Lunchtime List No.33
~ The best and most relevant stuff in today’s papers and on the web ~
Wednesday 25th February, 2009
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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
The best comment of the week wins a bottle of House of Commons champagne!
ON LABOURLIST NOW
Mark Day from Progress Online asks whether four term limits are the democratic solution to under-representation.
Kerry McCarthy brings her excellent blogging over to LabourList to question the role in our society of reality TV.
We’ll have several more posts going up throughout the day, so stay posted.
If you’re new to LabourList, have a dig around some of our earlier articles under the ‘Recent Posts’ section, or under each contributor.
*** Make sure you comment on the posts that interest you and if you want to post let us know. ***
David Cameron’s son has very sadly died at the age of six. To read about his life and his illness, click on the picture below. Nick Robinson looks at life’s most difficult tragedy. Our thoughts are with the Camerons at this time.
On this day, an excellent new profile of David Cameron can be read here, in the Guardian.
“WE REJECT AS FALSE THE CHOICE BETWEEN OUR SAFETY AND OUR IDEALS”
The Justice Secretary refuses to make public minutes on the build up to the war in Iraq.
Steve Richards says we already know the important details anyway and looks back at the meetings.
Worrying warnings that the fight against Terror could spell the end of our privacy.
Read the full Guardian investigation here and the editorial opinion here.
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.
John Harris is more sentimental over our national institutions.
Tory MP Peter Luff outlined his work on Royal Mail on LabourList recently.
LabourList will be rejoining the Royal Mail debate later, so stay posted.
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?
FINALLIST
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.
Obama showed Brown what’s expected in his address last night.
Jonathan Freedland shows how Gordon and Barack’s own special relationship will be mutually beneficial.
Hazel Blears has had a rethink on dealing with Islamic extremists.
Boris gets his knuckes rapped for tipping off Damien Green. Where’s the integrity when the political head of the Met tips off colleagues on police investigations?
Labour: tough on crime.
If Britain really was broken, this would be one way to fix it.
Council Tax is to rise by a national average of 3%.
Alastair Darling shapes the future of our finance industry.
The author of No Logo shows us why the values and ideas of the Left must fill the vacuum caused by failing markets.
Meanwhile, the wealthy Tory Toffs are still spending: £23,000 on dinner!
Thatcher back in Number 10.
After our focus on the tenth anniversary of the Stephen Lawrence inquiry this week, further reports are emerging that our police forces are still skockingly racist and segregational.
What happened when Frank Bruno met The Yorkshire Ripper?
HERO of the day: Sarah Brown, for promoting British design and becoming Gordon’s First Lady of style!
ZERO of the day: The parents who phoned the BBC to complain about the disabled TV presenter, Cerrie Burnell.
~ THE BIG ONGOING DEBATES ~
LIB LABBERY
Sunder’s original New Statesman piece.
Luke Akehurst said no thanks.
Nick Clegg’s views on what matters in a coalition.
LABOUR STRATEGY
Jon Cruddas raises questions about Labour’s strategy.
Later, Cruddas questions the rogue Blairite sections of the Party.
Steve Richards asks where are the leaders in the supposed leadership contest.
Meanwhile, ultra Blairite Philip Collins criticises the government and Luke Akehurst responds.
Benjamin Wegg-Prosser argues that the “do-nothing Tory” line is not working.
John Prescott has a go at Matthew Taylor.
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