceptable in combatting hateful ideologies? Josh expresses his opinion on the matter.

The Influence of Literature on the Feminist Movement

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How has literature affected the ever changing Feminist Movement ? Ella explores

​Leather in Fashion

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Does animal leather have a place in fashion in 2019? Lara investigates the pros and cons of this fashion staple.

Knife Crime in Modern Society

Kim Kardashian Kim Kardashian Lawyer Becoming a Lawyer

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What can be done about the increasing issues of knife crime and why is it so prominent in modern day society?

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Kim Kardashian's endeavours into the legal world are much more interesting than you might think. Ella discusses.

India and Pakistan: On The Brink

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Conflict between two of Asia's nuclear superpowers has left the world wondering... are they on the brink?

Brexit: The People's Choice

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The political elite have dominated the Brexit discussion for too long- the people need to be heard.

Brexit: A leaver's perspective

What happened to Madeleine?

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Brexit has been a hot topic in politics lately. Is the result of the referendum really a bad thing?
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Following the recent Netflix documentary, here at the Network we're wondering what happened to Madeleine McCann ...

Is Comedic Censorship ever a Good thing?

Socially Conscious advertising

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Is offensive comedy good or bad? Is it up to the Government to decide? We are a nation who are controlled by one another's viewpoints.  Josh Explores.
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Are adverts using our socially conscious society to maximise profit ? 

Iceland's Advert: too political?

Is Santa a Bad Role Model?

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We have all watched it by now, so why don't they just show it?... Kayley discusses

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Ho Ho Ho... NO! Santa Claus has always been in our lives, but is that such a good thing?

Is ​​#Bodygoals Too Far?

Fur in Fashion

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Hannah discusses the affects that social media is seen to have on people, specifically teenagers.

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It is a constant debate around the world if fur should be allowed in fashion. Ailsa discusses

An end to gender pronouns?

Mental Health: Why the stigma?

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Are "he"/"she" style gender pronouns out of date in a modern non-binary culture or is this a step too far? Read the article and take the poll
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Following Mental Health Awareness Week, Ella Barnes discusses the stigmas surrounding mental health and how harmful they can be.

Sleep>Mobile Phones

History Surrounding Easter

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Want more sleep at night? Heidi Small explains why switching off your phone before bed might just grant you those precious hours of shut-eye.
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Do you want to know about the Pagan history surrounding Easter? Of course you do! Click here to find out Ella Barnes' take on the traditions

Valentines: romantic or pointless?

Should cannabis be legal?

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The cards, balloons and teddy bears are filling the shops. As we get close to the big day Ella Barnes debates what really is the point of Valentines day
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Emily Curtis considers should we take the step many are asking for and legalise cannabis in the UK. Read the article and let us know what you think

Is Christmas a Roman thing?

That Tesco Christmas Advert

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Is Christmas in fact the Roman festival known as Saturnalia? So, what is Saturnalia and how is it connected to what we know as Christmas today? Click here for the story
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Christmas adverts are everywhere however Tesco’s advert, released a few weeks ago, has caught some people’s attention – and not in a good way. 

Animals in Captivity: Right/Wrong?

 Does Feminism Exist in the Media?

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Is it always wrong to have animals in captivity? A debate that has existed for hundreds of years. Click here to read the arguments for and against.

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Feminism has picked up in the last decade - but has the media followed? Click to read about the all-but-feminist presentation of women in the media.

Footballers or Nurses?

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The pay gap between footballers and nurses is huge. Who do you think should earn more, footballers or nurses? Click here for the full article

Death Penalty in the UK?

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If the government says killing humans is unlawful then why should it be lawful for the government to kill people? Click here for the full article

Grenfell - Should we be angry?

Terrorism - Responding with love

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On 14th June 2017, the tragic Grenfell Tower disaster took place killing at least 80 people with more than 70 injured.  How should we respond to something like this?
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Juliet Morris on responding to hate and terrorism, with love, compassion and unity. An article on the Manchester bombing 

Freedom of Speech?

