Amy Mollett, Avery Hancock and Paul Rainford take a look at the week in political blogging.
Tory Spring Conference
Baroness Warsi outlines her reasons for opposing AV, and then warns of potential losses in local council elections in May. Thetorydiary claims that George Osborne’s reputation is growing, and here is a transcript of his conference speech. As Cameron states his intention to take on the ‘enemies of enterprise’, Conservative Home sketches out his battle plan.
Labour Uncut exposes some of the Tories’ Spring Forum lies, and argues that the PM’s boasts about backing British businesses ring hollow. Political Betting shows that six per cent of Tory voters have switched to UKIP.
Foreign policy and defence
Liam Fox argues that defence cuts are necessary, reports The Staggers, as Left Foot Forward asks whether defence procurement is a corporatist con trick. The Coffee House is concerned about the damage to the government of William Hague’s bumbling over the SAS in Libya affair, and Michael White contemplates the possibility of the resignation of the foreign secretary.
Liberal Democrat Voice debates just how ethical our foreign policy should be, as Left Foot Forward argues that a slim majority in Britain are in favour of intervention. Claude Moraes MEP fears that Europe is not ready for the humanitarian/refugee disaster that is threatening to occur.
Bankers
As Mervyn King criticises the banks’ ‘profit over people’ mentality, Robert Peston wonders whether an entente will ever be possible, although The Staggers holds out hope that the Bank of England governor will encourage others to take up his agenda. John Redwood thinks that King should have been more careful. The FT’s Westminster Blog shows that big pay is back for the banks and Next Left reacts to news that HSBC is thinking of leaving the UK. Robert Peston also takes a look at whether tax payers will get their money back from Northern Rock.
Pensions
Liberal Conspiracy blogs on Labour’s condemnation of the Hutton report and Left Foot Forward argues that millions have been condemned to poverty in retirement. The Staggers suggests this is all part of a wider government agenda towards privatisation, although Faisal Islam believes that it is more a recipe for strife. Indeed The Coffee House believes that Hutton’s report increases the likelihood of a general strike. Political Betting contemplates Labour ex-ministers helping the coalition and wonders whether Hutton should be expelled from his party.
Police Cuts
Tom Gash from the Institute for Government argues that police pay reform should promote performance, not penny-pinching, while The Coffee House tries to provide context for the police cuts. However, Michael White isn’t convinced that ministers know what they are doing.
NHS
The Staggers reports that the British Medical Association is to debate a vote of no confidence in the Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, due to the mounting anger around plans to restructure the NHS. Liberal Conspiracy asks whether the Conservatives think they can take on doctors and win, although Labour List believes that the battle for the NHS has already been lost.
And finally…
Sian Norris writing at Liberal Conspiracy rubbishes the idea that we no longer need feminism and Labour Uncut shows that women have little reason to celebrate this government. Women’s Views on News asks where do women fit in to the ‘big society’, believing it should in fact be re-named ‘the small elite’.
As petrol prices soar, Stephanie Flanders investigates whether it is time to worry about oil, and Left Foot Forward outlines Philip Hammond’s oil addiction.
The Guardian’s environment blog reveals the carbon footprint of public sector buildings as Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne launch the government’s carbon plan (which leaves Left Foot Forward less than impressed).
Left Foot Forward reveals figures that show the public are turning against the cuts and Matt Baker on the One Show asks David Cameron how he sleeps at night.
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