thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-28--Zoe Ball Says She Was 'In Shock For Two Years' After Boyfriend Billy Yates' Suicide

Zoe Ball has spoken about the loss of her late boyfriend Billy Yates, claiming it took her two years to get over his suicide.
In 2017, the Radio 2 presenter was left devastated when her partner, Billy, took his own life, a loss which she has spoken about in a new interview with Red magazine.
She says: “I believe I was in shock for two years afterwards. It’s like you can’t see beyond putting your feet on the floor and getting out of bed each day.
Advertisement
“Since losing Billy, I’ve met lots of people who’ve helped me have a better understanding of the complexities of mental health. But also it’s key to remember there is help available for people living with mental health issues and there is hope.”
Zoe Ball Karwai Tang via Getty Images
The broadcaster previously said that she thinks her ongoing sobriety has helped her with her grief, claiming in an Instagram post in 2018 that she “wasn’t sure she’d have survived [the grief] intact” had she still been consuming alcohol.
“I’ve done a lot of work on my issues with booze. I’ve been able to forgive myself,” she told the magazine, when asked about her sobriety.
Advertisement
“It’s taken me a long time to grow up. There is help at hand with AA and other support networks.”
During the interview, Zoe was also asked about love, adding: “You find it everywhere. It’s in your friendships and your parents and your children and in music.
“Love fills your heart and breaks your heart; it’s so unpredictable, you don’t know where it’s going to come from.
“To feel love is the most incredible feeling in the world. To lose it will nearly end you and take you to your knees, but there’s always more. I look at my kids or my friends and think ‘I couldn’t love you any more’. And then I do. Love just keeps on coming.”
In 2018, Zoe completed a Sport Relief challenge in Billy’s memory, cycling for 350 miles from Brighton to Blackpool.
Advertisement
She ended up raising more than £500,000 for the charity, saying she was “truly overwhelmed” by the response.
Read Zoe’s full interview in the new issue of Red magazine.
Useful websites and helplines:
Mind , open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393
, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill.)
offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill.) The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email: help@themix.org.uk
is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email: help@themix.org.uk Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0300 5000 927 (open Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on www.rethink.org.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-28--This Is Your Body On Cheerleading

This Is Your Body On Cheerleading

How Verizon Media and our partners bring you better ad experiences To give you a better overall experience , we @ @ @ @ @ that are more useful to you .
For example , when you search for a @ @ @ @ @ search information and location to show the most relevant cinemas near you .
We also @ @ @ @ @ you ads for similar films you may like in the future .
Like Verizon Media @ @ @ @ @ show you ads that they think match your interests .
Learn more about how Verizon @ @ @ @ @ and how our partners collect and use data .
HuffPost is part of Verizon Media @ @ @ @ @ partners need your consent to access your device and use your data ( including location @ @ @ @ @ , and provide and measure personalised ads .
Verizon Media will also provide you with @ @ @ @ @ .
Learn more .
Select 'OK ' to continue and allow Verizon Media and our @ @ @ @ @ , or select 'Manage options ' to view your choices .

Courtesy of Netflix The docuseries “Cheer” follows Navarro College’s competitive cheer squad as they seek to win a national title.
The latest Netflix phenomenon is no doubt the docuseries “Cheer,” which follows Navarro College’s competitive cheer squad on its quest to win a national championship in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Advertisement
As “Cheer” shows, there are many physical and mental benefits to cheerleading, but there’s also serious potential for drawbacks.
HuffPost spoke with experts to find out what exactly happens to your body and mind when you participate in the sport of cheerleading. Read on for the pros and the cons.
You become stronger and more flexible
“Physically, cheerleaders are strong and flexible, as they combine elements of dance and gymnastics,” said Lauren Hennessy, owner and director of MVP Mentality Sports Psychology in Boca Raton, Florida. “Additionally, they require a great deal of stamina to perform. ... Cheerleaders may not always get the credit they deserve as athletes ― the sport requires a great deal of physical and mental strength, and bravery.”
Indeed, cheerleaders train their bodies to flip and twist, and combine these elements for stunts and routines. Through their training, they become more flexible and cultivate muscle memory.
Advertisement
Competitions like the championship shown in “Cheer” require intense training to master difficult routines. But Marc Lochbaum, a professor of kinesiology at Texas Tech University, noted that football game days can also be particularly demanding.
“I can’t think of a sport that has such an enormous variety of physical demands in an extended period,” he said. “You’ve got cardiovascular exercise for those long football games, but then also high-intensity interval training with the stunts. The high flyers have to be so ready, and the ones who do the holding are pretty darn strong. Cheerleaders are in incredible shape.”
Courtesy of Netflix "Cheer" follows the physical and mental growth of the athletes.
Your mind also gets stronger
Through their training, cheerleaders strengthen not only their bodies but also their brains.
“Similar to any elite skill training, cheerleading can strengthen important neural pathways in our brain,” said Chelsea Pierotti, a mental performance coach for dancers and an instructor in the department of psychology and neuroscience at the University of Colorado Boulder. “The brain’s neuroplasticity is its ability to change and adapt to our environment. Any time we train in an elite sport, of which cheerleading certainly qualifies, we will see changes in the brain at a neurological level which impact the mental toughness of these athletes.”
Hennessy noted that cheerleading offers many cognitive and emotional benefits, as athletes tend to have “highly fine-tuned” brains compared to non-athletes.
Advertisement
“Studies have found that athletes are better able to make split-second decisions, have better focus and concentration for longer periods of time, better memories, and they are better able to predict outcomes,” she said.
You feel a sense of social connectedness
“There is a social aspect of the sport that allows cheerleaders to feel connected with their teammates. Social connectedness in sports can help athletes deal with in-sport and out-of-sport stressors, increase motivation and improve interpersonal relationships,” Hennessy said.
In “Cheer,” the athletes often describe their team as a family and share how cheerleading saved them from toxic life circumstances. Having a social support system that feels like a family can be very healthy and good for personal development. But things can get a little dangerous when taken to the extreme.
“I think a big deal in cheerleading is this notion of identity, this sense of ‘I’m part of the team, I’m a cheerleader, this is what I do.’ In ‘Cheer,’ how many times did you hear something like, ‘If it weren’t for this team, who knows where I’d be?’” said Daniel Czech, a professor of kinesiology at Georgia Southern University. “Psychologically, you’ve got to be mindful of that a little bit because it can lead to unhealthy behaviour out of desperation to remain part of that group which forms your identity.”
You increase your risk of significant injury
This one is obvious, but important to highlight. You’re at a major risk for severe issues like head trauma and broken bones when you cheer. That’s why it’s absolutely vital to have doctors and trainers involved in the process.
Advertisement
“Cheerleading is a sport that combines high levels athleticism with significant risk, especially in the area of competitive cheerleading where the stunts are growing increasingly more creative and challenging,” Hennessy said.
The injuries may be even more significant in cheerleading than in other sports because of the nature of the stunts and need for immense trust in yourself and your teammates.
“Hesitations and fear could result in a cheerleader not doing a skill the way they were trained and could increase the potential for injury,” Hennessy added.
Courtesy of Netflix Injuries were a big issue on "Cheer."
The identity issue that Czech observed can also play into the injury risk.
“When you put your identity into your role as a cheerleader and think cheerleading is the only thing that will help you grow as a person, there’s a motivation to participate through pain and do things you wouldn’t normally do,” he said. “You can have concussions, ligament injuries, bone breaks, all that kind of stuff, but it’s almost like a badge of honor. If you had a healthier self-concept, you think twice about repeating the stunt that caused the injury.”
Advertisement
Your body gets exhausted more easily
Cheerleading, especially in a college setting, can be absolutely draining. During certain sports seasons, cheerleaders are constantly going to games, on top of training during the week. They don’t get much of an off-season compared to other athletes. And while football and basketball players get some time on the bench, cheerleaders have to be “on” much more consistently.
“We’ve collected data at football games throughout the day, and it showed that the amount of time cheerleaders spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity was the cardiovascular equivalent of running a marathon or more,” Lochbaum said. “It makes sense because the game day is so long ― about six hours from the pregame excitement all the way to the end without a lot of breaks.”
Lochbaum also noted that dehydration is a risk on long game days, and that there’s a sense of emotional exhaustion as well with the ups and downs of the action. The fatigue can make it harder to keep up with the demands of school and lead to poorer performance. It increases the risk of injury as well.
“It’s just the full experience of physical and emotional outlay,” he said. “Imagine running a marathon, plus having that emotional experience of the game, plus workouts during the week, and then having to be a student and take a math test.”
Your self-esteem can plummet
The mental and emotional effects of the sport look different in different cheerleaders and often depend on the coach’s approach. In many cases, cheerleading is brutal on the athlete’s self-esteem and mindset.
Advertisement
“When coaches and/or parents and peers focus on the physical image of a cheerleader, or the inability to hit a skill for example, it is devastating to an athlete’s self-esteem,” Pierotti said. “As a coach, everything you say becomes their inner voice. So if a cheerleader consistently hears that she doesn’t look right, or he isn’t strong enough, that will be the message they start saying to themselves.”
Negative messages from coaches, parents and teammates can foster negative self-talk in cheerleaders who may develop degrading personal mantras, lack of motivation, decreased skill level and even mental health disorders like severe depression and anxiety.
“The body image issue is a major one, especially with the outfits cheerleaders wear and so forth” Czech said. “The psychology behind that can be very detrimental and can cause eating disorders, exercise addiction and other negative things.”
But it can also soar
On the other hand, cheerleaders can develop positive self-talk and a healthy growth mindset if they hear positive messages about effort, growth, persistence, progress and belonging. These good messages can change pathways in the brain and in turn, boost self-esteem and even athletic performance.
“Let’s take Morgan for example from Navarro Cheer. At first, she is an alternate and not on the mat. But pay attention to what Coach [Monica] Aldama and Morgan’s teammates keep saying to her,” Pierotti said. “Coach communicates how much she believes in Morgan, even when Morgan isn’t so sure herself. Her teammates, especially Jerry, because he’s Jerry, yell positivity onto the mat and tell Morgan she’s good enough to do the skills asked of her.”
Advertisement
Courtesy of Netflix Many have discussed Coach Monica Aldama's coaching approach on "Cheer."
“Now it’s likely Morgan came onto the team with a growth mindset because of her own personality, history and desire for excellence, but the team helped encourage it,” she continued. “Even through pain and challenges, Morgan doesn’t quit. The trademark of someone with a growth mindset is that they believe effort is always worth it and hard work breeds talent.”
Indeed, there’s a joy and confidence boost in setting a goal to do a specific stunt and then achieving it through hard work and perseverance. And of course, physical activities like jumping around can release brain chemicals that promote feelings of happiness. The rise in confidence and self-esteem often also extend beyond the sports context.
“Athletes can find success in many areas of their life as they find success in their sport,” Hennessy said. “They internalise a sense of mastery and control, which can help to navigate various situations with less anxiety.”
Pierotti believes the finale of “Cheer” captures the power of esteem-boosting growth mindsets.
“When the team takes the mat for finals in Daytona, imagine what it’s like to be backstage waiting for your team to be called to the floor. What would be going through your mind? For many athletes it’s a feeling of panic and fear,” she explained. “You’ve trained for months for two minutes on the floor. You get one chance. That feeling of panic carries with them on the floor and they are likely to underperform, or downright choke.”
Advertisement
But teams like Navarro that encourage a growth mindset and focus on mental preparation for competition can better handle the intense pressure of the moment.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-28--Post-Brexit 'Points-Based' Immigration System 'Will Reduce Economic Growth'

