Really? Will our government, our entire political system actually collapse over a few plumbing bills and some snacks? Maybe I stand alone, but I find this whole debacle quite refreshing. If the revelations of the last week tell us anything, it is not that we are run by a bunch of corrupt thieves, but that Parliament is in fact, as it is meant to, made up of humans just like ourselves. We have been offered a delightful insight into the petty and mundane lives of our MPs. Yes, they too buy digestive biscuits, and they too need to damp-proof their homes. And yes, they too don’t fancy paying for these things if at all possible. Do we really believe, those of us who answer questionnaires, and attend talks on matters we have no interest in whatsoever because of the promise of free cake, that we would not do the same as our representatives? Our MPs are merely older, and more tired versions of naughty schoolchildren, the ‘Backbench Kids’ to the Beano’s ‘Bash Street Kids’, pushing the limit until the teacher has had enough. Fortunately for them, the Speaker of the House seems more incapable of controlling them than the decrepit half-deaf Latin teacher.

In fact it is not our MPs who should come out badly from this news cycle, but us, the general public. While our eyes pored over the claims of the Honourable Member for Dumbarton, or some other constituency wholly unrelated to us, many have probably failed to notice, and to care, that war in Sri Lanka, a decades-old conflict, seems finally to be over, while Kuwait, a repressive Muslim state, has finally modernised and elected women MPs.

Of course they shouldn’t have done it. Just like many of us shouldn’t have gone out the night before a 9.15 lecture, or shouldn’t have put those chips back on the tray after they fell on the floor. These may seem trivial, but so are the expenses claims when you take into account the projected £18 billion cost by 2010 of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The real tragedy is not for our constitution, but for the poor overweight Alex Salmond, who claimed £400 a month in August and September 2008 when the House was not even sitting. And let us not forget Douglas Hogg, who claimed £2,200 for the clearing of his moat. Now that’s just plain cool.

Cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians shows itself in other surprising ways, perhaps none more so than the campaign for a joint Israel-Palestine bid for the 2018 Football World Cup. Promoted by the international NGO ‘One Voice’, the project has the support so far of 650,000 signatories. Highly publicised football matches have taken place between joint Israeli-Palestinian teams and such reputable clubs as FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.

In business, there is a rising tendency for Israeli technology firms to outsource to Palestine, with Asal Technologies and G.ho.st both employing across the border. Fittingly, the olive oil industry is another area of
joint enterprises, with Palestinian olive oil on sale in Israeli supermarkets. Could olive branches be offered across the border next?

While such examples of cooperation are not reflected in the dialogue, or lack thereof, between the national governments, it is reassuring that blanket animosity against the other side does not stamp out common humanity. Where government lets them down, people find other ways to build bridges between one side and the other; perhaps one day politicians will follow suit.

There is nothing more mind-numbing for most students than hearing their gap year friends bemoan the poor quality of Britain’s international restaurants compared to the real fare found on their ventures. The vindaloo down the local Indian never seems to shape up to the home-cooked curry they ate while doing a handstand on a yoga course in the Himalayas.

Fortunately for me, I fall into the category of the travelled food snob, among those who find nothing more enjoyable than reveling in the naivety of the friend who dips the sushi into the soy sauce rice-side down, safe in the knowledge of our own infallibility.

While the myth that it is impossible to find authentic international food in Britain is as wrong as eating sheep’s testicles, I must warn against going to Fiesta Mehicana for a taste of Mexico. However you may find yourself adorned with a sombrero humming along to a Latino remix of the Arctic Monkeys, having a thoroughly enjoyable time regardless.

On first entrance, the oppressively bright colour scheme (matched by the owner’s fiery red beard), and the sombrero-covered roof seem stereotypical to the point of being ironic. However, a few tequila-based cocktails later (£2.95, Sunday to Friday before 8pm) you realise that it is all just good fun. Sure the food may be greasy, and York may be just as bitterly cold outside, but for a few hours it is great to think of nothing but Tequila Sunrise.

On a less alcohol-centric note, it must be said that the food on offer at Fiesta is far from excellent. A starter of nachos (£3.95) came in a miserly portion, with greasy cheese and uncomfortably hot chillies. While my main course was more substantial, after a few bites I came to wish it was sized similarly to the nachos.

