Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.What an amazing lot i readers are.
You came to Mosi Manchester for our party from all over: from Leeds, Liverpool, Cumbria - some from Suffolk and Glasgow! That is staggering devotion. Thank you for such disarming dedication, enthusiasm and brand loyalty.
Some 200 of you filled the bright one-year-old Revolution Gallery. More young people attended than at past events – reflecting the big student population. There were even some people who claimed to not be interested in being a print journalist! It was good to meet twenty-somethings who have graduated and actually got good jobs. And some older readers who told me that they had lost faith in both newspapers and politicians - until i came along.
What did we learn? One peeved gentleman clearly wondered the same thing. "Why?" he asked in a pointed fashion, "Why were we not asking him more questions?" The answer is that sometimes it is better to give than receive. These events are a thank you for your daily 20p (30p on Saturdays), and also a chance to meet the i team.
There's no doubt who the star of the show was, though. We were delighted Yasmin Alibhai-Brown came along, an opinion shared by many in the room. However, one older woman almost knocked me over in her rush to get to YA-B once I had announced her: "Good," she said alarmingly, "I can't wait to tell her how awful her column is." Yasmin may be physically tiny, but she is more than capable of looking after herself.
She also entertained us royally on the train back with tales of her exotic youth. It was a more sober affair than John Walsh's rendition of The Pogues on the way back from Birmingham, and perhaps all the better for it. So thank you to all who came; to Louise and Hannah from i for organising the event; to Mosi for hosting; and the i staff who made the trip. I will respond to all those I met on i@independent.co.uk or even on twitter.com/stefanohat
Follow @stefanohat
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments