The G20, Europe, tax and the banks – it’s make or break time

LabourList editor Derek Draper is inviting one lucky winner to join us at his book launch on April 2.

To win, just send him a message through Facebook or Twitter by clicking on the links above, and tell him why you would enjoy his party!

COMMENT OF THE DAY:

“I don’t agree with your politics but I do agree that there have been some dissenting articles on here. I think that the anti-Tory articles have a bit of an opposition-y feel for them sometimes, though, as if the clock has been rolled forward a year and a bit. Incidentally I would be interested to know how you and other Labour posters feel about the fact that the majority of comments seem to be hostile? This is supposed to be “where labour-minded people come together” but sometimes it feels like “where labour-minded people post articles that are immediately slagged off by tory-minded people”. James Thomson, on Scratch a Cameroon, find a neocon.

What do you think? You can comment or post on LabourList and let us know!

ON LABOURLIST NOW

Luke Akehurst says Labour needs a strategy to defend against Trot infestation.

Labour Friends of Iraq’s Gary Kent says the Guardian’s Seumus Milne doesn’t understand the situation in the Middle East.

Tom Miller casts an eye over the Tory manoeuvering in Northern Ireland.

James Purnell deconstructs the Conservative tax plans.

Ben Folley asks will Obama overturn the US defence missile plans?

Popular Labour blogger Hopi Sen joins LabourList to look at Cameron’s recovery panel’s dubious financial past.

Matthew Pennycook says the Conservatives’ Foreign Policy needs to come under more serious scrutiny.

Alex Ross says we need to open up our democratic institutions and allow the Youth Parliament to sit in the Commons.

Also, from Progress, LabourList Deputy Editor Alex Smith tells us why Labour must take a risk on renewal and remove the yae-sayers at its grassroots.

JONATHAN FREEDLAND EXPLAINS THE DIFFERENCES AT THE HEART OF LABOUR’S KEY DEBATES.

LABOUR, THE TORIES AND THE BANK OF ENGLAND

Mervyn King yesterday said the government can’t afford a further economic stimulus.

And was then swiftly summoned to an audience with the Queen.

Meanwhile, Cameron wants the Bank of England to regulate the financial sector itself. Is that really a lesson learnt?

FINALLIST

Gordon Brown has called for European consensus in leading the world beyond the recession.

Watch the speech to the European Parliament in full here.

Simon Heffer in the Telegraph says it’s time the Tories leave the rich to it.

But Daniel Finkelstein in the Times takes the opposite view, saying Cameron needs to forget tax cuts for the rich.

And the Independent Leader says there is still a big Tory credibility gap.

Kevin Maguire says Gordon Brown should tax the fat cat bankers into submission on bonuses.

And Labour hit Gideon Osborne on the Tories’ tax “hypocrisy”.

But is it right to crowbar promising candidates into “safe” seats – even when it smacks of nepotism?

President Obama has published an article across the world saying governments have an economic and moral responsibility to their people.

This is particularly true for the environment, says the former boss of BP.

Irwin Stelzer asks how much government departments can do.

New proposals for schools will consider replacing World War 2 with Twitter and Facebook lessons.

Alan Sugar reveals why he will never be Labour’s Mayor of London.

A new report says Britain is ready for a black Prime Minister.

Iain Martin says it’s time for “Parliament PLC” to cutback on MPs and their expenses.

Former convict and Tory minister Jonathan Aitken talks about his report on reforming our penal system.

Why are more women suffering from mental health problems than ever before?

Michael White in the Guardian looks at the trilemma of tax and the ideological Tory wing.

HERO of the day: Christopher James, National Poetry Competition Winner for Farewell to the Earth. Good job.

ZERO of the day: The vandals who attacked Fred the Shred’s home. Direct Action is not the way.

~ 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.

Steve Richards looks at the political liklihood of a hung Parliament, and a Lib-Lab 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.

Polly Toynbee says this is Labour’s last chance to realign, capture the public mood, and win a fourth term.

Steve Richards says Labour must be more responsive to its grassroots organisations like Compass.

Download Will Straw and Nick Anstead’s Lessons from America: Change We Need.

Gordon Brown explains why it’s essential Labour wins the next election.

VIEW LUNCHTIMELIST ARCHIVE