My trio of enchiladas filled with beef, cheese, and seafood (£10.95) was a bit of a letdown. The layout of the dish did not help, as the three fillings tended to blend into each other in mouthfuls, instead of being sampled separately.

The seafood enchilada was not good at all, while the cheese one suffered from a return of the grease, a problem faced as well by my dining partner, who ate the chimichangas. Such oily fare fits rather uncomfortably with a place that offers a ‘Skinny Menu’ (rest assured, reader, this was cast aside without a thought).

The desserts proved the high point of the meal. The kahlua ice-cream pie (£3.95), with a lavish serving of cream on the side is potentially orgasm-inducing, while the Zapata’s Treat, an alcohol-soaked fruit and ice-cream dessert is also excellent. However the quality of these non-authentic dishes just goes to prove where the skills of this restaurant lie. For a good dose of Mexicana, book a flight, but for just a good dose of fun, book a table. And always keep in mind the mantra: tequila, tequila, tequila.

And what of these others? I had been mocked by my friends for attending a protest, which they saw as the sport of madmen and communists, a theory I was sure to be wrong. The train journey to Charing Cross was full of fairly normal looking people, a sign I saw as promising. However at the station they all splintered off, maybe to watch a football match, or shop in the sales, or do things that normal people do with their Saturday. I, on the other hand, made my way down to Embankment, where I was met by a forest of placards made by and advertising socialist organizations. My firm resistance to buying a copy of this month’s ‘Socialist Worker’ was met by a confused and almost insulted look. My fellow protesters were not so stubborn however, as ageing hippies and students with bags coated in badges forked out for the magazine. It seemed my friends were right. I had joined the madhouse.

How, I wondered, was the Socialist cause related to the Palestinian cause? And why did I feel like an outsider for not being a Socialist at this totally unrelated event? Of course the protest was not entirely dominated by them; there were many Muslim groups, even a few Jews showing solidarity, and several normal looking people. But I couldn’t help but feel that we were all just gatecrashers at their party.

As we marched down Whitehall, I observed my fellow protesters. They knew what they were doing. They had come prepared with placards, they knew the route, knew the tunes to the chants they were bellowing. They were career-protesters. This was further confirmed as several started throwing rocks at the policemen on guard. The logic behind using violence against English police forces at a rally promoting a ceasefire in the Middle East is almost as baffling as that of the Socialists dominating the protest. For many of those attending, it seemed the actual issue of the rally played second fiddle to the practise of protesting itself. Songs, comradeship, and hopefully a few scuffles was what they came for. To them I say, you can get all that at a football match, leave the marching to those who really care about this issue.

It is no wonder that protests are given such little regard by the government. To claim that they are the voice of the people is a joke. That is not to say that the issues protested are a joke, not at all. But until career-protesters realise that their participation is not helpful, but harmful, that they are taking rational and popular standpoints into the realm of the extreme left or right-wing, then the protest cannot function as a valid democratic activity.

Can a place offering a purely vegan and gluten-free menu really deliver the goods? The answer, unfortunately, in the case of El Piano, is no. At best the food is hit-and-miss. As charming and endearing as the place is, a vibrant décor and pleasant service cannot hide the absence of real milk in the hot chocolate, or wheat in the bread.

Faced with a dessert menu containing apple crumble with rice milk and wheat-less crumble, and a cheesecake made of ‘scheeze’ (vegan cheese), one’s mind and appetite drifts towards the countless other coffee shops offering sumptuous pastries here.

The portioning at El Piano is difficult to master as well. Two tapas-size portions, (at £3.95 each) do not quite satisfy, while the full racion -size, (better value for money at £5.95) is in most cases only part of a meal. The soups of the day, similarly on the small side, are probably the best option, with fresh ingredients and a great taste. Unless you’re a celiac however I would recommend sneaking along a chunk of your own bread, the gluten-free offerings being dry and tasteless.

An original idea and a well-created vibe sadly have not been reflected in tasty food, and looking around at the other diners, it’s hard not to think that those looking happy with their meatless shepherd’s pies are perhaps just trying to look on the bright side.

