Amy Mollett and Paul Rainford take a look at the week in political blogging…
NOTW phone hacking
Thursday evening saw the announcement that the News of the World will cease to exist as of this weekend, following the revelations in the Guardian that the tabloid hacked into the voicemail of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler and may have done the same in many other sensitive cases. As Clive Goodman and Andy Coulson were arrested, many outlets reported their complete shock at the paper’s closure.
The Staggers suggests that the tabloid’s behaviour marks a new low in the whole phone hacking saga, as Liberal Conspiracy reveals how little coverage the Murdoch-owned Sun newspaper gave to the story. Left Foot Forward also notes that other tabloids have been virtually silent. Angry Mob argues that the latest revelations are a timely wake-up call to the state of media ethics in the UK, and Hugh Grant gave some lively interviews on the subject.
Robert Peston reports that Rebekah Brooks has pledged not to resign over the scandal, but suggests that Newscorps’ bid for BSkyB has been damaged as opposition to the deal mounts. Political Scrapbook blogs that David Cameron has intervened to save Rebekah Brooks’ skin before, and Peter Oborne believes that the PM’s close links to News International could permanently stain his reputation. However, Tim Leunig at Liberal Democrat Voice believes that the PM is still holding all the cards when it comes to managing his public image.
The economy
As British train manufacturer Bombardier announces 1,400 job losses at its plant in Derby, the BBC’s economics editor Paul Mason wonders what the reaction would have been like if this had been a London-based bank, and Paul Waugh at Politics Home suggests that we may see the beginning of a new era of protectionism. The Tory Diary notes that Philip Hammond is looking into ways of giving UK manufacturers a better chance of winning UK government contracts.
Left Foot Forward reports that Ed Balls has called for a new bank bonus tax, and Tony Dolphin provides a full economic update for July 2011. Cameron tells The Spectator that the Eurozone crisis presents opportunities for Britain to renegotiate its relationship with Europe.
High speed rail
Boris Johnson has snubbed plans for the construction of a new High Speed Rail line, according to ConservativeHome, which notes that the Mayor’s opposition also represents a challenge to George Osborne. The Spectator claims that Johnson wanted an additional tube line from Euston in exchange for his support for the project, while the Adam Smith Institute complains that there are few sound principles in financing the second phase of the project, which could cost over £30 million.
Afghanistan
The Coffee House suggests that the Afghan conflict is creating other conflicts for Cameron, and The Tory Diary argues that Afghanistan should not be left to the generals.
Party Politics
Liberal Conspiracy notes that Ed Miliband has lost support from Labour voters following on from his repetitive response to the strikes last week, but more people blame the government than they do the unions. Political Betting wonders whether the Labour Leader is being written off prematurely.
And finally…
Caroline Lucas on the Guardian’s Environment Blog argues that the government is at a cross roads on solar energy.
Women’s Views on News welcomes new guidance issued by the director of public prosecutions, Keir Starmar QC, that women who retract rape claims because they fear violent repercussions should not face criminal charges.
The NHS turned 63 this week, but Jos Bell at Labour List wonders whether there is cause for much celebration.