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Boris Johnson’s plan to end free movement and introduce new immigration controls after Brexit will cut economic growth and barely im in people’s standard of living, a key report has said.
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) was commissioned by the government to help inform its plans to introduce and Australian-style points-based immigration system after Brexit.
Advertisement
But the report rejected a full Australian-style system, instead recommending a mixture of the existing model of salary thresholds for immigrants with a job offer, and introducing a points-based system for skilled migrants without a job offer.
MAC also recommended the prime minister cuts the controversial minimum salary threshold for skilled immigrants from £30,000 to £25,600.
Ending free movement for EU citizens, imposing salary thresholds and introducing a points-based system would reduce immigration and the total population but also hit economic growth through lower gross domestic product (GDP), MAC said.
The report said it also expected such a system to “very slightly increase” standard of living through increased GDP per capita, while forecasting a small boost to productivity and an improvement in the public finances, “though these estimates are more uncertain”.
Advertisement
The changes will also reduce pressure on the NHS, schools and social housing, but increase pressure on social care, increase the ratio of dependent children and elderly people to workers, and “have larger impacts on some sectors and areas than others”.
Briefing reporters, professor Alan Manning said the new system would have essentially “zero” impact on employment opportunities and wages for British workers, and said GDP per capita would only rise because the mix of people in the economy was changing.
“It’s not saying that people’s living standards will go up,” he said.
“Immigration hasn’t really harmed people’s employment opportunities or their wages but equally it hasn’t really benefitted it very much either.”
MAC's headline recommendation was to call for a reduction in the amount a prospective immigrant must earn to come to the UK with a job offer by £4,400 - to £25,600.
It also called for higher salary thresholds based on a worker’s occupation, with higher paid jobs having higher thresholds.
Advertisement
PA Wire/PA Images
Teachers, skilled NHS workers and other new entrants would continue to benefit from lower salary thresholds.
A points-based system should be introduced in the route for skilled workers without a job offer, MAC said.
Talented individuals would register their interest in coming to the UK with monthly invitations to apply drawn from the pool, in line with other points-based systems.
The MAC chair, professor Alan Manning, said: “Our recommendations are likely to reduce future growth of the UK population and economy compared to freedom of movement, by using skill and salary thresholds.
Advertisement
“We estimate very small increases in GDP per capita and productivity, slightly improved public finances, slightly reduced pressures on the NHS, schools and on social housing, through slightly increased pressure on social care.
“No perfect system exists and there are unavoidable, difficult trade-offs.
“The largest impacts will be in low-wage sectors and the government needs to be clear about its plans for lower-skilled work migration.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-28--Gavin & Stacey Creators James Corden And Ruth Jones Drop Cryptic Hint About Show's Future

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Gavin And Stacey creators James Corden and Ruth Jones have added fuel to speculation the show could return in some capacity, after the reunion episode smashed ratings records.
It’s now been revealed that last year’s Gavin & Stacey Christmas special – which debuted a decade after the BBC sitcom was last on our screens – was watched by a whopping 18.5 million viewers in four weeks, making it the most-watched TV show since records began in 2002.
Advertisement
Responding to the news, James and Ruth told Metro (in unison, we can only assume, that hasn’t been made clear): “It’s mind-blowing that so many people watched our show – we still can’t get our heads around it, what a massive compliment.
“We are indebted to the BBC for their incredible support but most importantly to those 18.5 million viewers for watching.”
Ruth Jones and James Corden as Nessa and Smithy BBC/GS TV Productions Ltd/Tom Jackson
They then cryptically added: “We just hope one day we can let them know what Smithy said next.”
Of course, they’re referring to the Christmas special’s cliffhanger ending, which saw Ruth’s character get down on one knee and propose to Smithy.
Advertisement
Addressing what comes next for the pair, Ruth previously said: “Genuinely I don’t know the answer to that.
“You could go either way with it. It could be the most ridiculous thing, or it could be a marriage made in heaven.”
Nessa proposed to Smithy at the end of the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special BBC
She continued: “But don’t you think it would end the interest? If they did become a proper couple, would that spoil it? These are all questions that we ponder.”
The Gavin & Stacey was lauded by both fans and critics, although 900 viewers complained to the BBC over the inclusion of an uncensored rendition of Fairytale Of New York in one scene.
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-28--Huda Beauty Has Launched In Boots. This Is What We're Shopping

Jamie Nelson Huda Beauty
Beauty fans, listen up. Huda Beauty, the makeup empire created by Huda Kattan, has finally landed in Boots.
The Dubai-based beauty blogger has amassed than 40 million followers on Instragram, where she shares makeup tutorials on how to achieve her go-to look: full coverage foundation, richly pigmented, matte-finish liquid lipsticks, fluttering lashes and high-shine eyeshadow.
Advertisement
In 2013, Huda unveiled her own line of extravagant false lashes, branching out since into foundations, concealers, eyeliners, powders, contour and highlighter kits, and lipsticks under the Huda Beauty name – a business she runs together with her husband and sisters.
Now Huda Beauty is available to shop online at Boots – and come April 2020, you’ll also find Huda products on beauty counters in 80 stores across the UK.
HuffPost UK Huda Beauty
Iraqi-American Kattan, whose shade range includes 20 differerent concealers, 30 foundations and five shades of cream contour, said bringing Huda Beauty to the UK high street was “both humbling and mind blowing”.
Arguably more exciting to the average beauty fan is that, if you buy two or more Huda products from Boots, you’ll receive a free full-size Demi Matte Lip in Dayslayer, a wearable creamy nude with brown undertones, while stocks last.
To get you started, we’ve picked our favourites from the Huda Beauty collection.
HuffPost UK Mercury Retrograde Palette
This 18-shade palette is a sight to behold. There’s a mix of matte neutral colours, shimmery coppers and lilacs, and a handful of high impact glitter-packed hues to play with, so you can go as bold or downplayed as you like. But go big or go home, we say – retrograde be damned.
HuffPost UK Huda Beauty Tantour Contour Cream
Sculpt your cheekbones with this lightweight, blendable cream contour pot. Ditch the bronzer – this is all you need for a sun kissed glow. Tap it on to your cheeks with your finger (or a brush) and blend out. It comes in five shades to suit across a range of skin tones too.
Advertisement
HuffPost UK Huda Beauty Overachiever Concealer
If you’re looking to cover up those dark circles or pesky spots that won’t budge, this product is your pal. A little goes a long way as it’s pretty full coverage, but it will last you for months. Running late? Ditch the foundation for this tube instead.
HuffPost UK Huda Beauty Matte & Metal Melted Shadows
These dual ended eyeshadow pens are a great way to try playing with colour. One end’s a velvety matte shade and the other a shimmery, metallic in the same colour. There’s 15 duos to choose from but we’re obsessed with Room Service & Do Not Disturb, a brick red hybrid that will turn heads. Get stuck in.
HuffPost UK Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Foundation
Advertisement
For a foundation that covers up all manner of sins, and most importantly lasts, the #FauxFilter foundation is in its own league. All 30 shades have a matte finish – holy grail for oily skin and as Huda herself puts it, Dubai proof. No amount of humidity will budge it. As with the concealer, a small amount will stretch so don’t make the same mistake I did and use three pumps in excitement. One will do.
HuffPost UK Huda Beauty Sapphire Obsessions Palette
Another thing Huda Beauty smashes is eyeshadows, with a handful of nine-shade ‘mini’ palettes in neutral nudes, colourful neons and vibrant blues like this one – perfect for a handbag friendly perk-up. For a look that’s minimal effort, maximum impact, we’d recommend applying the shimmer shades straight to the lid with your finger. Finish with lashings of mascara and voila, you’re ready.
HuffPost UK Huda Beauty Power Bullet Matte Lipstick
Pack a punch with a burst of colourful lippie in this rosy-toned shade, Honeymoon. Like most of Huda Beauty’s products, it has a matte finish, but if you want more definition, simply add a gloss on top.
Advertisement
HuffPost UK Huda Beauty Build & Blend Dual-Ended Eyeshadow Blending Brush
With so many eyeshadows to play with, a good makeup brush is a must. Blend light and dark colours seamlessly and pack on the glitter with this dual ended brush that can be used for both. Feel free to blend concealer under the eyes using it too. Just make sure you clean in it between.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-28--The Masked Singer: ITV Apologises After Jonathan Ross' Natalie Cole Mix-Up

