Blog
Weekend reads | 3 February
by Caroline Crampton and Oliver Wiseman / 03 Feb 2012 15:59
Here's my pick for this week of longer articles from all over the web. If you've got a Kindle or other eReader, consult the first in this series for how to send them straight from your browser to your device to enjoy later
Why it’s kicking off everywhere – Paul Mason
Mason’s speaking notes from a lecture he gave recently at the LSE. He examines the unrest all over the
A memo to Ed Davey from IPPR
by Will Straw and Clare McNeil / 03 Feb 2012 14:07
To: Ed Davey, Secretary of State for Energy & Climate Change
From: IPPR think tank
The deputy prime minister has singled out your ability to get on top of policy detail and your command of your brief as the reason you are right to replace Chris Huhne as energy and climate change secretary. You will need these skills in a job which carries important responsibilities for ensuring a cleaner, more secure
The impact of Chris Huhne’s resignation on his party and the man himself
by Ben Duckworth / 03 Feb 2012 12:43
On Tuesday night, the energy and climate change secretary was standing in the canteen in the basement of his DECC department. He appeared relaxed and upbeat, and discussed why he believed he was right to continue DECC’s legal fight over feed-in tariffs, which has now reached the Supreme Court. Now a very different legal battle has ended Chris Huhne’s frontbench political career. The Crown Prosecution Service’s announcement of charges against the now former cabinet
Miliband is policy-light on banking reform
by Amber Elliott / 03 Feb 2012 10:15
Ed Miliband’s speech on one-nation banking this morning was strong on rhetoric but light on policy.
The Labour leader has won the rhetoric debate on financial responsibility in the last few weeks, and he wanted to remind everyone of this, as he stood on a shiny stage in Canary Wharf.
But what he failed to explain is how he would make the industry comply with his philosophy.
Huhne charged over speeding penalty claims
by Caroline Crampton / 03 Feb 2012 09:52
The director of public prosecutions (DPP) Keir Starmer has just confirmed that Chris Huhne is to be charged over claims that he asked his ex-wife to take speeding points on his behalf. The speeding offence in question took place in 2003, but a criminal complaint was not made until 2011.
Speaking at a press conference, Starmer said: "All the available evidence, including the new material, has now been carefully considered by the CPS
The agenda
03 Feb 2012 08:02
What's happening
Today Prince Charles and Richard Benyon speak at the launch of the International Sustainability Unit Marine Programme
Today David Blunkett speaks at a National Housing Federation conference in Birmingham
8.45 Ed Miliband makes a speech at Canary Wharf on 'the future of banking'
10.00 Brian Shivers, who was found guilty on 20 January of the murder of two soldiers outside barracks in Antrim, Northern Ireland, is sentenced
Miliband on 'one-nation banking'
by Amber Elliott / 03 Feb 2012 08:02
Ed Miliband will this morning talk about how banking can work for the people, in a speech at Canary Wharf.
He is expected to discuss a "new era of responsibility", suggesting that if the banking industry "continues on its current path" it risks becoming "further isolated" and provoking "public anger".
"This is not about one man, one bonus or one knighthood," he is expected to say. "Nor is this about the politics
Hain: 'the political party model is bust'
by Amber Elliott / 02 Feb 2012 18:02
I sat down yesterday with the shadow Welsh secretary to talk about the current dynamics in the Labour Party. A longer version of the interview will appear in the next issue of Total Politics, but he had the following to say about how his party must change in order to win again:
"The conventional political party model is bust. No party is, at the present time, is operating in a manner and with
What’s the point of the House of Lords?
by Caroline Crampton / 02 Feb 2012 16:44
All eyes have been on the Lords in recent weeks as peers have debated, and amended, the government’s welfare reforms. But now that the Welfare Bill is back in the Commons, the government is attempting to use ‘financial privilege’ – a procedural instrument that removes the amendments and the need for a bill to ‘ping pong’ between the Houses if it is deemed to have big enough spending implications. Once applied for, the use
No more 'Top Totty' in Parliament?
by Caroline Crampton / 02 Feb 2012 13:17
Labour MP Kate Green has made a bit of a stir in an otherwise quiet day in the Commons by calling for a beer called 'Top Totty', currently on sale in Stranger's Bar in Parliament, to be removed immediately.
In a question to Leader of the House Sir George Young, she asked:
"Could the Leader of the House arrange a debate on dignity at work in Parliament. I was
Margaret Hodge makes an enemy
by Ben Duckworth / 02 Feb 2012 12:08
Parliament’s on a bit of a roll at the moment. It’s again become the place where things happen, even with little legislation going through the House of Commons currently. There was an urgent question this morning asking why the head of the Student Loans Company was paid via a company without tax being deducted. It has led to Danny Alexander announcing a review which will conclude in March and call for any
The agenda
02 Feb 2012 07:29
What's happening
Today The Guardian public services summit takes place in St Albans
9.30 The London Assembly police and crime committee holds a formal meeting on police priorities and the lessons learnt from the August 2011 riots. Deputy mayor Kit Malthouse and Met commissioer Bernard Hogan-Howe appear
10.00 The political and constitutional reform committee takes evidence on the introduction of a lobbyists' register
10.00 Damian Green makes a speech at
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Quote of the Day
One nation banking recognises that banks must not be isolated from the rest of the economy. Because banks and small businesses must succeed or fail together, banks must lend to small businesses so we can get the growth and jobs we need for the future. As things stand, that is not happening enough. Lending was down £10.8billion last year.
