Amy Mollett and Paul Rainford take a look at the week in political blogging
March for the Alternative
Brendan Barber of the TUC outlines the reasons behind the March for the Alternative, and Mark Ferguson on Labour List declares that the protest was a huge success. Left Foot Forward accepts that the march will not persuade David Cameron to call an emergency press conference to announce a U-turn on cuts, but does credit the march with providing a national focus that brought together local and sectoral campaigners.
Although Sunny Hundal believes that Ed Miliband was right to attend, the Labour leader’s speech at Hyde Park didn’t go down too well with The Coffee House, who believes that the Miliband has made a serious strategic mistake. David Cameron also attacked Miliband’s decision, calling it a “ridiculous spectacle”.
Labour Uncut provides a useful summary of events and comments on the role of the media, whilst Next Left believes that UK Uncut must denounce the Oxford Street violence. Laurie Penny at the New Statesman also attempts to address the issue of violence – and who was to blame – at the protest, while Anthony Painter takes issue with some of her suggestions and argues that UK Uncut owes a lot of apologies for pushing their own agenda.
The economy and cuts
Stephanie Flanders believes that the situation is now so dire that the government doesn’t just need an economic plan B, but a new plan A as well, and James Meadwell of the New Economics Foundation argues that Osborne needs to set clear objectives that meet real social needs. Left Foot Forward challenges the government’s family friendly credentials. Sue Marsh at Liberal Conspiracy suggests that it will be incompetence that will destroy the coalition, not the cuts.
Libya
Thetorydiary argues that the government’s Libyan policy dare not speak its name and Left Foot Forward wonders whether peace can be brokered between the warring factions. Liberal Conspiracy contemplates whether it is legal for the UK to supply arms to the Libyan rebels, something which Nick Robinson also looks into as he dissects William Hague’s comments on the matter.
Libya’s foreign minister, Moussa Koussa, touched down in England on Wednesday amongst much speculation and confusion on both sides. The Westminster Blog fills in all the detail, and Conservative Home confirms David Cameron’s belief that Koussa’s resignation deals a “serious blow” to Gadaffi.
And finally…
David Cameron’s new Start Up Britain website is widely panned, and compared to a cheap voucher site by Political Scrapbook.
Sunder Katwala at Liberal Conspiracy asks why the government is imposing the big society on academia.
Thetorydiary contemplates whether UKIP could become Britain’s protest party.
The Coffee House notes that relations are getting fraught inside the coalition as the AV vote looms.