LOADING ERROR LOADING
ITV has issued an apology after a mix-up involving Jonathan Ross in the latest episode of The Masked Singer.
During Saturday night’s pre-recorded show, the talk show host offered up his suggestion for the mystery star who might be behind Daisy’s mask, after hearing her perform a rendition of Nat King Cole’s Unforgettable.
Advertisement
As his fellow judges made their guesses, Jonathan claimed the song choice might be a hint that Daisy could actually be the legendary singer’s daughter, Natalie Cole.
The only issue with that – as viewers quickly pointed out – is that she died in 2015.
Jonathan Ross made an unfortunate gaffe while trying to guess Daisy's identity David Fisher/Vincent Dolman/ITV
To make matters worse, the mistake was also repeated on The Masked Singer’s official Twitter page, where they even tagged in Natalie’s legacy account – although the post has since been deleted.
Oh dear... they even tagged Natalie Cole who died in 2015. #MaskedSinger pic.twitter.com/Si1RxJ9nmy — Elliot Gonzalez (@elliot_gonzalez) January 25, 2020
Advertisement
ITV has now responded to the gaffe, with a spokesperson saying: “This was a genuine mistake by the panel. We apologise if this caused any upset to viewers.”
Natalie Cole RTNUPA/MediaPunch/MediaPunch/IPx
At the end of the episode, it was revealed that Milkshake singer Kelis had actually been behind Daisy’s mask.
Many viewers (and judge Rita Ora) had long suspected it was Kelis, due to her distinct singing voice and repeated references to her love of food and cooking, as well as a hint about her unique first name, which is actually a portmanteau of her parents’ names.
Advertisement
Seven disguised celebrities now remain in the competition, with two set to go home in Saturday night’s show.
Although it has yet to be confirmed by ITV, the Mirror has already reported that a second series is already in the pipeline, following the success of the current run.
The Masked Singer airs on Saturday nights on ITV.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-28--Are Cold Showers Better For You? | The Rundown By HuffPost

Are Cold Showers Better For You? | The Rundown By HuffPost
Cold showers may seem like the worst idea possible to a lot of us, but with a growing online trend in recent years, we look at the reasons why the people of history used cold water and why it may still be the best way today.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-28--UK Weather: Road Gritters On Standby As Met Office Warns Of Snow And Ice

PA Media
Snow and ice are predicted to disrupt commuters on Tuesday across large parts of Britain, where four yellow weather warnings are in place.
It may have fallen short of predictions it would be winter’s coldest night but the cold air overnight still managed to bring snow, sleet and rain across Scotland and England’s north-west.
Advertisement
The air that has pushed south from Greenland ensured a low of minus 4C (25F) was recorded on The Cairnwell mountain in the Eastern Highlands, the Met Office’s Helen Roberts said.
The cold air combined with a band of precipitation to produce sleet and snow, as well as icy patches, which could prove problematic for those in cars and on trains, the forecaster added.
“It’ll be an icy start for many, with a widespread frost and temperatures dipping just below freezing,” she said.
Up to 15cm of snowfall has been predicted in some places.
About 750 road-gritting lorries – 500 in Scotland and 250 in England – are ready to be deployed, the Daily Mirror reported.
Advertisement
The latest snowdar shows last night's rain, sleet and #snow clearing NE Scotland, but there will be snow on the ground in parts of the north this morning, with #ice in places too pic.twitter.com/VdW8HOz8p8 — Met Office (@metoffice) January 28, 2020
Showers are expected to arrive in western England and parts of Wales later in the day.
“But it will be a largely dry day in the eastern and central parts of the country,” Ms Roberts said.
The yellow warnings will expire between 10am and 11am.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-28--Government's £500m To Reverse Beeching Rail Cuts 'Only Enough For 25 Miles Of Track'

LOADING ERROR LOADING
The government is going ahead with plans to reverse historical rail cuts, despite critics warning its £500m budget is only enough to restore a small section of track.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps is due to visit Fleetwood on Tuesday with a pledge to give £100,000 towards a feasibility study into reopening the train line linking the Lancashire town to Poulton-le-Fylde.
Advertisement
The Fleetwood line was shut in 1970 as part of a ripping-up of Britain’s tracks, as recommended by the Beeching Report.
More than 5,000 miles of track and nearly 1,500 stations were closed between 1964 and 1970, following a report by British Railways chairman Dr Richard Beeching.
Another area that could benefit from the £500m fund designed to restore passenger services is Blyth, with Shapps granting £1.5m towards generating ideas for re-establishing the Ashington-Blyth-Tyne line in Northumberland, PA Media reports.
Boris Johnson last year during a visit to Thornton-Cleveleys Railway Station, on the disused Fleetwood and Poulton-le-Fylde line while General Election campaigning. PA Wire/PA Images
Advertisement
The announcement comes after Blyth Valley elected a Conservative MP for the first time in its history at the December election.
Shapps said: “Many communities still live with the scars that came from the closure of their local railway more than five decades ago.
“Today sees work begin to undo the damage of the Beeching cuts by restoring local railways and stations to their former glory.”
Critics have previously warned that the £500m allocated by the government, a manifesto promise being acted on by Shapps, was well short of the mark if all of Beeching’s cuts were to be reversed.
Labour has said the funding pledged by the government would reopen just 25 miles of railway, while the director of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, Henri Murison, said the investment was “relatively small”.
Advertisement
Speaking on the BBC Radio 4′s Today programme, Murison said the proposed plan was “part of the answer but it’s in no way a full solution”.
He said: “All of these projects have their merits but, take the line between Colne and Skipton – that’s a 12 mile section, that would use up about two-thirds of this entire budget.
“So the government has some challenges and if it’s serious about this it needs to put the right level of money in.
“It’s a relatively small investment in comparative terms to what’s needed in the wider network.”
Sim Harris, managing editor of industry newspaper Railnews, told PA news agency that reopening many of the lines which fell victim to the Beeching cuts would cost “billions”.
One of the last major re-openings of a line in Britain was the Borders Railway in September 2015.
The £294m link between Edinburgh and Tweedbank in the Scottish Borders re-established part of the former Waverley line, which fell victim to the Beeching cuts.
Advertisement
The government also plans to open another round of bidding for setting up new stations, allocating £20m to the initiative.
Two previous rounds of the scheme helped lead to the development of 10 new stations across England and Wales, said the Department for Transport (DfT).
It comes as reports surfaced this week that Shapps is considering taking the Northern franchise back into public control.
The Arriva-owned franchise has been dogged by a series of cancellations and late-running services after it introduced a new timetable in May 2018.
A DfT spokeswoman told PA news agency an announcement would be made this week.
“We continue to develop contingency plans for the replacement of the current franchise, and will set out next steps by the end of the month,” said the spokeswoman.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-28--‘Outrage’ At Washington Post After Reporter Suspended For Viral Kobe Bryant Tweets

