WeeklyList No.2

Here’s this week’s roundup of all the best stories and interviews from this week’s papers. It’s an Open Thread, so feel free to debate the issues that occur here below. Remember, LabourList sends a full review of the papers and web every day at Lunchtime. Sign up to receive it at the top right hand corner of the screen now.

Photograph: Gerald Herbet/AP/Guardian

BROWN IN THE USA

The PM seeks a “New Deal” for the global economy.

Alastair Campbell discusses TB / GWB and BHO / GB all speaking in Congress.

Gordon himself on his Obama visit and the G20.

Obama’s team say the Tories have got it wrong on the economy.

The Prime Minister arrived in the US to build an “international action plan” to prevent economic depression.

Showing that the economic debate is still on the left of centre, Obama takes a swipe at global Conservatism.

Gordon says that “If America and Britain do similar things for the economy, the effects will be magnified”.

Steve Richards says that Gordon’s getting star treatment because he’s the star man on the global crisis.

But Rachel Sylvester in The Times says the PM should be focussing on the problems at home, not this “vision thing”.

“Gordon Brown wins Obama’s support for a shakeup of global regulation”.

Barack Obama hailed the special bond between Britian and the US that “can’t be broken”.

Yesterday, Gordon and Barack were relaxed in the White House, and “getting on pretty well.”

The Guardian looks at what was said.

Michael Tomasky says the meeting was a very welcome outbreak of sanity.

And the FT says a more business-like relationship will better serve both the UK and the US.

Kevin Maguire tells us why this economic and political meetings of minds might yet see off the Tories.

Steve Richards says the PM is really on to something in his leadership of the G20.

Only Alice Miles fails to see that Gordon is doing his job. Alice – he is our Prime Minister visiting an ally – he’s not electioneering.

Gordon calls for the world to unite to beat off the economic crisis.

Tony Blair’s speechwriter, Peter Hyman, gave Brown a big thumbs up.

A more cynical Blair speechwriter wasn’t so sure.

The Guardian says Gordon and Barack are very much in tune in leading the free world.

NOW WHAT?

Obama backs Brown’s plans on tax havens.

The next step is that Brown trustee Shriti Vadera will lead the planning for the G20.

CBI Head Honcho Richard Lambert agrees with Gordon – that the big economies must act together from the G20 on.

Mary Riddell says the Prime Minister can’t win.

Meanwhile, Vernon Bogdanor in the Times says now is the time to build a coalition with the Lib Dems.

ROYAL SALE

The row goes on.

Peter Mandelson warns Labour backbenchers: the governing party must make the difficult decisions – but the bill worries rebels.

The Guardian has a harsh editorial on Mandelson and Harman.

What are the Post Office bosses up to?

Blue State Digital take on the government.

Could the Royal Mail sell-off be as much as 50%?

Bily Hayes, GenSec of the CWU, points to the holes in Mandelson’s package.

Meanwhile, Mandelson’s own Postie says his “pointless” bosses “just play around on Facebook” – and wants to tell Peter what he thinks!

SORRY SEEMS TO BE…

The Mail says there’s a rift between the PM and the Chancellor over admitting mistakes on the economy.

But of course, if you read the actual interview, you’ll see there’s nothing of the sort.

Jonathan Freedland tells Gordon the Tories are floundering on the economy – apologise and secure a fourth term.

Why Gordon won’t be saying sorry – sharp analysis from Andy Grice.

BTW, Hazel Blears says he’s right not to.

‘A CANNIBALISTIC PAEODOPHILE?’

Boris uses terrible language to describe ship-jumping Fred the Shred’s popularity.

Our money: without the government bailout, Fred’s pension would’ve been less than £27K. Is this the legal platform for reimbursing it?

The FT says government action to retrieve the pension back will start within weeks.

Daniel Filkenstein says “no – let him keep the money.”

THE EDUCATION LOTTERY

Schools may be stripped of their power to select their pupils after a report suggests some schools break the rules and allow middle-class kids dominate the best state schools.

The report says that schools’ admission policies are “too complex” and currently fail local pupils.

But is too much government control damaging for our schools?

