Chris Gilson takes a look at the week in political blogging.
Weekend
David Herdson at politicalbetting.com wonders if David Cameron’s recent visit to the US heralds a ‘foreign policy revolution’, with criticism of Israel and Pakistan. George Eaton at The Staggers looks at the fallout of Cameron’s critique of Pakistan, while Charles Crawford at Blogoir has an in-depth look at Cameron’s speeches.
With a 12% showing in the polls, Tim Montegomerie at ConservativeHome wonders how low the Lib Dems can go.
Dizzy Thinks says that the new government has learned the lessons of government since 1997, while Neil Robertson at Liberal Conspiracy looks at Michael Gove’s awful month.
Jonathan Isaby at ConservativeHome looks at Frances Maude’s comments that the government is ‘more radical than Thatcher’ as Dave Semple at Though Cowards Flinch looks critically at the Big Society programme and schools. Rihard Exell at Liberal Conspiracy examines how the coalition’s cuts will affect the private sector as well. Guido says that, in 2015, the coalition will be judged on if it has ‘fixed society’, if it has reduced welfare dependency.
Chris Dillow at Stumbling and Mumbling has some ideas as to what Labour’s economic policy should be, while Sunder Katwala at Next Left comments on Ed Milliband’s SMS strategy, and Andy Burnham takes a dig at the Miliband brothers according to George Eaton at The Staggers.
Tim Montegomerie at ConservativeHome looks at an odd alliance that might defeat AV in the vote next may.
Monday
John Redwood blogs on euro-scepticism; the electoral numbers are currently somewhat pro-Europe he says. According to Conservativehome 55% of Tory members are in favour of a Lib-Tory ‘non-aggression’ pact in seats where the Coalition is placed first and second. Mike Smithson at politicalbetting.com, asks if Paddy Ashdown should be brought into the Cabinet.
Tom Clougherty at The Adam Smith Institute’s Blog looks at welfare reform, and Hopi Sen looks at the ‘IDS wars’ within the right (though Fraser Nelson at Coffee House says that there is no rift). Ed Jacobs at Left Foot Forward gives the reforms a ‘thumbs down’.
Jeff at SNP Tactical Voting says that Labour is being ‘disingenuous’ about the AV referendum, while Tom Harris MP at At another thing.. gives his thoughts on the usefulness of AV in parliamentary elections.
Sion Simon blogging at Labour Uncut says that the 3rd/4th place battlers for the Labour leadership race must declare their second preferences. Hopi Sen, continuing his series, makes the case against Ed Balls.
Tuesday
Will Straw at Left Foot Forward looks for the centre ground in British politics. George Eaton at The Staggers supports Ed Balls’ advice to Labour in opposition published in the Guardian today.
Peter Hoskin at Coffee House says that the government should not fear the likely strikes to come, while George Eaton at The Staggers asks if Labour will support strike action against spending cuts.
Wat Tyler at Burning our Money looks at the rising costs of housing benefits, while according to Don Paskini of Liberal Conspiracy, only 15% of people want to be a part of the Big Society.
Wednesday
Mike Smithson at politicalbetting.com looks at why Ed Balls is likely to come last in the Labour leadership race.
Tim Worstall applauds the coalition’s challenge to lifetime council tenancies, as does Wat Tyler at Burning our Money, while Tom Harris at And another thing…is critical, citing the already in place, ‘Right to Buy’ scheme. Luke Akhurst at Luke’s Blog is also critical. Sunder Katwala at Next Left has Lib Dem deputy Simon Hughes, saying that Cameron ‘does not speak for the coalition’ on these housing benefit changes. Iain Dale gives his thoughts, saying that it’s a subject worth of debate (as debate that Peter Hoskin of Coffee House encourages).
Marcus Roberts at Left Foot Forward says that the coalition must ‘work out’ its stance on Trident.
Sunny Hundal at Liberal Conspiracy makes the case for a ‘proper’ coalition against cuts, in response to Tony Benn’s letter to the Guardian this week.
Thursday
Neil Robertson at Liberal Conspiracy blogs on why social housing should matter, even to Tories, while Sunder Katwala at Next Left notes Nick Clegg’s ‘radio silence’ over the issue. Asa Bennett at Party Lines Blog looks at Vince Cable’s ‘stealth’ £2.5bn cuts to the regions.
Richard Darlington, blogging at Labour Uncut says that Labour must revamp its brand to avoid further electoral defeats. Amber Elliot at Party Lines Blog looks at the relatively short time the new Labour leader will have to carry out their spending review once they become leader. Anthony Wells at UK Polling Report looks at views of why Labour lost.
Wat Tyler at Burning our Money wonders why we aren’t selling off government’s stakes in banks if they are back to doing so well.
Kiran Stacey at the FT’s Westminster Blog takes a look at David Cameron’s working hours, while Sunder Katwala at Next Left discusses Cameron’s recent gaffes, including his mention that Iran has a nuclear weapon. Alan A at Harry’s Place has more as well as the history of the last Brasenose-educated PM. Mike Smithson at politicalbetting.com thinks that Cameron should get off the road.
Friday
Jonathan Isaby of ConservativeHome applauds David Cameron for continuing CameronDirect as Prime Minister, while George Eaton at The Staggers says that he can afford no more foreign policy gaffes. Asa Bennett at Party Lines Blog has the top 10 gaffes of the new parliament.
James Ruddick at Labour Uncut says that Nick Clegg’s political demise has ‘already begun’. Sunny Hundal at Liberal Conspiracy reviews recent polls and what they mean for Labour, while Mike Smithson at politicalebetting.com asks if Ed Miliband can make a another comeback.
Iain Dale blogs on more complaints from MPs about IPSA, and Sunder Katwala at Next Left looks at Simon Hughes’ recent comments that the ‘right to buy’ housing policy should be scrapped.
James Gaskarth at The Staggers says that the coalition’s foreign policy is very similar to Labour’s. Joss Garman at Left Foot Forward is concerned the government will simply outsource its carbon emissions rather than reduce them, and Jess Freeman at Party Lines Blog is critical of the government’s policies on gender equality.