LOADING ERROR LOADING
The Washington Post has come under scrutiny from members of its own staff after the paper made the controversial decision to suspend one of its political reporters for tweets she posted after NBA star Kobe Bryant’s death.
The Post’s own media critic criticised the suspension as “misguided,” and the company’s guild, which represents about 1,000 employees, wrote a letter to the newspaper’s management expressing “alarm and dismay” at the decision.
Advertisement
In the letter, which was signed by more than 200 Post journalists, Managing Editor Tracy Grant and Executive Editor Marty Baron were urged to “take immediate steps to ensure the safety of our colleague” and to allow her to return to work.
Our statement in support of our colleague, Felicia Sonmez: https://t.co/2GDbANeybb — Washington Post Guild (@PostGuild) January 27, 2020
The fracas over the tweets began Sunday after Felicia Sonmez, a national political reporter at the Post, tweeted out a link to a 2016 story from The Daily Beast that detailed what is perhaps the darkest chapter in Bryant’s life: the 2003 rape allegation and subsequent settlement from the Los Angeles Laker.
At the time of Sonmez’s post, Twitter was awash with messages and tributes remembering Bryant, who died earlier that day in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. Sonmez, who is a sexual assault survivor, wasn’t the only person to point out Bryant’s complicated legacy— but her tweet quickly went viral, and she endured an onslaught of vitriol and criticism.
Advertisement
In a subsequent tweet, Sonmez wrote that 10,000 people had commented and emailed her “with abuse and death threats.”
“Please take a moment and read the story — which was written 3+ years ago, and not by me. Any public figure is worth remembering in their totality, even if that public figure is beloved and that totality is unsettling,” she wrote.
Sonmez also tweeted a screenshot of her inbox showing some of the hate-filled and expletive-laden messages she’d received. As Vox noted, the screenshot contained the full names of the people who’d emailed the reporter.
Washington Post reporter @feliciasonmez deleted her crass tweets about Kobe Bryant. But screen grabs are forever – and I took some before she deleted the tweets.
Bye, Felicia. pic.twitter.com/IvNZHkiBam — Matthew Keys (@MatthewKeysLive) January 26, 2020
Grant, the Post’s managing editor, told Sonmez to take the three tweets down, which the reporter complied with; and Baron, the executive editor, reportedly emailed her a stern message to “stop.”
Advertisement
“Felicia,” Baron wrote, according to The New York Times. “A real lack of judgment to tweet this. Please stop. You’re hurting this institution by doing this.”
Grant later said in a statement that Sonmez had been “placed on administrative leave while The Post reviews whether tweets about the death of Kobe Bryant violated The Post newsroom’s social media policy.”
“The tweets displayed poor judgment that undermined the work of her colleagues,” Grant added.
The Post has not clarified which of Sonmez’s tweets prompted her suspension.
Reporter Matthew Keys said it was the screenshot containing the names of her critics that the paper had been most troubled by. But a Post employee told Vox that Sonmez was suspended because of the “totality” of the three tweets and not one in particular.
Kris Coratti, head of communications at the paper, told Vox that Sonmez had not been suspended in reaction to the public being angered by the treatment of a popular sports personality.
“That’s not at all what Tracy said, and that’s not at all accurate,” Coratti said.
The Post has not responded to HuffPost’s request for comment.
Many of Sonmez’s colleagues have spoken up in support of the reporter since her suspension was announced.
Advertisement
“There’s incredible outrage. The outrage is like nothing I’ve ever seen here,” Vanity Fair quoted a Post source as saying. “People just feel like it was way over the top.”
Eric Wemple, the Post’s media critic, chastised the paper for its “misguided” suspension of Sonmez. He refuted the suggestion that Sonmez had violated the company’s social media policy and said it was part of a journalist’s job to speak the truth about famous figures ― even if those truths are complicated and hard to swallow.
“The backlash that alighted upon Sonmez stems from the ancient wisdom that urges folks not to speak ill of the dead,” Wemple wrote in a Post column. “It’s a fine rule for everyone except for historians and journalists, upon whom the public relies to provide warts-and-all look-backs on the lives of influential people. Bryant clearly qualifies, as does the particular incident that Sonmez was flagging in her tweet.”
Bryant was accused in 2003 of raping a 19-year-old hotel employee in Colorado. The athlete admitted to having a sexual encounter with the woman but said it had been consensual. The case was dropped before trial after the woman declined to testify in court. She filed a civil suit in 2005, which they settled.
As Wemple noted, many obituaries recounting Bryant’s life have mentioned the rape charge. HuffPost’s obituary included a paragraph about the allegation.
Advertisement
In its letter to Grant and Baron, the Post’s Guild wrote that “it is our responsibility as a news organization to tell the public the whole truth as we know it — about figures and institutions both popular and unpopular, at moments timely and untimely.”
The Guild said the paper had failed to protect Sonmez even though she’d reported receiving violent threats that contained her home address.
Sonmez told Wemple that she checked into a hotel on Sunday night because she feared for her safety.
“Instead of protecting and supporting a reporter in the face of abuse, The Post placed her on administrative leave while newsroom leaders review whether she violated the social media policy. Felicia had to leave her home out of fear for her safety and has gotten insufficient guidance from the Post on how to protect herself,” the Guild wrote.
“We urge The Post to immediately provide Felicia with a security detail and take whatever other steps are necessary to ensure her safety, as it has done in the past when other reporters were subject to threats,” it continued, adding that the company should “issue a statement condemning abuse of its reporters, allow Felicia to return to work, rescind whatever sanctions have been imposed and provide her with any resources she may request as she navigates this traumatic experience.”
The Post newsroom appears to be in revolt against management's decision to put Felicia Sonmez on administrative leave. Many star reporters signed this protest, including the paper's columnist on matters related to gender, @MonicaHesse. https://t.co/wg5itV2pBI — Timothy Noah (@TimothyNoah1) January 27, 2020
Advertisement
The Guild also lambasted the Post for showing “utter disregard for best practices in supporting survivors of sexual violence.”
Sonmez was one of two women to accuse Jonathan Kaiman, then the Beijing bureau chief for the Los Angeles Times, of sexual assault in 2018.
“Assault survivors inside and outside this newsroom deserve treatment that is fair and transparent; that does not blame victims or compromise the safety of survivors,” the Guild wrote in its letter.
Speaking to Wemple following her suspension, Sonmez said she was “confused” by the paper’s actions.
“I would argue that not ignoring a matter of public record is the way to go and making survivors feel seen and heard helps Washington Post journalists rather than making our jobs harder,” Sonmez said. “We are more able to do our jobs because we’ve demonstrated to those survivors that we’re worthy of their trust. I’m a little confused. If The Post is arguing that letting those survivors feel seen makes other colleagues’ jobs harder, I’d appreciate an explanation.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-28--Federal Workers Say They've Been Gagged From Speaking Out On Trump's Impeachment

LOADING ERROR LOADING
For more than a year, a federal ethics agency has instructed federal employees to steer clear of taking a stand at work for or against the impeachment of President Donald Trump, saying that doing so could run afoul of the Hatch Act that bars them from participating in certain political activities.
With Trump now impeached and the subject of a Senate trial, a union representing federal employees says that the controversial legal guidance from the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) tramples on workers’ First Amendment rights.
Advertisement
As part of a lawsuit that began last year, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) filed an emergency motion in federal court last Friday asking a judge to block the guidance with an injunction. The union argues that the OSC, an independent agency now headed by a Trump appointee, has misread the Hatch Act in a way that’s created a “chilling effect” among federal employees.
Impeachment is “all that’s in the news,” Ward Morrow, AFGE’s assistant general counsel, told HuffPost. “If you’re going to enforce [the OSC] advisory in the conditions we have now, they’ll be investigating employees for the next 100 years. It’s all anybody is talking about, especially in Washington.”
AFGE has been waging its legal fight with an assist from American Oversight, a non-profit watchdog group founded by former Obama staffers that have been hounding the Trump administration over conflicts of interest.
Generally speaking, the Hatch Act, which dates to 1939, forbids most federal workers from engaging in electoral politics while on the clock or in their official capacity. While employees can make political donations or sign up new voters on their own time, they can’t urge their underlings to donate to someone’s reelection bid or pass out a candidate’s literature during the morning meeting.
Advertisement
Drew Angerer via Getty Images
The restrictions tend to boil down to advancing a candidate or party, and that’s where AFGE said the OSC misses the mark. The guidance, first reported by The Washington Post in 2018, argues that impeachment amounts to electoral politics because it can result in a president being barred from holding federal office ― i.e., that impeachment amounts to a scuttled reelection bid.
“If you’re going to enforce [the OSC] advisory in the conditions we have now, they’ll be investigating employees for the next hundred years.” - Ward Morrow, AFGE
But impeachment is a legislative process playing out in Congress, with the House sending charges ― in this case, that Trump abused his office and obstructed a congressional inquiry ― to the Senate for a trial.
Morrow said that, for the purposes of the Hatch Act, supporting or opposing impeachment is no different from supporting or opposing a spending bill being debated on the Senate floor. He added that someone’s views about witnesses being called in the Senate impeachment trial ― a key issue the chamber has yet to decide ― may have nothing to do with partisan politics.
Advertisement
The legal guidance drew enough heat immediately after it was released in November 2018 that the OSC quickly tried to clarify it, as Federal News Network reported at the time. But AFGE said the followup guidance only created confusion.
The clarification stated that it didn’t intend “to prevent all discussions of impeachment in the federal workplace.” For instance, it would be acceptable to “discuss whether reported conduct by the president warrants impeachment,” but it would not be acceptable to “advocate” for impeachment. One example of off-limits behavior would be displaying an ”#Impeach45″ poster at work.
AFGE said the line between proper and improper speech is unclear enough to muzzle workers entirely on the impeachment issue, for fear of prompting a Hatch Act investigation. Two workers at the National Archives and Records Administration filed declarations as part of the lawsuit: One in Maryland who wants to express views on impeachment, and another in Missouri who wants to be able to use the term “resistance.”
The OSC’s legal guidance states that using the terms “resist” and “resistance” in relation to Trump could be a violation of the Hatch Act, since the words are “inextricably linked with the electoral success (or failure) of the president.” AFGE argues that those terms are not necessarily political, unlike a formal campaign slogan such as “Make America Great Again.”
AFGE and American Oversight filed a lawsuit over the legal guidance last August, but they are now asking for an injunction because of timeliness concerns.
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-28--5 Easy Ways To Be A More Mindful Parent

5 Easy Ways To Be A More Mindful Parent

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Mindfulness has been a buzzy wellness concept for years now, with evidence touting its potential impact on reducing stress and improving focus.
Then there’s mindful parenting, which is kind of its own beast. By being present with your kids, the thinking goes, and slowing things down for just a bit, parents and kids are able to connect in more meaningful ways — and maybe eliminate stress for everyone.
Advertisement
“I think it’s really just a dedication to parenting with intention,” Kristen Race, a child psychologist and author of “Mindful Parenting,” told HuffPost. “Given our busy, hectic lives — and how incredibly busy our kids’ lives are — it’s easy to feel like you’re on a treadmill.
“We’re missing out on all of these meaningful moments with our kids,” Race added, “because we’re literally just trying to survive.”
Wondering how to make mindfulness a bigger part of your everyday? Here are five super simple ways to get started:
1. Make the most of morning drop-offs.
Any parent knows that mornings are straight-up chaos from the moment your feet hit the floor. Lunches need to be made, teeth brushed, butts wiped, clothes put on, emails answered. Alas, mindfulness won’t make that all go away. But it can alleviate the stress, even for just a minute or two.
Advertisement
Race recommends this simple exercise for your walk or drive to school, especially for younger kids: For one full minute, simply be quiet together and hear all of the sounds you hear. After, share what you noticed. This works even if your commute doesn’t take place in idyllic surroundings, and even if the sounds you hear are honks and sirens. “You could ask, ‘What is the farthest sound you can hear? What’s close by?’” Race said. “We don’t pay attention to that stuff.”
Another option: Ask your child to point out something (or things) they’ve never noticed before. The goal is to bring you both into the present moment together. Plus, it piques their curiosity, so by the time they charge into the classroom, they’re primed and ready to learn.
MoMo Productions via Getty Images
2. Practice three-breath hugs.
In this simple, lovely exercise popularised by Zen monk Thich Nhat Hanh, parents and kids come together, give each other a big ol’ hug, and breathe in and out together for three deep, coordinated breaths.
Though you can certainly do it at any time, Race said it can be particularly effective when your little one is having a meltdown, because it helps both of you get through a tough moment. Together.
Advertisement
“When we do this it calms our nervous system and it teaches our kids that we can use our breath to respond to difficult situations,” she said. “It teaches children how to calm themselves down, but it also teaches you how to calm yourself down.”
3. Put. Your. Phone. Down.
Yes, we’ve all heard this advice so often it’s like white noise. But you simply cannot be a mindful parent if you’re glued to your device all the time. You must set some boundaries.
In her own life, Race likes to stay off her devices from the moment her kids wake up until they’re dropped off at school — and then again for a full hour around dinner time. (Her kids are teenagers, so she asks the same of them, and noted that sometimes it can be a real struggle.)
“I ask people, ‘Can you start with 30 minutes?’” Race said. “We’re not talking about abandoning technology by any means. It’s just about being more intentional.”
MoMo Productions via Getty Images
Advertisement
4. List your three good things.
At the end of every day, maybe when your family is together at the dinner table or you’re helping your kids get ready for bed, try taking turns naming three good experiences from your day.
They don’t have to be big. The dog wagging its tail when it saw you. A moment in the sun. A quick, silly exchange with a friend at school. In fact, the smaller and simpler, the better in some ways.
When you make it a habit, you “start to become much more aware of positive experiences as they occur,” Race explained. “We’re kind of priming the brain to notice these good experiences.”
5. Remember: PBR.
No, not the beer or the Professional Bull Riders organisation. PBR is Race’s go-to acronym for parents trying to stay calm and grounded in the face of a tantrum or other unpleasantness from their kids. The “P” stands for “pause,” the “B” stands for “breathe,” and the “R” stands for “respond with intention.”
“It forces you to take one or two deep breaths, because when you’re stressed you only breathe in the top quarter of your lungs,” Race said. “And then you chose a response that can lead to the most positive outcome.”
Advertisement
Note: Responding with intention does not mean you’re simply letting your kid off the hook if they’re behaving inappropriately. Your response still might be authoritative. It might be stern. But the goal is that it will be thoughtful, rather than totally rash.
“You’re creating that little bit of space,” Race said.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-28--14 Unique And Personalised Valentine's Gifts For Him