Rape culture in western society

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​In 2017 the term ‘freedom of speech’ is thrown around quite carelessly. Click here to read Jada's thoughts on this controversial topic
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As one of the most pressing issues faced in society today it is surprising how rarely  rape culture is discussed. Click here for the full article

Capitalistic Christmas?

Troubled Waters: Eating Fish

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As the years go on, Christmas is starting to revolve less and less around Christianity and more and more around money. Is Christ still in Christmas?

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Juliet Morris address the often ignored issue of over fishing. Read her opinion piece on why we should care and why we need to act before it is too late.

Mental Health Week Special: The education system and pressure

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The number of young people aged 15-16 with depression nearly doubled between the 1980s and the 2000s. Could this be the result of the ever increasing pressure of the education system?

History Repeating? Black History Month

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Every year we hear the same things about black history. In our predominantly white area, is that all we need to fill the Black History Month quota without really taking the time to delve deeper?

Why do we buy eggs at Easter?

Why vegetarianism isn't enough

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Easter. The fluffy Easter Bunny coming and delivering those scrummy treats we all receive on Easter Sunday. But, have you ever just taken a moment to look at the egg and think: why are you so important?
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The topic of veganism and meat eating can be rather controversial. Juliet Morris takes us through why she took the next step and became a vegan

Is Feminism Dead?

Mental Health: Live Debate Special

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Is feminism still relevant today or do we need to focus on other issues?
Isobel explores this current debate.

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The News and Views club held a special Mental Health Week debate on mental heath in schools. Click here to watch the video

Why are teens so grumpy?

A strong female character?

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“You're too young to be tired.” “Life doesn't get any easier.” It's no wonder teenagers are infuriated by the constant encore of stereotypes, and disapproval. Click for the full article
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What is a Strong Female Character? Is it the kick-ass, kung-fu, tight black leather jumpsuit-wearing female with flawless hair and skin? Read the full feature here. 

Rhodes: Poll Result Special

Models: Do they promote health?

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Read about the results of 13 student, Evie Mellors' Rhodes poll. What does it say about the issue and the views of H&E students? Read the full story here.
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2015 saw the banning of “excessively thin” models in France with additional restrictions on Photo editing. Can models now be seen as promoting health? Read More.

Can guys wear pink?

Why have LGBT+ History Month?

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No, is the simple answer to that question. “Pink is a girl’s colour” or so dominant social ideologies would have us believe. Read the full article here.
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In an ideal world, there would arguably be no need for LGBT+ History Month. Click here to read more on why we still this annual event.

Can you be "too young to be gay?"

Rhodes Centre Debate & Poll

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“You’re too young to know whether you’re gay or not”, accompanied by another (over-used) statement: “It’s probably just a phase.” Click here to read the full feature.

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The Rhodes in Bishop’s Stortford is very popular but how many are aware of the controversy surrounding Cecil Rhodes after whom it is named?  Read Evie Mellors' feature and take our Network poll.

Bombing won't kill Daesh

What is the point of Christmas?

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I’m not the first to say this, and I hope I am not the last, but the so called ‘War on Terror’ is a nonsensical idea. Ideas cannot be killed with military force, no matter how overwhelming. Click here for the full article.
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Christmas has been a huge celebration for as long as most of us can remember, but when and where did it originate, and is it still considered a religious celebration? Click here to read more.


50 Countries, one continent

​Do we need to know the anthem?

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There are many occasions when I meet new people and as soon as I speak they ask me “where are you from?” Emma Richardson on being European.
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Not too long ago, I, to my absolute embarrassment, asked a shameful question that no self respecting Brit should ever utter. I asked, ‘what song is that?’ Click here to read more

Baked to perfection?

Labels, labels, labels

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Over the series we’ve seen 12 contestants despair over everything from oven malfunctions to icing disasters. Yet the whole of the British public is obsessed with it. Click here for the full feature.
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Male. Female. Transsexual. Transgender. Pangender. Intersex. Intergender. Androgyny. Bigender. Cisgender. Genderless. Genderqueer. Genderfluid...
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