Chris Gilson, Paul Rainford and Amy Mollett take a look at the week in political blogging.

The economy – crash II?

Thetorydiary argues that without economic growth, the Coalition will be in real trouble as Faisal Islam unpicks whether Britain is an economic safe haven or a growth laggard. As proposals to scrap the 50p tax rate are mooted – with a show of support by Adrian Hilton at Dale & Co. – Left Foot Forward shows that only a quarter of voters are in favour of such a policy. Benedict Brogan from The Telegraph wonders whether George Osborne and Danny Alexander can iron out their differences over the issue.

Robert Peston blogs on the origins, and likely outcomes, of Thursday’s market mayhem. Richard Murphy argues that this fresh crisis provides an opportunity to build the economy anew and dispense with the failed neo-liberal project. Duncan Weldon provides some thoughts on liquidity and the crisis.

Will Straw at Left Foot Forward looks at the tumbling growth forecasts, while Samira Shackle at The Staggers says that the Office for Budget Responsibility is now warning that Britain will miss the earlier growth forecast of 1.7%. Nigel Stanley at the TUC’s Touchstone Blog says that George Osborne’s narrative of cutting the deficit and ignoring tax income is collapsing while Cormac Hollingsworth, guest blogging at Left Foot Forward, reckons that the markets are telling Osborne to increase spending.

Richard Murphy at Liberal Conspiracy ponders what the risks of a second financial crisis might be. Tim Montgomerie at thetorydiary writes that the unfolding Euro crisis gives George Osborne the opportunity to reset the coalition’s economic policy with a ten year plan for growth, though The Guardian’s Michael White doesn’t believe that now is the time for panic.

Cuts

The Spectator and Left Foot Forward’s Will Straw went head to head on the deficit this week, with the latter claiming that the coalition’s cuts are deeper than those being forced on the US by the Tea Party. False Economy documents that more than 2000 charities and communities are facing cuts and thus the big society is being choked at inception. Left Foot Forward provides some interesting data that shows two thirds of the public want the cuts to only be temporary. John Redwood is concerned that the government has not controlled spending, and offers some advice to achieve greater savings.

Josh Harkinson discusses research that links the decline of unions to rising income inequality, as Gary Sanders at Labour Left argues that strong unions are key to a bright Labour future. Thetorydiary fosters concerns that defence cuts are causing strategic shrinkage.

The Coalition

Ed Turner, guest blogging at Left Foot Forward, discusses Eric Pickles’ plans to cut Council Tax benefits, saying that the cuts will ‘pulverise the working age poor’.

Inspired by the US debt crisis deadlock, Greg Judge of Liberal Democrat Voice has some lessons for the coalition on how best to comprise.

Mike Smithson at politicalbetting.com wonders if the Daily Mirror has a good point in highlighting the fact that David Cameron, Nick Clegg and George Osborne are all on holiday at the same time. The Westminster Blog tries to explain William Hague’s soaring approval ratings.

Labour

The Coffee House argues that Ed Miliband needs to bring his brother closer into the fold if Labour are to make proper head way, following David’s acceptance of an offer to act as an “unofficial ambassador on university campuses” and Atul Hatwal at Labour Uncut takes a close look at the recent makeover of Ed Miliband and the shadow Cabinet.

The FT Westminster Blog hails the partial return of David Miliband, giving some coverage to the brothers’ disagreements over the “Movement for Change” volunteer organisation.

E-petitions and capital punishment

Ellie Cumbo at Liberal Conspiracy warns against complacency when it comes to fighting petitions to re-introduce the death penalty, urging those who are against it to stand up and make the government aware of their views. Politicalbetting.com focus on the varying views of regular internet users and those who never access the internet on capital punishment, noting that the former group may well be the least fertile group for supporting Guido’s campaign.

Liberal Democrat Voice remains pessimistic about the goals and future success of the government’s newly launched e-petitions website. Tom King at Labour List is more optimistic however, showing his support for the e-petition on ending the ban on gay blood donations.

As the government’s e-petition portal goes live, David Hodges at Labour List makes a passionate plea for the Left to prevent a right wing monopoly of this space. The Coffee House provides some context for Guido Fawkes’ campaign for the reintroduction of the death penalty, and The Staggers ponders David Cameron’s stance on capital punishment.

Paul Goodman at thetorydiary looks at the e-petitions scheme and wonders what might happen if MPs ignored. Simon McGrath at Liberal Democrat Voice says that the death penalty will never return as its reintroduction would never have support in the Commons.

Arab Spring

As the unrest in Syria rumbles on and repression continues to escalate, The Coffee House suggests that now is the time for the international community to tackle Assad. Over at Dale & Co. Denis MacShane expresses his fears for the Libya mission which is ‘doomed to failure’.

And finally…

Peter Jukes at Labour List discusses what the Norway attacks tell us about Islamophobia and online hate.

The Staggers blogs on the immigration cap, arguing that it is deterring foreign students from applying to UK universities.

John Roffey at Liberal Democrat Voice considers the possibility of another media mogul replacing Rupert Murdoch, spelling bad news for the future of “cleaner politics”.