HuffPost UK
As Shakespeare wrote, a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. But a rose with your name written on it? Now, that would be special.
So this Valentine’s Day, why not treat your partner to a gift that has his moniker stamped all over it?
Advertisement
Improve a cheese board by putting his name on it; make a guitar plectrum even better by engraving it with his initials; or ensure your boyfriend always knows which toiletry bag is his.
Personalised presents make you seem both organised and thoughtful – even though we have done all the hard work for you by rounding up the best things to personalise this V-day.
Huffington Post UK Metallic Personalised Favourite Song Sound Wave Print, Not On The High Street, £30
If your beloved is a music fan, get the soundwaves of their favourite song printed on a metallic card and framed. If you’d like to be extra romantic, choose the song that was playing when you first met, or the one you played for the first dance at your wedding.
Advertisement
HuffPost UK HuffPost UK
Sophisticated and stylish, this leather holdall is perfect for a weekend away or a mini break. Dimensions: W54cm x D27cm x H33cm, handle: L60cm W2cm, extendable shoulder strap: L78cm-L145cm.
Huffington Post UK Personalised Premium Quality Cheese Board Set, Not On The High Street, £34
Get him a cheesy card (preferably that says “We gouda together”) and pair it with this fromage board and a ripe selection of Stilton, Camembert and crackers.
HuffPost UK HuffPost UK
Advertisement
Yes, socks are a cliche. But monogrammed socks are cool – trust us. Plus they are in polka dot. We love.
HuffPost UK HuffPost UK
Reusable bottles are all the rage right now (for good reason, too). So if your man friend doesn’t already have one, why not let him get in on the trend? Doing your bit for the planet and keeping him hydrated is a win-win situation.
Huffington Post UK Engraved Leather Wallet For Men, Etsy, £23.46
Decrease the chances of your beloved losing his wallet by engraving it with his name, his initials or even the words “don’t lose me”. This one’s made of faux leather and you can decide on the message, the font and the colour.
Advertisement
HuffPost UK HuffPost UK
Is there anything more romantic than an illustrated print of you and your beau? Simply send over a photo and let Florence and Ottie do the rest. You can even add your pet to the portrait for that extra special touch.
If you’ve fallen in love with a man who loves video games and looking fancy, then we’ve got the perfect thing for you. These handmade cufflinks are laser cut and yours (okay, his) within a couple of weeks.
Advertisement
Huffington Post UK Personalised Guitar Plectrums, Not On The High Street, £12
Is your man a musician? Get his name (or band name) printed on these plectrums as a sign that you definitely completely support their desire to rehearse loudly at home.
Huffington Post UK Personalised Family Chef Chopping Board For Him, Not On The High Street, £24.99
If he likes to cook (or, as a joke if he doesn’t), get him this personalised wooden chopping board for all his meal preparation needs.
HuffPost UK HuffPost UK
Advertisement
Whether he’s a dreamer or planner, this personalised notebook with your choice of words on the spine and front will be the perfect good. It has 5 star reviews with customers praising its high quality finish.
If the survival rate of pot plants in your household isn’t great, go for something simple like a succulent. Pop it in this personalised wooden planter (so he knows it’s his job to feed and water it) and watch your love plant grow.
Whether they’re very good or an absolute disaster on the golf course, everyone’s got to keep score. This scorecard holder is tan leather, made in Britain and available gift-wrapped.
Advertisement
Huffington Post UK Single Malt Whisky Gift Set, Not On The High Street, £29.99
Everyone knows alcohol tastes better in a tiny bottle. Here are several, filled with the best Scottish and Welsh whisky for him to try.
HuffPost UK HuffPost UK
Capture a special moment for the two of you in a gorgeous constellation, whether it’s the moment you first met, your first kiss or your wedding day. Choose from six designs.
HuffPost UK HuffPost UK
Advertisement
Whether a frequent traveller, a gym bunny or a mess in your shared bathroom, your guy could do with a fancy new wash bag. This one is made from full grain leather-look NuHide® PU and is fully-lined with pinstriped fabric. Dimensions are 26 x 13 x 11 cm, so there’s plenty of room to fit everything in.
Huffington Post UK Personalised Wood Cutters Beard Comb, Etsy, £12
What more could a man want? It’s a beard comb on a keyring, with his name on it.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-28--How Footballer Eniola Aluko Pushed Past Her ‘Paralysing Fear Of Failure’

Valerio Pennicino / Getty Images / HuffPost UK Eni Aluko
Head In The Game sees athletes across a variety of disciplines speak candidly about their mental wellbeing – from occasional periods of poor mental health to ongoing, sometimes debilitating, struggles with mental illness. They also share coping mechanisms and the support they’ve turned to during their lowest points. For years, Eniola Aluko would sprint on to the football pitch riddled with self-doubt, thinking to herself: “Am I good enough?”
It was a silent struggle, compounded by the fact she’d been made to feel like an outsider, because she was female and liked football. “I enjoyed what I did and had the support of my family and friends,” she says, reflecting on her time growing up in Birmingham. “But externally, outside, I felt strange. People were saying horrible things when I was playing in boys’ tournaments and things like that. It wasn’t always easy feeling like I didn’t really belong amongst the boys.”
Advertisement
This month, the 32-year-old striker announced her retirement from football and was subsequently named as the first ever sporting director for Aston Villa Women. Her career has been filled with success – she’s played for major women’s clubs Chelsea and Juventus, and appeared more than 100 times for England. Off the pitch, she’s worked as a football pundit and is a trained solicitor. Last year, she penned a memoir, They Don’t Teach This.
But as she told HuffPost UK shortly before announcing her decision to step away from professional football, the self-doubt she felt as a young player remained with her for a long time, even at some of the highest points in her career.
“When it came to the really big moments, the crunch moments, I felt that paralysing sense of fear, because there was so much riding on the game,” she says. “I wasn’t able to channel my ability and, ultimately, I didn’t enjoy the opportunity. I didn’t know how to enjoy it, because I was so stressed about what was going to happen or what could happen.”
Advertisement
MARCO BERTORELLO via Getty Images Juventus forward Eniola Aluko playing against Fiorentina Women's in March 2019.
There have been low moments, she says, where she’s felt like she couldn’t rely on support from anyone else. In 2016, she was cut from the England squad for apparent “un-Lioness behaviour” after ongoing issues with management. She had spoken to the FA about the behaviour of staff, after claiming then-manager Mark Sampson made an Ebola joke about her Nigerian relatives.
Two investigations cleared Sampson and the management team of wrongdoing, but a third investigation later concluded that Sampson had subjected Aluko and a fellow team member to “ill-judged attempts at humour, which were discriminatory on the grounds of race.”
It was a long-awaited vindication for Aluko. Still, the fact that many of her teammates didn’t stand by her in condemning racism in the sport weighed heavily on the player.
Football, as an institution, needs to do more to combat racism, Aluko says. Last year saw repeated incidents in which footballers were targeted with racist chants and slurs while on the pitch – harassment that often correlates with a rise in abuse on social media, too. “It’s really just frustrating and upsetting that… these things are still happening, and the authorities aren’t doing anything about it,” Aluko says.
Advertisement
Players are frustrated, she adds. “I think there’s a lack of respect for black people, black players, for players of colour, from the authorities, because they’re not willing to do anything about it. That’s where the frustration comes from, I think.”
She believes the solution to the problem is simple, however. “The authorities like the FA, like UEFA, need to ban teams from competition, dock points and make sure that stadiums are closed if there are repeated actions and incidents,” she says matter-of-factly. “It’s really that simple. There’s really no other discussion.
“When it comes to other things in sport like drug-taking, match-fixing or corruption, that challenge the integrity of the sport or affect the players in the sport, there are heavy penalties against them. So why, when there’s racism, is everybody just standing around when it comes to the actual punishment? Ultimately, I’m not sure they actually care enough to change it.”
Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images Eni Aluko
After completing UEFA’s Executive Master for International Players, Aluko is now ready for a new challenge as director of football, overseeing the women’s team at Villa. She’s come full circle back home to Birmingham, where it all began.
There are many lessons she’s learned as a professional footballer, to ready her for such a role, but perhaps one of the most important is that she is the one who’s in charge of her own happiness and validation.
Advertisement
“If I feel good about myself, then that’s going to have a knock-on effect on how other people affect me,” she says. “It was a bit of a process for me, but I think once I figured it out – that happiness starts with you – then things still affected me, but not to the extent that they did before.
“I always try and tell young girls who have lots of self-doubt issues, and compare themselves to others, that you’ve got to be able to look in the mirror and really love yourself first.”
While she acknowledges that it sounds like a quote you’d find on Instagram, there are practical ways of doing that. Writing down what you’ve done in the week that you’re proud of, for example. Or, if you’re a footballer, watching yourself back and noting when you score goals or make a good tackle. Celebrating the small wins.
Chelsea Football Club via Getty Images Aluko with the WSL Trophy after a match between Bristol City Women and Chelsea Ladies in 2018.
“There are so many ways to feel good about yourself without having to rely on other people to do it for you,” Aluko says.
Advertisement
In order to overcome her fear of failure, Aluko had to really learn to live, and play, in the moment – and not overthink what could happen next.
“That was difficult for me, that was another process, to know that actually what’s going to happen is what’s going to happen,” she says. “You win some, you lose some – and ultimately, the more crippled you are with a fear of failure, the worse you’re going to be able to perform and accept the outcome.”
“There are so many ways to feel good about yourself without having to rely on other people to do it for you.”
Some of the best advice she received to try and tackle the issue was from her coach Emma Hayes, at Chelsea, she says. “She said to me, ‘When pilots are in a crashing plane, that’s probably when they’re the most calm. They’re trained to know the steps to take when they’re under pressure.’
“And I think we can have similar coping mechanisms, when we’re under pressure, like breathing and controlling your next action, as opposed to worrying so much about what’s going to happen if it doesn’t go your way.”
Advertisement
When failure does happen, though, it needs to be accepted – even embraced. Aluko doesn’t believe the topic of losing is spoken about enough in elite sport.
“In a bid to win, people don’t really talk about how to cope with losing,” she says. “But losing is very much part of the process of success – you’ve got to fail to understand what it really means to win.”
Visit HuffPost UK’s dedicated Head in the Game site to read our full series of daily interviews with sports people about their mental health and wellbeing.
Getty Images / HuffPost UK Head In The Game
Getty Images / HuffPost UK Head In The Game interviewees: (top, left to right) Frank Bruno, Jordanne Whiley, Becky Downie, Elise Christie, Andrew Strauss; (bottom, left to right) Rebecca Adlington, Liam Broady, Eniola Aluko, Marcus Trescothick, Jo Pavey.
Advertisement
Useful websites and helplines:


