WeeklyList No.1

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Here’s our first weekly roundup of some of the week’s most important stories in the papers and on the web.

LORD CASHCROFT

Donations made by the Tories’ biggest donor, Tax exile Lord Ashcroft, are to be investigated for proprietry by the Electoral Commission.

Now his wife is donating huge sums. Well will he come clean?

Meanwhile, the Tories have found a new way to launder money.

CLAW BACK FRED THE SHED’S PENSION

RBS have posted record losses and Alastair Darling outlines “Operation Broom” to clean up the banks.

LabourHome asks why the former RBS boss is getting such a huge pension.

LabourList has called for former RBS CEO Sir Fred Goodwin’s pension to be clawed back.

John Prescott has also joined the fight on his blog.

You can read the full political briefing on the government’s policy on RBS here.

Read his arrogant letter in full.

IT’S THE ECONOMY, STUPID!

The Prime Minster has met other European leaders to push for sweeping new bank regulations to protect us from future crises.

In the meantime, he is also leading plans to reinflate the British economy today, by injecting £100 billion back to the high street.

ROYAL MAIL

The Prime Minister faces a battle in Parliament if he’s to pass legislation to save Royal Mail with private money.

Kevin Maguire says it’s time to drop the plans and instead take the offensive to the Tories.

Jean Eaglesham in the FT answers your questions on the details of the proposal and the future of the Royal Mail.

Hamish McRae says the Royal Mail has been badly managed, now it’s time to let the private sector have a go.

And The Independent editorial says the Royal Mail will die without urgent reform now.

AFTER TWELVE YEARS IN GOVERNMENT, WHERE ARE WE ON FAIRNESS?

The FT looks at the figures and politics of welfare reform over the last thirty years.

And the Guardian asks, has Britain become fairer under New Labour?

RACE AND THE MET

Justice Secretary Jack Straw says that the Metropolitan Police is no longer “institutionally racist”.

But Trevor Phillips looks at why there is still much, much more to do in a candid interview.

Doreen Lawrence says police racism continues ten years after the inquiry into her son Stephen’s murder.

Paul Boateng looks at the problems in the Met then and now.

GUANTANAMO

Binyam Mohamed has released an emotive statement in the wake of his release from Cuba.

FINALLIST

The Guardian worryingly predicts a summer of violence in the UK.

The Financial Times offers a timely reminder that there is still more to do on social housing, especially during the recession.

Jackie Ashley on how social media may be making us think and behave in an entirely new way.

LabourList’s editor gets grilled in the Independent’s ‘You ask the questions’.

Apparently, Hitler had grand intentions for Blackpool as his playground.

Katherine Griffiths thinks about how we might shape banks to come out of the recession stronger.

Steve Richards in The Indpendent celebrates the return of heated debate and hungry characters in the cabinet.

Boris takes us, and his kids, through a selection of his favourite DVDs.

After his recent trip to Afghanistan, the Foreign Secretary looks at the state of play on the front lines.

In recognition of Gordon Brown’s leaderrship of the global economy, he will be only the 5th PM in history to address a joint session of Congress in Washington next week.

Jonathan Freedland shows how Gordon and Barack’s own special relationship will be mutually beneficial.

Alastair Darling shapes the future of our finance industry.

Ed Milibnd makes the case for clean coal.

Hazel Blears has had a rethink on dealing with Islamic extremists.

The author of No Logo shows us why the values and ideas of the Left must fill the vacuum caused by failing markets.

Caroline Flint warns unions and leftwing MPs not to unintentionally aid the BNP, in the next edition of Progress.

Jack Straw defends the government’s record on civil liberties, and the Justice Secretary gives a revealing interview to the Mail.

MONDAY’S COMMENT OF THE DAY:

“If Brown’s historic prudence is pure myth, his wastefulness is pure lies. For a future under Labour, expect investment in public services, wealth redistribution (albeit modest), the continuance of a welfare system to underpin one of the most flexible labour markets in the world. In other words, expect a plan. A plan led by government but with an ear to the needs of business and a heart turned to the needs of people. And from the Tories. Expect tax cuts. Expect service cuts. Expect an end to investment. Now. I’d love to hear where I am wrong on this. I’d love to hear a reason to be positive about the great likelihood that my children will be growing up under a Conservative government. Please. Post.” Michael Flexer

TUESDAY’S COMMENT OF THE DAY:

“I’d urge everyone not to spend too much time worrying about Melanie Phillips. She is the Hyacinth Bucket of columnists – she thinks nobody is as clever, tasteful, moral, intelligent well-informed as she is. She doesn’t like anybody or anything. She is a professional misanthrope.” Alan Giles

WEDNESDAY’S COMMENT OF THE DAY:

“12 years on and capitalism has fallen on its own sword, only partly delivering to some of society. Embrace the new age of responsibility, accept that government must act to encourage innovation and modernisation by collective means and a shared publically owned means, dont get bogged down by the notion that private cash is always better, christ! The go it alone private brigade have hardly lit up British industry for decades.” Derek Barker

THURSDAY’S COMMENT OF THE DAY:

“House prices can no longer be used as a tool to gain electoral favour. It has been a disaster. But now we have an opportunity to re-adjust our economy to a more productive base and we must take it. Mortgages should be limited to 3x one income in a household and at a maximum of 90% of value. To do this millions of homes will need to be built as well. But the advantages are many. More of our people will have a decent secure home, money won’t be wasted on inflated house prices, consumption and saving would increase. We need those savings to invest in UK business.” Andrew Benington

Alan Giles’ comment on Tuesday was our Comment of the Week. We’ll be in touch to get your House of Commons champagne over to you, Alan.