Danielle Moran, Joel Suss, Cheryl Brumley and Julian Kircherr round up the week in political blogging.
The parties
The Tory Diary charts the Prime Minister’s remarkable string of good luck but The Green Benches list Cameron’s seven years of broken promises. The FT’s Westminster Blog shows how a legal aid bill may heat up the House of Lords.
Liberal Conspiracy explores public opinion trends which have markedly shifted in the past months – ranging from the UK’s attitude towards the European Union to party images. Liberal Democrat Voice looks at David Cameron’s backsliding on his EU ‘veto’ and The Tory Diary wonders what exactly December’s ‘veto’ achieved. The Coffeehouse discusses the sabre-rattling between theUK and Argentina as the HMS Dauntless and Prince William head to theFalklands.
Nick Clegg is enjoying his best ratings as leader for over a year, writes politicalbetting.com, as Liberal Democrat Voice backs an e-petition on the government’s website in support of Clegg’s proposal that would bring more people out of tax by raising the threshold.
Left Foot Forward reports that Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness is making noise about secession whilst The Tory Diary welcomes the arrival of a Conservative and Unionist Party of Northern Ireland to quell independence fever. Kate Hudson at Liberal Conspiracy says that Scottish independence could spell the end for Trident.
The economy and the cuts
The Staggers sees George Osborne laying groundwork for another contribution to the IMF. Left Foot Forward calls for more financing opportunities for small businesses, arguing that it would play a vital role in economic growth. Labour List discusses the advantages of a living wage over a minimum wage, and The Staggers explores the costs of high unemployment to individuals and society. Labour MPs are mumbling their proposals for a locally-determined benefits cap, according to The Coffee House, while Liberal Conspiracy cites a YouGov poll as evidence people are more apt to blame Labour for the spending cuts.
At Left Foot Forward Sally Hunt of the University and College Union looks at the nearly 9% drop in university admissions as compared to last year – blaming the rise in fees to £9,000, while Owen Corrigan at The Staggers has some ways that the Coalition could help out poorer students.
Stephen Hester and Fred Goodwin
As the Chief Executive of RBS, Stephen Hester, waives his near £1 million bonus on Sunday, John Redwood says that parliament has ‘bared its teeth’ over the issue, Jon Snow wonders if we should feel sorry for him, and Guido Fawkes says that it has made the banks jittery. John Woodcock at LabourList reckons that David Cameron’s lack of response to the issue makes him look out of touch.
Guido Fawkes revels in the subtraction of “Sir” from former RBS head Fred Goodwin’s name, while the FT’s Westminster blog explores how his may cause the business elite to bite back.
Chris Huhne’s resignation
Chris Huhne’s resignation on Friday as Secretary of State for Energy and Climate is heatedly discussed in the blogosphere: The Staggers praise Huhne as “the most coalicious figure in government”. The Tory Diary writes that he created “the greenest government ever”, and Guido Fawkes has a bumper special. According to Liberal Democratic Voice, Ed Davey will replace Huhne.
London Mayoral Election
Political Scrapbook chides Boris Johnson for unveiling a council tax cut that only amounts to enough money for a single onion each month, while The Staggers notes his banker quandary. Political Scrapbook argues that Johnson is failing to fulfil the promises of his transparency manifesto, as he refuses answering official questions posed to him by GLA members and the general public.
And finally
Liberal Democrat Voice has created a Twitter list of all Liberal Democrat members of the House of Lords.
Mike Smithson at politicalbetting.com ponders how many 16 years olds would bother to vote in a referendum onScotland’s independence.
James Moran at The Huffington Post UK looks at what David Cameron can learn from Newt Gingrich.