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-28--How To Improve Flexibility Day By Day – And Why It's So Good For You

You’re reading Move, the nudge we need to get active, however makes us happiest and healthiest.
What do you think of when you picture a flexible person? A yogi, bending over backwards into a crab? Or perhaps a gymnast, nonchalantly falling into the splits?
All too often, flexibility can seem unobtainable and many of us assume we’ll never fit that description. But it doesn’t matter if you can’t put your nose to your knees – being flexible can simply mean being able to cross your legs when you sit down, or tying your shoelaces without putting your foot up on a bench.
Flexibility is good for our health. There are several key benefits, explains Kenny Butler, head of health and wellbeing at ukactive and former physiotherapist. The first is that your mobility improves over time, which will continue to have long-lasting benefits as you age.
Advertisement
If, for example, someone sits down to put their socks on, rather than stand up, they’re restricting the way their muscles stretch. The longer they do this, the less likely they’ll be able to stand up and put their socks on in the future. “What’s next?” asks Kenny. “You have to sit down to put your trousers on?”
Being flexible is also a great way to prevent injury. This is especially the case for athletes or people training for sporting events like marathons. Health professionals also believe improving your flexibility can improve your posture, as well as reduce aches and pains.
Of course, flexibility isn’t the only component of fitness that has health benefits. We should also be thinking about strength, endurance and balance – but trying to improve all of these every day is unrealistic. So if you’re looking to focus on flexibility in particular – and improve it in a manageable way – what can you do?
Don’t shy away from slow exercise
It’s probably no surprise that yoga is a great option to boost flexibility, as it works your muscles against gravity. Pilates is also beneficial. Both build strong foundations to improve how flexible you are.
Advertisement
“Yoga is probably one of the reasons why Ryan Giggs had his longevity in football and didn’t have as much injury as his colleagues,” says Butler. “You’re moving your joints, your muscles, your joint capsules. It’s a superb exercise and something that can be done very cheaply.”
Speaking back in 2012, 38-year-old Giggs said: “Yoga helps me train every day because it gives me the flexibility and the strength not only to play the game, but to train as well.”
Athena Pictures via Getty Images Ryan Giggs
Annie Clarke, a yoga teacher based in London, believes many of us “shy away” from slower workouts like yoga and Pilates, because we’re so used to rushing around. This ultimately means we’re less likely to improve our flexibility.
“But if you’re someone who does a lot of aerobic exercise or sports, or sits at a desk for most of the week, it’s important to remember how important things like stretching are, whether or not that is combined with the other elements of practices like yoga,” she says.
Advertisement
If you do tend to veer more towards faster exercises – for example, running, cycling or swimming – doing the exercise alone will still boost your flexibility to an extent (you’re still moving, after all). Especially if you warm up first.
Warm up well
Many people tend to only do static stretches prior to cardio workouts, which you’d assume would improve flexibility – but actually, there’s research that suggests this has limited benefits on its own, says Butler.
The key to better flexibility is warming up with dynamic [movement-based] stretches, as well as static stretches. You often see footballers swinging their legs about or running along the side of the pitch prior to a match. Or, you may see swimmers swinging their arms before jumping in the pool to compete. “That’s how people become more flexible,” says Butler.
When you’re warming up, the best thing to do is to prepare the body for the specific activity you’re doing. This gets the blood flowing to that particular area. “You’re almost practising the skills and movement that you’re about to do, before you do it,” Butler explains, “to make your body aware of that specific activity.”
If you’re going out for a run, for example, walk fast and build up to the run. Don’t just stand there stretching your hamstring. This is something Jessie Pavelka, a personal trainer of 15 years who has launched fitness app, JP4, agrees with. “Generally speaking, if you haven’t warmed up [before a workout], I’d always suggest beginning with more dynamic stretches,” he says.
Advertisement
“The idea here is to not place strain on a cold muscle. Without the increased blood flow to the area that dynamic stretching stimulates, you risk injuring or tearing the muscle.”
Lisitsa via Getty Images
Be aware of your body
Knowing your body and the areas where your muscles seem tight can be a good indication of what you need to focus on when it comes to improving flexibility.
It’s an incredibly individual thing, after all. Pavelka recommends developing a heightened awareness of your body – so, becoming familiar with the areas that feel tighter than others. “It doesn’t mean that you only focus on those areas, but they should be your target zones for mobility,” he says.
“Ultimately, you want to feel good. If you’re sat down for six or seven hours a day without much movement, stretching could do you the world of good.”
Advertisement
This might be building 10 minutes into your schedule and simply saying, “I’m going to stretch”. And you don’t have to do this before or after exercise – you can just do it on its own.
Take a look at the one stretch personal trainers advise people to do to improve flexibility – including yoga poses like downward dog, as well as the pigeon – or search online for specific stretches that might work for you. It’s best to consult a trained professional before doing this if you’re building them into a routine.
The NHS has suggested flexibility stretches and exercises that can be done at home to help improve your mobility. People are advised to do these at least twice a week.
But don’t over do it, and know your limits. Clarke often sees people in yoga pushing themselves too hard and over-stretching. “People push into the deepest pose by relying on flexibility,” she explains. “This can cause injury, so having an awareness of your body, or developing one, is really important.”
Simple ways to improve flexibility day by day: :: Practise yoga at home. There are plenty of yoga videos on YouTube, or go to a gym class. :: Active travel. Instead of sitting on a train then sitting at a desk, add some activity into your commute. This could be standing on the train or bus, rather than sitting, or getting off a stop early and building a bit of a walk into your day. :: Active sitting. This basically means standing up and sitting down at intervals throughout the day. :: Have a walking meeting. This is great for meetings with two to three people, says Butler, but not many more than that. :: Take the stairs instead of the lift. If you want to push yourself even more, take two stairs at a time. :: Reach down to tie your shoelaces, rather than putting your foot on a chair, or a higher level.
Ultimately, focusing on flexibility takes time, patience and knowledge – so speak to a physiotherapist or personal trainer if you want a more focused routine.
HuffPost UK / Rebecca Zisser


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-28--I Was Diagnosed With MS At 22. Now I’m Trying To Change The Narrative On Chronic Illness