At the east end of the Minster, La Cremeria offers homemade ice-cream and a unique selection of soothing drinks for chilly Yorkshire days. Perfect for a post-shop flop, the friendly service and lounge music make this a fine place to recharge.

Away from the bustle of the main shopping area, La Cremeria avoids the rushed feel of its competitors. Although fairly cramped, with tables only big enough for two, those in the know can enjoy swift and warm service, then sit a while, unpressured by waiting customers overladen with their shopping.

The café holds true to its Yorkshire roots with local art for sale, distracting from the otherwise bland decor. Sample locally sourced cakes alongside your exotic beverage, with choices ranging from red chai and cranberry latte to white chocolate and raspberry iced mocha. La Cremeria ensures satisfaction of even the sweetest tooth.

What it can’t offer, sadly, is a lunch menu to match. A small and all-too familiar selection of sandwiches, bagels, and salads do not match up to the treats available.

While the home-made ice-cream can boast quality, more diverse flavours would be needed to capture the tired imagination of a shopper. An odd blend of trend and tradition, though, La Cremeria is a nice alternative for your afternoon tea.

Obama refused to undertake the public funding scheme, under which he would have received $84 million paid for by American taxpayers, but would not have been able to raise further funds through donations. As such he has been free so far to raise $605 million in the 2007/8 cycle. This decision has been criticized strongly by the Republicans, whose candidate, John McCain, has undertaken the scheme, and the limitations on fundraising that come with it. The Republicans claim Obama’s decision is a U-turn on a pledge he made during the primaries to take the public funding money, as well as being a catalyst for an unequal election campaign.

The latter does indeed seem to be true, as Obama’s treasury of wealth allowed him to spend $87.5 milllion last month, more than McCain is entitled to spend in both September and October. The Democratic candidate is sure to outdo this figure in the immediate run-up to the election, especially given his spending on TV advertising. Obama has outspent his opponent by four to one on TV advertising in October, including buying up crucial half-hour prime time slots in the week before Election Day.

While the McCain campaign may complain about the injustice of such an advantage, and its corrupting of the democratic nature of the system, the Obama team point to the sources of its contributions. Donations have been made by over three million Americans, with an average donation of just under $100. This seems to impress a widespread support among ordinary citizens, and an enthusiasm for political participation never before witnessed in the USA.

They also point out that the fundraising programme itself is a result of a nationwide grassroots operation by supporters of all incomes. Indeed while over 60% of Obama donations have been under $200, and as such affordable by the general public, this figure is only 40% for McCain. These factors seem to show that the Obama campaign is in fact the one encouraging active democracy.

However this is misleading. The Federal Election Commission, the body set up to govern the financing of elections in the United States, requires disclosure of the names of all donors of sums over $2000, and from this information can be seen a very different picture. Open Secrets, an independent political research body lists the highest donors to each campaign. Both candidates have received vast sums from big business sources, but the $350,000 that employees of Merrill Lynch, the investment banking firm, donated to McCain is dwarfed by a colossal $750,000 contributed by Goldman Sachs employees to Barack Obama.

Indeed one-third of Obama’s contributions have been in sums of over $2000, frequently made at VIP receptions, with six hundred individual donations of over $25,000 in September alone. The Obama team admit that the scale of the contributions raised in September was the product of a huge drive for more cash, which included diverting some of their candidate’s energy from debate preparation and other crucial activities to fundraising. This seems to justify McCain’s accusation that his opponent is trying to “buy the presidency”.

With polls favouring Obama, but still close enough to swing, television and radio advertising are sure to play a crucial role in persuading the final few undecided voters. The Democrat can also, as a result of his cash flow, rely on a far larger staff across the nation than his opponent to register voters and get people out on Election Day. With a record amount of money raised, Obama is able to compete in supposedly safe Republican states where previous Democratic candidates could never afford to invest limited finances.

It may not be the major deciding factor, but the injustice of a campaign financing system, which can give one candidate free rein to raise money at will while simultaneously restricting the other for undertaking an arguably more honest and democratic method of funding, will be much talked about in the weeks and months to come. It has already and will undoubtedly play a part in influencing the result of the Presidential Election come November 4th, and it seems likely John McCain will return to one of his eight homes ruing his public financing pledge.