Skills Secretary John Denham goes over some of Labour’s achievements for education.

FINALLIST

Not to be missed interview with Peter Mandelson from last weekend’s Observer.

You’re not hired! Why Alan Sugar should not be Labour’s mayoral candidate.

Jackie Ashley says the dominance of the markets is over, and ideology matters again – do we want a Conservative government dealing with this problem?

Tony Benn’s daughter Melissa shows that Labour are still the party for educational equality.

The death of UKIP: a sign that we are embracing Europe again.

The Evening Standard’s new owner says he’ll turn it into a proper investigative newspaper

25 years after the pit strikes, The Guardian looks at the impact of the this recession in our mining towns.

“The working class have more common sense than other classes and are right about more issues” – Julie Birchill takes a trip down memory lane to the Thatcher days.

Unions and Labour MPs are calling for a doubling of redundancy pay.

The debate is on the Left: sales of Das Capital are at an all time high.

Hamish McRae says it could be ten years before the recession is healed.

Simon Heffer stirs right-wing Euroscepticism, saying the Euro may be in terminal decline.

Tory minister Caroline Spelman has been forced to repay nearly £10k in unjustified expenses.

The BNP uses a Polish plane to promote its anti-immigration policy.

Big JP slammed Sky News man Adam Boulton for being a member of the Tory press.

And it really, really hurt Adam’s feelings – enough that he made a little video response.

Alastair Campbell is sticking up for his old mate.

Peter Mandelson calls for more economic state activism to replace the “light touch”

Obama’s advisers show no mercy in undermining Republicans.

Don’t do God? Here’s Blair on Christianity.

Immigration Minister Phil Woolas is at war with ‘politicised statisticians.’

Public housing: the answer to our problems?

Peter Wilby in the Guardian says school selection comes down to a simple fact – class.

In spite of changes, councils are still not protecting our children.

Richard Leyland says the internet is helping democratise our youth.

Martin Kettle says why Brown should admit his errors.

Alex Chancellor says he shouldn’t.

Ed Balls has been clear about the mistakes that were made.

Brown moves forward on tax havens.

Action is to be taken on lobbyists.

Osborne admits it will be tough under the Tories.

Clegg jumps on the anti-banker bandwagon.

MONDAY’S COMMENT OF THE DAY:

“As a party we can win the next election in the face of poor opposition from the indistinguishable duo of Cameron and Clegg. We need to stop dwelling on polls, regain our confidence and be proud of our record.” Daniel Sutherland

TUESDAY’S COMMENT OF THE DAY:

“I agree with you. The Tories will want to stealthily reduce or freeze the NMW or at very least reduce the step changes above inflation. This is because they are hard-hearted, selfish, greedy, warriors for the well-to-do. And this last sentence is not exclusively tongue-in-cheek banter. They’re Tories for goodness sake! It is a National maximum Wage that we need now, or some serious taxation at the high end.” Chris Paul

WEDNESDAY’S COMMENT OF THE DAY:

“As with Post Offices it’s important not to get swept up by faux-nostalgia for pubs as the centres of communities. This notion is peddled by our political opponents as part of their “broken Britain” strategy. They sentimentalise bygone Britain and try to conjure up a chocolate box lid world of Miss Marple, thatched pubs and the village stores when life was wonderful to contrast with the alleged horrors of today. But most of the people trotting out this line probably rarely set foot in either a pub or a post office.” Brian Hughes, commenting on It’s not small beer, we need to support our pubs.

THURSDAY’S COMMENT OF THE DAY:

“‘Great speech by Gordon Brown’ – I agree with you there, it was really impressive. He made very good points about protectionism, poverty, and the Europe’s relationship with the US. It was strong at times and I think he made an impression on the US politicians. Lots of style and (unlike another politician I could mention) proper substance. Wow, I never thought I’d describe old GB like that!” Tim Davies, on the post ‘Gordon Brown to Congress: “Seize the moment”‘

Brian Hughes’ comment on Wednesday was Comment of the Week. Congratulations, Brian. We’ll be in touch to arrange the delivery of your House of Commons champagne.