WeeklyList No.5

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As always, feel free to discuss any or all of the stories featured below.

TORIES DITCH THEIR FLAGSHIP (ONLY) POLICY

The Tories are in “disarray” as Ken Clarke says that cutting inheritance tax is a mere “aspiration”.

Angela Eagle says Clarke is right to follow Labour’s lead on this – now Cameron and Osborne must learn to agree with their Shadow Business Secretary.

The Guardian’s Julian Glover says a Tory government would embroil itself in a bust-up with the public sector akin to the miners’ strike.

Tim Montgomerie says Gideon Osborne “needs to get a grip.”

Alan Duncan yesterday laid into Ken Clarke on the U-Turn on the sole Tory policy, saying “it will be in the manifesto…it stands alone.” Not wrong there, Alan.

Steve Richards says Ken Clarke never says these things by accident.

The Mail looks at some of Cameron’s other unqualified “pledges”.

PUBLIC EXPENSES

Is this an opportunity to reform parliamentary expenses?

The Times leader suggests now is the right time for “a complete overhaul.”

Read a prospective MP’s take on it here.

CLAUSE 58

The Tories are likely to vote against a measure that will make it illegal to incite homophobic hate through song lyrics and incendiary language. Please visit the LGBT Labour website and sign the petition in support of the new legislation, before the so-called “progressive” Tories have the chance to wreck it.

The Times’ Tim Teeman shows us why this is critical for our society here.

FINALLIST

Tony Benn on how Obama is no Socialist and why all his clothes have got holes in.

Yasmin Alibhai-Brown says that there are no real winners in an unequal society.

There’s more confusion over Labour’s tax havens commitments.

The Guardian has comprehensive coverage of the likely contents of the Bill of Rights.

Stephen Byers says April is the Tipping Point for Labour.

Niall Ferguson goes over the limits of the response of Conservatism.

Both Oxbridge Universities have now elected black Student Union Presidents, but 380 black and mixed race students out of 20,000 at Oxford is patently not enough.

Five options for solving Britain’s pensions crisis.

The Guardian has published a special report into the recent conflict in Gaza – essential reading.

Should government databases be scaled back…?

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

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.

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.

The Guardian has the best overview of the Prime Minister’s visits to G20 nations ahead of next week.

Labour Big Beast Blunkett says the Party must persuade the public sector that a vote for the Tories is a vote for unemployment.

John Healey and Ivan Lewis say only a new social contract will get Labour back on track.

Timothy Garton Ash says a United Europe is essential for our future – but will be missing from next week’s G20.

Out of touch? Tory shadow minister Chris Grayling scores a huge own goal, confusing Manchester and Liverpool!

The Simon Carr sketch says Harriet Harman is rising excellently to PMQs.

Michael White in the Guardian says Dan Hannan’s viral is “wearily predictable Oxford Union stuff”.

Liberal Conspiracy breaks the empty Tory Boy speech down to its barest bones.

The Brazilian President says that blue-eyed white people in the West are to blame for the economic crisis.

Andrew Grice looks at the results of the week’s preparation for the G20.

…which will – like Yalta – be an example of global power transition in action.

And Steve Richards says just because of the hyperactivity, we shouldn’t expect too much from the Summit.

Nick Clegg calls for an inquiry into the war in Iraq in an article in the Independent.

But the Lib Dems have ditched their tax cut promises.

“Labourite” Martin Kettle’s last degree of faith deserts him.

The police finally launch an investigation into claims of MI5 claimed complicity in torture.

Bill Blanko says Ken Clarke is “naughty” for his supposed “gaffe” on the Tories’ tax plan – but does he really know better?

Review Europe Minister Caroline Flint’s Live Webchat here >>

MONDAY’S COMMENT OF THE DAY:

“The Crown Prosecution Service recently confirmed that prosecutions for homophobic hate crimes increased by 168% in the previous two years. The suicide rate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people is approximately three times more likely than their heterosexual counterparts to commit suicide. Currently the Racial and Religious Hatred Act protects against incitement towards someone based on their race or religion. It is only right that these protections are extended on grounds of sexual orientation.”

Richard Lane on “Say No to homophobic hate speech”.

TUESDAY’S COMMENT OF THE DAY:

“It’s unfair prejudice now, unfair prejudice over the last century, and unfair prejudice since time. Not only including the results of selections, but also the willingness to come forward. But having said that there are plenty of very good women who do come forward. And plenty of duff men who inhabit seats. Through unfair process, unfair history, unfair full stop.” Chris Paul rejects Dan McCurry’s argument against all-women shortlists – “Now for the bonkers science bit…”

WEDNESDAY’S 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.

THURSDAY’S COMMENT OF THE DAY:

“Everyone, including Guido, is entitled to their views. I do occasionally visit his blog, but what puts me off is not what he writes, but some of the vile and profane comments that he allows to go unmoderated.”

Julian Ware-Lane on the truth about Paul Staines.

COMMENT OF THE WEEK ***

Was Richard Lane’s astute comment from Monday. Congratulations, Richard, we’ll be in touch to arrange delivery of your champagne.