WeeklyList No.3

Sorry it’s a bit late, but here’s this week’s WeeklyList – a weekly digest of our, er, daily digest of the most important stories from the papers and the web.

NORTHERN IRELAND

As Northern Ireland again shows the scars of the troubled past, we are reminded of a place we do not want to be in.

Gordon Brown says “we will hunt down the gunmen.”

Jonathan Powell says the crimes must not be allowed to derail the peace process.

Mairtin O’Muilleoir says the new attacks must strengthen resolve on the Good Friday Agreement, not weaken it.

But Fionola Meredith says this was always a possibility.

And the Guardian has an important piece on the social requirements of the peace.

For this generation, who grew up largely in peace, a return to violence is not an option.

UP IN THE POLLS – WHAT NEXT FOR STRATEGY?

Labour are up in the polls (25% of people have become more positive about the PM over the last week), as Gordon Brown looks at new plans to get more teachers into classrooms.

The PM says that after the recession, the role of the State will have to be assessed.

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.

Are things this bad, or is this managing expectations?

The Times look at “how Labour thinks it can win”.

And is 92 seats the Landslide Tories are selling?

Former Blair speechwriter Phil Collins continues to go from the sublime to the ridiculous in his assessment.

Michael White looks at the overall political landscape and the return of David Cameron to Westminster.

Should Labour no longer have members and just go the Obama way?

IT’S THE ECONOMY, STUPID

Who are the 50 that will save the world from economic meltdown?

The FT looks at why the market can never stand alone.

Gordon Brown’s plans are starting to show the results of recovery.

And after rejecting the VAT cut a few weeks ago, Nicolas Sarkozy comes on board.

THE RECESSION, GOVERNMENT AND SOCIETY

The Prime Minister has rejected calls for private company subsidies to avoid more redundancies.

Economist Sean O’Grady says he’s right to do so.

The FT says we now need a less selfish form of capitalism.

Ed Balls pledges better training for social workers as a result of the Baby P tragedy.

Martin Narey in the Guardian says social workers need our respect to help our communities.

While a new book says all our social ills come from one root cause: inequality.

FINALLIST

Alistair Darling raises the bar on the G20, saying “only a global fix will do”.

After this week’s debate on Harriet Harman, see this interview with the Mirror for more of Harriet’s own views on feminism.

The FT says the Tories have no plans for the financial crisis – but we always knew that.

Boris says people should get a move on: “some of us have columns to write!” Er, Boris, what about Londoners?

Fiona Millar says that the educational impact of the schools lottery is well-known – but what about the emotional effects?

Are our schools properly preparing our children for modern life?

Blinded by the Right? Why the US Conservatives don’t get the economy.

Cameron is bringing in several new wonks – but what about their pasts?

Peter Mandelson: the coolest man in politics?

The Mirror says Labour is winning the fight against knife crime.

Mandelson says the shrill debate over Royal Mail could destroy the postal service.

The Obama Doctrine begins to take shape.

The torture issue continues – what role or knowledge did the FCO have?

Peter Mandelson on what the government is doing to help the car industry.

Roger Cohen in the New York Times says Gordon showed Obama how to be a leader.

But are our politicians doing enough on climate change?

MPs and Unions are joining forces to push for increased redundancy pay.

Tony Woodley, the union leader, gives us his views on this matter here.

More information is emerging about the controversial Iraq War dossier.

Jessica Asato asks whether the Weatherspoons Director has his beer googles on re: increased Holiday Entitlement.

Martin Kettle attacks a whole generation of Labour ministers. Thanks, Martin.

Steve Richards concentrates on getting value for money.

Philip Stephens in the FT looks at realistic hopes for the G20.

Teenagers are increasingly scapegoated and demonised, accoring to new research.

There’s an interesting debate on increasing Maternity pay during the recession.

After Chris Mullin’s popular book, The Independent lifts the lid on political diaries.

Do we need more transparency on MPs employing their relatives with taxpayer money?

Neil Kinnock says the miners deserved better leadership than “vain” Arthur Scargill.

TUESDAY’S COMMENT OF THE DAY:

“Everytime a single-issue campaigner does this kind of thing, government becomes just that little bit more remote from the people of Britain. Security will be tightened and vetting will be a little more stringent. We need serious debate in this country linked to real and difficult governance not adolescent gestures”Stephen Griffiths, on the Custard Mucker.

WEDNESDAY’S COMMENT OF THE DAY:

“I think the interesting thing about your term as guest editor is, although you tried to even up the overall contribution by having exclusively female contributors, the commenters were (apparently) 99% male, suggesting the traffic to the LL site is primarily male, and having female contributors does not seem to have changed that. But does this poll now suggest that that may not be the case? If the latter is true why do these people not want to join in the debate? And does their lack of contribution not add to this “bloke-o-sphere”, and in fact prove us blokes innocent of not letting women in?” Neil Fraser, on ‘Feminism is not a dirty word – the LabourList poll results’.

THURSDAY’S COMMENT OF THE DAY:

“What is wrong about two Christians praying together? It is an aggressively secular age when praying is regarded as suspicious behaviour, being a Catholic bars you from holding high office, political views are to be dismissed because they come from people of faith, and faith is derided as a personal eccentricity as you are so keen on doing.” Adam In London on “Tony Blair’s Aggressive Christianity.

COMMENT OF THE WEEK was none of the above, though, but this view on Thursday:

“Why are the centre-right so opposed to taxes? I like taxes. The government takes my money (and others) and then turns it into schools, hospitals, tax credits to lift children out of poverty. Labour has the ideological positioning, the electoral mandate and 15 months to implement the brave, necessary social investments Britain needs. And what a great platform a New Deal would be for fighting what will certainly be the closest general election in a generation.”

Michael Flexer, on ‘If this is a centre-left moment, where are the centre-left solutions?’

Congratulations, Michael. You receive a bottle of House of Commons champagne.