HuffPost UK Courtesy of the author
“My arm has gone dead.”
Not the worst thing in the world you may think – but for me, it meant my life changed forever.
I was 22 and had been working non-stop day and night to complete my university degree. I’d also been working hard setting up a business in my second year – I’d accepted the prospects of a job after I left seemed pretty slim. So when I had huge plans for when I left uni, determined to start my brand new career as an illustrator, designing anything that could have a pattern or character on. I had big dreams of everyone owning something with my designs on.
I’d managed to get a book deal for when I left, an agent to represent me at major trade shows around the world when I left, and I even had my work already stocked in some boutique stores while I was still at university with the promise of more when I left. I was so excited; all I needed to do was to finish university and start my new life I’d worked so hard for.
Advertisement
But life never quite goes as you expect it to, does it? The morning of my last day at university – it’s always the last day, isn’t it? – I woke up feeling paralysed on my left side.
“The business I’d painstakingly built up over the last two years was taken away overnight because I couldn't hold a pencil. It was the only thing I knew, and now I felt like I didn’t know who I was anymore.”
Still feeling numb and weird after a week, I was begrudgingly dragged by my boyfriend to my GP’s office for an appointment, where the doctor announced she thought I’d had a hemiplegic migraine, which causes localised weakness and numbness.
“Told you there was nothing to worry about!” I proudly declared to my boyfriend. Little did I know that diagnosis would change when the doctor rang the second I got home. She ordered me to go to the emergency room, immediately. She now thought I could have had a stroke.
Advertisement
A stroke?! I thought she was crazy, but at the same time, actually, it kind of made sense. I’d been working so hard after all, plus it meant the worst had already happened right? It couldn’t possibly get worse.
It got worse. A came out of hospital a week later with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, (what the heck is that, I remember thinking). I thought my life was truly, literally over.
The illustration business I’d painstakingly built up over the last two years was taken away overnight due to the lack of strength in my hands and inability to hold a pencil. It was the only thing I knew. I felt like I didn’t know who I was anymore. I felt like I’d lost my livelihood I’d worked so hard to build and my dreams were shattered before they got chance to start. My university degree that I’d poured everything into for the last three years? Suddenly invalid. Everything I knew was gone. My life had gone. I was gone.
HuffPost UK Courtesy of the author
It took a good four years of feeling sorry for myself, blaming myself for not looking after myself more before I accepted my diagnosis. I remember complaining “why me?” or “what did I do to deserve this?” People that I was friends with no longer wanted to know me. They didn’t understand what MS was and neither did I.
Advertisement
“What do I do now?” I thought. I decided I’ve got to turn MS into something good. But how? After my doctor told me in hospital to Google my diagnosis to find out about what this health condition was, as you can imagine I found every negative story going. So my initial thought was that I have to change what people see when they first get diagnosed.
I specifically noticed there was no ‘young voice’ on any of these MS websites at the time. There was nobody discussing how my condition was affecting me right now as a 27-year-old woman. Like for example, getting married and feeling pressure from family and friends to start a family of our own or getting a blue disabled badge and having people judging me because I didn’t look ‘sick’. I found out that most of the people already telling their stories on these sites were much older and had therefore already experienced a lot more of MS than what I had.
I began writing for the biggest charity I could find at the time: the National MS Society in America. Which by the way, took forever to convince that they needed a young voice. From there I started writing for English-based MS charities and magazines too.
“I realised my story can help change people’s lives when I realised my story was bigger than me...”
I never expected to be a writer. But what came next shocked me more: I started a podcast. Now, the DISabled to ENabled podcast is a series of interviews with people diagnosed with chronic illness who have fought through it to create something incredible. I’ve interviewed people such as the CEO of the MS Society, famous radio DJ Scott Mills, actresses like Ciena Rae, inventors like Barbara Alink, even Paralympians like Kadeena Cox and Ironmen like Conor Devine! Crazy, right? I used to be the shyest, quietest, most wallflower-like person you could have ever met, and here I was interviewing celebrities and influential people from all over the world.
Advertisement
How the heck did I get the confidence to do that? Well, I just asked them to be on the show. The way I got started building my confidence was by sharing my story on Facebook live videos when we had a wedding business about four years after my diagnosis. I’d never told anyone really about my diagnosis, so that was a scary thing for me. I mentioned on a video one day that I had MS and the response astounded me. Brides-to-be started asking for my advice for how they could navigate their wedding day with an invisible illness, how they could ‘pretty up’ their wheelchair or even how they could disguise their oxygen tank into their wedding dress.
That’s when I realised my story can help change people’s lives, when I realised my story was bigger than me. Telling everyone what I’ve been through could help give people a different perspective on their own lives. That then led to creating the ENabled Warriors Facebook group, which tries to help people who are newly diagnosed and be a place to go for other people who don’t feel like they ‘fit in’ with regular groups.
What have I learned from all of this so far? If something happens that directs you on a new path, don’t be afraid of it. It’s not a bad thing. I have a saying that I love: “It’s not the cards you’re dealt that matters, it’s how you play them that counts”. You are still capable of doing absolutely anything in life, sometimes you just have to be a little more creative to learn how to do it. Once you get past that, don’t take ‘no’ for an answer. Never let anything stop you from what you want to do. Take each day at a time and enjoy the journey. I believe in you.
Jessie Ace is a writer, illustrator and host of the DISabled to ENabled podcast


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-28--Period Poverty Is Real. How Do I Know? Because I Still Feel Dirty Decades Later

period poverty Reuters
Finally, the government has announced proposals that would allow schools the option to offer free menstrual products to pupils who menstruate. But despite this objectively positive news, social media was awash with people desperate to do the menstrual maths and exclaiming that products just aren’t that expensive.
The calculations go something like this: if we assume three to four pads a day for a three-day cycle, that’s one pack of pads at around £1 per pack, therefore periods only cost around £12 per year and period poverty doesn’t exist. As many, many people pointed out, most menstrual periods are significantly longer and heavier and one pack of pads is laughably underprepared.
Advertisement
So here’s my menstrual maths: My period lasts seven days. Five of those are heavy. I average five pads a day on heavy days and usually need a nighttime pad and a tampon at night. Let’s call that 35 pads to account for changing for exercise etc. That’s three packs of pads and a box of tampons and let’s say I get them at Poundland, that’s about £4 per period. When you add in painkillers, that’s an average of about £5 per month. Still low, but it’s probably a representative average.
If £5 a month doesn’t sound like much, I’m genuinely pleased for you. Really. Everyone should grow up in a world where £5 is an inconsequential amount of money. I did not. Families in poverty don’t work in pounds, they work in pence. Growing up, my mum knew the exact price of a slice of bread, half an apple or a packet of supermarket own brand crisps. If you want 7p noodle recipes, I’m your girl. You can be sure my mum knew the price of individual pads and tampons. When I came home from school in tears because bullies had followed me home and had opened my bag and thrown my sanitary towels in the road, she made me go back to look for them. We didn’t have the money to buy more. If I didn’t find them, I wouldn’t have them that month.
Teenagers going through puberty already feel horribly self conscious. Not having proper menstrual products is humiliating and degrading. I remember getting changed for PE and having to pretend to be ill because I didn’t have a pad and I was scared the toilet paper I had wadded up in my knickers would disintegrate and slip out of the bottom of my gym shorts. I didn’t have to do any acting – the anxiety made my nausea completely real.
“Of all the traumatic experiences in my life, living in poverty is the most significant.”
Advertisement
Improvised menstrual products or menstrual products worn for too long come with significant discomfort and risk of infection. Sanitary towels look lovely in commercials – all delicate lacy miracle materials that “lock in!” that delicate trickle of blue fluid for “all day dryness!” but the reality is that you’ve got wet cotton wool in you underwear. If you change it when it’s full, it’s fine. If you can’t, there’s a good chance you’ll get a nasty rash from the moisture and chafing.
When I put an abridged version of my experience on Twitter, lots of people got in touch to tell me that they used newspaper, cotton wool balls and toilet paper backed with sellotape to improvise pads when they were too broke to buy them. All these options carry the risk of injury and infection.
The core of this debate isn’t the practical side of period poverty – it’s the refusal by a section of society to entertain the idea that people in poverty might deserve more than just survival. “But cheap pads are available!” is from the same ideological bag of tricks that makes people tell food bank users that “porridge is very cheap you know!”. It sounds like sincere advice from someone who just wants to help, but in reality it’s a denial that true poverty exists in this country.
I grew up in the 1990s/2000s when our welfare state was actually pretty good. I was raised by a single mother who budgeted every penny. It was hard. Of all the traumatic experiences in my life, living in poverty is the most significant. I’m now very comfortably off financially, but the stain never leaves you. Last year, I went to a very grand dinner at Trinity College in Cambridge in a fancy dress. But when I walked through the door, I was still the scared, humiliated teenager searching in the gutter for sanitary towels. I felt dirty.
The situation is now much worse. We have more people experiencing more extreme poverty for much longer periods of time. On a practical level, free sanitary products will improve school attendance and attainment. On a human level, it grants pupils who menstruate dignity and respect.
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-28--NTAs 2020 Host David Walliams Booed For Caroline Flack Joke

LOADING ERROR LOADING
David Walliams was booed by the National Television Awards crowd after making a quip about Caroline Flack during the show.
The former Love Island presenter is currently awaiting trial after being charged with assaulting her boyfriend last month.
Advertisement
Having stepped down from her TV roles, Caroline was the butt of one of NTAs host David’s jokes after Emmerdale was crowned the winner of Best Serial Drama.
David Walliams made a joke about Caroline Flack as he hosted the NTAs ITV
After he thanked Joel Dommett, who appeared on stage with Hedgehog from The Masked Singer to present the award, David said: “So nice to see Caroline Flack back on TV as well.”
It was somewhat unclear whether David was referencing Hedgehog or indeed a clip from Emmerdale that was played as the nominations were read out, which featured a fight.
Advertisement
Caroline Flack has pleaded not guilty to assaulting boyfriend Lewis Burton PA Wire/PA Images
Either way, the remark was met with a frosty reception from the audience, with boos audibly heard.
David’s joke was also negatively received online – most notably from one of his critics, Piers Morgan, who branded the comment “nasty”.
Walliams' nasty little dig at Caroline Flack went down like a lead balloon.
A bit like his entire hosting performance tonight. #NTAs — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 28, 2020
I rarely tweet as I find its normally a place where people come to bitch, but I just didn’t get the #CarolineFlack joke hence I came on here to find out... now I know I realise it wasn’t funny, it was unnecessary and spoilt the night. I like class and he showed none. — Harris.sings (@HarrisSings) January 28, 2020
no that caroline flack joke was not funny ! 😾😾#NTAs — Indra Diamandis (@IndraDiamandis1) January 28, 2020
Advertisement
David Walliams should be sacked, he said it. That was bad the nasty dig at Caroline Flack crossed the line! #NTAs — Grace☺ (@gracex109) January 28, 2020
His comment on Caroline flack was unnecessary low blow. — liz mackin (@liz_mackin) January 28, 2020
Wow David Williams is painful to watch and then nasty digs at Caroline flack (scrapping the bottom of the barrel there!!) #NTAs — jubblyjob (@jubblyjob) January 28, 2020
Caroline was arrested charged with assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton in December, with a court later hearing that she allegedly hit him over the head with a lamp as he slept at her north London home.
She has entered a not guilty plea and will face trial on 4 March.
Advertisement
Posting on her Instagram Story, she wrote: “Good luck to all the team and cast at tonight’s NTAs… it’s such a fun night… cmon Love Island.”
The ITV2 reality show was nominated for Best Challenge Show, but lost out to The Great British Bake Off.
Caroline has been replaced by Laura Whitmore for the current series of Love Island, and previously broke her social media silence to wish her well ahead of the show’s launch earlier this month.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-28--NTAs 2020 Winners: Peaky Blinders, Coronation Street And Ant & Dec Win Big

