Amy Mollett and Paul Rainford take a look at the week in political blogging
Thetorydiary notes that the government whip has publicly cautioned against rushing NHS reforms through, and has called for the bill to be amended, while Liberal Conspiracy presents some worrying poll data for the Tories. Samira Shackle at The Staggers discusses Norman Lamb’s threat to resign if the reforms go through and Dominic Browne at Left Foot Forward wonders just how long the government can go on like this.
Andrew Lansley takes an ‘unprecedented hit’ as the Royal College of Nursing passes a no-confidence motion with a vote of 98.76% and The Staggers argues that the public aren’t far behind. Left Foot Forward suggests that the health secretary is in denial about the level of opposition to the cuts but thetorydiary pleads that he is getting a raw deal.
The economy and the banks
Robert Peston reports that the Independent Banking Commission wants a firewall around retail banking, before taking a look at where we go from here. The Coffee House tries to gauge what the Conservative reaction will be while Liberal Conspiracy outlines Ed Ball’s vision for reform(you can read the Shadow Chancellor in his own words here). The Westminster Blog notes that the Liberal Democrats profess themselves to be happy with the Vickers proposals, but Faisal Islam isn’t convinced that it is a real game changer.
Stephanie Flanders comments on the surprise fall in inflation, but Tony Dolphin of the IPPR notes that British households are still feeling the pinch and voters are losing faith in the government’s running of the economy. Alex Andreou at Labour List asks just who exactly does the government owe money to, while Richard Murphy of Tax Research UK suggests that the answer is not straightforward and may not be very good news at all.
The Staggers argues that Portugal’s financial woes were caused by exactly the same type of austerity programme now being foisted on the UK by George Osborne, and Left Foot Forward reveals growing international support for the Robin Hood tax.
Immigration
David Cameron’s speech on the ‘impact of mass, un-integrated immigration’ is called a classic piece of political rhetoric by the Migrants’ Rights Network, and Next Left studies the it’s content in depth. Thetorydiary notes the imminence of local elections and Political Betting wonders whether this was a calculated move to prevent the seepage of votes to UKIP. The Coffee House believes that there was in fact very little new but much to ponder and Paul Waugh takes a look at the Liberal Democrat view in the light of Vince Cable’s attack on the PM.
The Staggers comments on the hypocrisy of the government claiming that immigrants must learn English while concomitantly cutting finding for lessons, and the ONS weighs in on the dispute by challenging Cameron’s questionable use of the statistics (as covered by the Westminster Blog). The Free Movement blog wonders what will happen next for immigration policy in the UK.
AV referendum
Political Betting takes a look at who would most likely benefit from Liberal Democrat second preference votes, as Anthony Painter claims that Labour are sleep walking into an AV ambush.
Liberal Democrat Voice provides a video of Nick Clegg’s speech on electoral reform in which he described AV as a ‘very British reform’. Both the NO and the YES campaign launch their own campaign broadcasts as well, although Mark Ferguson of Labour List is less than impressed with both sides.
Oxford Admissions Row
The Westminster Blog outlines the story of Cameron attacking Oxford for their record on admitting black students, and includes the university’s response. The Coffee House suggests that the blame lies in the schools system, while Political Scrapbook points out the fact that the Tories’ own record on promoting ethnic minority MPs is not exactly glowing. David Lammy makes the point that poverty and class are just as important as race in this debate.
And finally…
Bethan Tichborne at Liberal Conspiracy argues that the apparent acceptance of vandalism in anti-cuts groups harms all protestors alike, and Luke Bozier laments the hollowing out of British politics with the prevalence of career politicians. Paul Goodman at thetorydiary profiles David Cameron and probes deeper into his relationship with the party.
Labour List provides the video of Nick Clegg’s awkward meeting with the now infamous Gillian Duffy, which Mark Ferguson believes quintessentially highlights the Liberal Democrats’ key weakness.
Next Left argues that cross party support for a public inquiry over phone hacking is needed, as News of the World finally issue an apology and Tom Watson MP calls on Rebekah Brookes to resign.
Women’s Views on News notes that the mother of Bradley Manning has asked William Hague for help on her son’s behalf.
