News
A round up of national and international news

Month in review
Andrew Alexander reviews the last month in politics
Andew Alexander

The Oakley Column
Robin Oakley's take on the political world
Robin Oakley

For a few pennies more
Three years on since his release from prison, Jeffrey Archer tells Sam Macrory he is too busy with charity work and novel-writing to return to frontline politics
Sam Macrory

Security infirm
In response to last month’s interview with Nick Raynsford, Conservative homeland security minister Patrick Mercer tells Edward Davie that "virtually nothing" has happened to make the Tube safer since 2005’s terrorist attacks
Edward Davie

Smarter than your average bear?
The expected Gordon Brown government may have opportunities galore ahead but, warns Colin Brown, an array of potential beartraps lie in wait
Colin Brown

The secret’s in the timing
Though the succession is not entirely under his control, Gordon Brown could confound David Cameron with a well-timed general election, suggests Phillip Oppenheim
Phillip Oppenheim

Boxing clever?
It’s not only David Cameron who needs to fear the clunking fist; Sir Menzies Campbell also needs to show that he is up for a fight in 2007.Olly Kendall envisages the weigh-in
Olly Kendall

Direct and declassified
Sam Macrory talks to General Sir Mike Jackson about his decision to speak out against the MoD’s management of the armed forces, and his views on the current situation in Iraq
Sam Macrory

A price worth paying
With an increasingly unstable world and a 17-year lead time for the technology, Trident unquestionably needs replacing, argues Lord Drayson
Lord Drayson

Taking long term aim
Liam Fox calls on the government to address the mismatch between our military commitments and the decrease in our frontline capabilities
Dr Liam Fox

Smart bombs?
Unless the government imposes an outright ban on cluster munitions, it will be unable to hold the moral authority when speaking out against them, argues Nick Harvey
Nick Harvey

Spent force?
Guy Anderson assesses the UK’s defence spending commitments, and says that despite serious budgetary pressures, our armed forces remain relatively well-resourced
Guy Anderson

Trident and tested?
Dan Plesch doubts Britain can formulate truly independent foreign policy while it remains beholden to America for its nuclear deterrent
Dan Plesch

Matériel makeover
Following the recent publication of the National Audit Office’s report into defence spending, Tim Banfield looks at ways to improve the armed forces’ procurement record
Tim Banfield

The real deal
With May’s Assembly election deciding who gets to wield substantial new powers in Cardiff Bay, the devolved body’s presiding officer, Lord Elis-Thomas, talks to Edward Davie about the coming year in Welsh politics
Edward Davie

Over the rainbow?
Rhodri Morgan warns the Welsh electorate that a poor turnout next May could result in a Conservative-led rainbow coalition
Rhodri Morgan

Principal concerns
Nick Bourne is shocked by the arrogance that Labour has displayed in the Welsh Assembly, and vows that the Conservatives would take steps to empower local people
Nick Bourne

Feeling resourceful?
Wales stands on the cusp of a green revolution, but only if the tough decisions are taken now, says Mike German
Mike German

Part of the process
Ieuan Wyn Jones says that the only way for the Welsh National Assembly to become central to the lives of the people of Wales is further devolution
Ieuan Wyn Jones

Accent on success
There are many ways to help the youth of Wales to learn to master their nation’s language, writes Efa Gruffudd Jones
Efa Gruffudd Jones

Taking a stance
Former England cricket captain Michael Atherton has recently published a highly acclaimed history of gambling. Sam Macrory spoke to him about his views on the government’s overhaul of the UK’s gambling legislation, and his own relationship with the world of betting
Sam Macrory

Worth the gamble
New legislation will ensure gambling remains crime-free, fair and with the necessary protection in place – features that outright prohibition cannot guarantee, argues Richard Caborn
Richard Caborn

Play your cards right
Gambling addiction must be tackled as a top priority, argues Anne Milton, who worries that the government has seriously damaged the standing of what was once a responsible industry
Anne Milton

Pain without gain?
Don Foster flags up the differences between US and UK gambling policy, and questions whether new legislation on these shores allies social protection to economic benefit
Don Foster

Rules of the game
Peter Dean explains why new rules laid out by his commission will limit cases of problem gambling
Peter Dean

Dealt a blind hand
Peter Collins argues that new gambling legislation is clouded by ignorance
Peter Collins

Third-way politics
Stuart Etherington tells Matt Mercer why the voluntary sector is keen to be given a greater role in the delivery of public services
Matt Mercer

Partnership wish
Ed Miliband explains his vision for a partnership model between the public and the third sector – an arrangement he believes can shape a more equal and just society
Ed Miliband

Culture clash
Formal policy shifts aren’t enough – to get the voluntary sector involved in public service provision entire attitudes and cultures need to be addressed, believes Greg Clark
Greg Clark

Monitoring the alms race
While recent charities legislation has left Martin Horwood broadly satisfied, there remain some key areas which he feels have been overlooked
Martin Horwood

Hidden persuaders
With the creation of an Office of the Third Sector Stephen Cook sees an opportunity for the charity and voluntary sectors to raise their game in Whitehall
Stephen Cook

Finger on the pulse
Away from the horror headlines, Sam Macrory gets the lowdown from Kevin Barron, the chairman of the health select committee, about the true condition of the NHS
Sam Macrory

Animal instincts
Tipu Aziz explains why he is prepared to speak out on the need to continue testing on animals, and calls on fellow scientists to join him in publicly taking a stance
Tipu Aziz

What price sovereignty?
Richard Gordon discusses the potential conflict between national and european law
Richard Gordon QC

Je ne regrette: Frank Field
Frank Field was Tony Blair’s first minister of state at the Department of Social Security, charged with reforming the welfare system. He left government over philosophical differences with Gordon Brown. He was talking to Edward Davie
Edward Davie