LOADING ERROR LOADING
The trio each won two awards a piece at Tuesday’s ceremony, which was held at London’s O2 Arena.
Peaky Blinders was the surprise winner in the Best Drama category, beating both Killing Eve and Line Of Duty, while its star Cillian Murphy was honoured in the Best Drama Performance.
Advertisement
Anthony Byrne, Kate Philips, Sophie Rundle, Steven Knight, Emmett J. Scanlan, Harry Kirton and guest (left to right) accepting the Best Drama award for Peaky Blinders PA Wire/PA Images
Coronation Street’s Katie McGlynn was awarded Best Serial Drama Performance her her portrayal of Sinead Tinker in her cervical cancer storyline, which ended in the character’s death last year.
Her former co-star Peter Ash also won Best Newcomer for his role as Paul Foreman.
Katie McGlynn with the award for Best Serial Drama Performance PA Wire/PA Images
Ant & Dec also won the award for Best Presenter for the 19th consecutive year, while I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, which they host, won the Best Entertainment Show.
Advertisement
Ant and Dec won Best Presenter Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment
Elsewhere, there was a surprise win for Mrs Brown’s Boys in the Best Comedy category, where it beat the likes of Fleabag and Derry Girls.
Gavin & Stacey was also honoured with a special Impact Award, following the hugely successful Christmas special, which has since become the most watched non-sporting BBC show since current records started in 2002, with a whopping 18.5 million viewers.
Check out the full list of National Television Awards 2020 winners below...
New Drama
Chernobyl – WINNER A Confession Cleaning Up Gentleman Jack The Capture Comedy After Life Fleabag Derry Girls Sex Education Mrs Brown’s Boys – WINNER TV Presenter Ant and Dec Graham Norton Bradley Walsh Holly Willoughby Phillip Schofield Factual Jesy Nelson: Odd One Out – WINNER Ambulance Gogglebox Paul O’ Grady: For The Love of Dogs Gordon, Gino and Fred Road Trip Drama Line Of Duty Peaky Blinders – WINNER Call The Midwife Killing Eve Casualty Drama Performance Cillian Murphy (Peaky Blinders) – WINNER Idris Elba (Luther) Jodie Comer (Killing Eve) Suranne Jones (Gentleman Jack) Michael Stevenson (Casualty) TV Judge David Walliams (Britain’s Got Talent) – WINNER Simon Cowell (BGT/ X Factor) Sir Tom Jones (The Voice UK) will.i.am (The Voice UK/The Voice Kids) RuPaul (RuPaul’s Drag Race UK) Serial Drama Performance Katie McGlynn (Sinead Tinker in Coronation Street) – WINNER Danny Dyer (Mick Carter in EastEnders) Danny Miller (Aaron Dingle in Emmerdale) Gregory Finnegan (James Nightingale in Hollyoaks) Talent Show Strictly Come Dancing – WINNER Britain’s Got Talent Dancing On Ice The Voice UK Challenge Show Love Island MasterChef The Apprentice The Circle The Great British Bake Off – WINNER Newcomer Imran Adams, Mitchell Deveraux, Hollyoaks Jack Nolan, Will Noble, Casualty Jurell Carter, Nate Robinson, Emmerdale Max Bowden, Ben Mitchell, EastEnders Peter Ash, Paul Foreman, Coronation Street – WINNER Serial Drama Coronation Street EastEnders Emmerdale Hollyoaks The Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! – WINNER The Chase The Graham Norton Show RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Live Magazine Show Good Morning Britain Loose Women Sunday Brunch This Morning – WINNER Impact Award Gavin & Stacey – WINNER Special Recognition Michael Palin – WINNER


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-28--Why There’s Tory Trouble Afoot For Boris Johnson Over His Huawei Decision

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Sign up now to get The Waugh Zone, our weekday evening politics briefing, by email.
Rebel yelp
The actual decision on Huawei had been telegraphed (the 5G of its day folks, Victorians loved it) weeks in advance. That, plus the newly-assertive power of the whips in a majority government, may be one reason why the Tory backbench backlash was muted today when foreign secretary Dominic Raab appeared in the Commons.
Before anyone makes a judgement on exactly what the decision involves, I’d guide them towards this expert blog by GCHQ’s cyber expert Ian Levy. But Boris Johnson’s big decision, to allow the Chinese firm limited access to our next generation telecoms network, has certainly caused deep unease among several MPs who are beginning to question his strategic judgement.
Advertisement
It’s not just the worry among Brexiteers that the US will now play even more hardball on a UK-US trade deal (spoiler: they were always going to play hardball). Donald Trump, who conducts his international interactions more like Mafia protection rackets than mutual alliances, may not need much provocation to do that.
Congress, of course, has the big say over such trade deals. Republican senator Tom Cotton won the prize for most eye-catching quote, declaring: “I fear London has freed itself from Brussels only to cede sovereignty to Beijing.” And the condemnation was cross-party, with Democrat congressman Ruben Gallego attacking “this penny pinching action”, adding “our special relationship with the UK has to be reconsidered in light of this”.
As it happens, despite all the blood-curdling warnings from people like US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, our senior intelligence officials have had no threats from their counterparts of any loss of intelligence-sharing capability as a result of the Huawei decision. Such intel is transmitted via super-encrypted networks built by trusted homegrown firms and is nowhere near the 5G issue.
But the real reason that Tory backbenchers (and some ministers) are upset is that they genuinely fear the consequences to national security of a “high risk vendor” getting even a foothold in a technology that will cover huge areas of our future lives. And they are not impressed by the defence that Huawei has been here so long (since 2003) and is so embedded that it is now too difficult and costly to strip out of our current 4G systems.
Advertisement
It’s precisely because our intelligence officials have long experience monitoring Huawei that No.10 is so bullish. “Our world leading cyber security experts know more about Huawei than any country on earth, and are satisfied that any risk can be managed,” a senior Whitehall source said today.
Officials talk of ‘market failure’ forcing the UK into today’s decision. There are only three big firms capable of doing 5G here - Huawei, SonyEricsson and Nokia - and relying on just two would give them too much power over cost and timings. This whole headache for Johnson would disappear if Samsung had decided that European 5G infrastructure was worth investing in (as it does in the US) and the Brits hope their 35% cap today (Huawei was on course for 60% market share without any intervention) will encourage new players.
Although we were told today that the new policy was not a trade-off between security and commerce, and that the economic benefits of not banning Huawei were secondary, there’s no question this is a big factor. A total ban would have set back 5G several years and cost tens of billions in lost growth, given how crucial AI and other tech is to solving our productivity problem.
Among cabinet ministers there is so far endorsement. The National Security Council gave strong support today, although no one wants to give details after Gavin Williamson’s epic resignation (“NSC is like Fight Club,” one source joked today). And yet Tory backbenchers see a glimmer of hope in the fact that this decision is now subject to primary legislation (until a new law is passed, the policy operates through GCHQ guidance to the phone industry).
“This is not the end,” one MP told me. “This was not a defeat, we will have legislation that can be amended. We are not having our tummy tickled. And we are regrouping.” Even with a majority of 80, potential rebels think there may be 40 Tory MPs ready to back an amendment that reduced that 35% to a lower figure. Labour and the SNP, who were both very down on the idea of cost-cutting coming before long-term security, could easily ally with Tory MPs. I know it sounds far fetched now, but I also wouldn’t rule out resignations from government.
Advertisement
Today’s ‘disappointed’ Tory backbench responses in the Commons were more of a rebel yelp than a rebel yell. So far, Trump has also been measured in response, and No.10 didn’t give any clue of animosity in their read-out of his phone call today with Johnson. But there’s trouble afoot.
Quote Of The Day
“The only way to protect our safety is to ban it”
David Davis on Huawei and UK 5G
Cheat Sheet
Boris Johnson’s plan to end free movement and introduce new immigration controls after Brexit will cut economic growth and barely improve people’s standard of living, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) concluded. It also said a “points-based immigration system” was a soundbite not a policy.
An internal Labour party report presented to its ruling NEC has been ridiculed for trying to ‘whitewash’ the role of controversial community organisers in the election. Separately, the party sent an email to parliamentary candidates, advising any feeling stressed to seek help, including ringing 999 if ‘at risk of immediate harm’.
Theresa May earned around £50,000 for a speech at a dinner for PWC in Davos, Robert Peston revealed. Not quite the £100k commanded by Cameron, and a strange choice of venue for a woman who famously attacked the global elite’s ‘citizens of nowhere’.
What I’m Reading
The future of telecoms in the UK - Ian Levy, NCSC
Got A Tip?
Send tips, stories, quotes, pics, plugs or gossip to waugh.zone@huffpost.com.
Subscribe To Commons People
Each week, the HuffPost UK Politics team unpack the biggest stories from Westminster and beyond. Search for Commons People wherever you listen to podcasts and subscribe.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-28--Jeremy Corbyn's Digital Team Hits Out At Labour Party's Online Election Performance

Corbyn has more than 1.5m ‘Likes’ and followers on Facebook and 2.2m followers on Twitter.
Labour’s official Facebook account has 1.1m ‘Likes’ and the party’s main Twitter account has 825,000 followers.