News
A round-up of latest developments in and around Westminster

Westminster Village
A light-hearted take on life in Westminster

The Oakley Column
Robin Oakley's monthly take on politics
Robin Oakley

THE BIG DEBATE:
Scottish independence
Alex Salmond and David Mundell

The Hain threshold
Peter Hain tells Edward Davie that Labour’s leadership has “lost touch” with the party’s grass roots and the wider electorate, and explains how he would restore the link if he became deputy leader
Edward Davie

The judgment of history
No prime minister can dictate their own legacy, explains Lord Morgan – but that hasn’t stopped them trying
Lord Morgan

Cameron’s crumbs
With the May 3rd elections representing the first real test of David Cameron’s leadership, Iain Dale assesses what would constitute success or failure for the Conservatives
Iain Dale

Tuned in and turned on?
Award-winning blogger and Lib Dem councillor Stephen Tall assesses our politicians’ attempts to embrace the internet and whether their initial advances are reaping rewards
Stephen Tall

Gordon Brown’s schooldays
With an education policy that has failed to address the link between disadvantage and educational underachievement, Fiona Millar predicts testing times ahead for the chancellor
Fiona Millar

Tricky diagnosis
Nowhere has Gordon Brown been so reticent on his policy visions than in the area of health, writes Nigel Hawkes
Nigel Hawkes

Payback time
Ruth Lea argues that Chancellor Brown’s economic legacy has created some serious challenges in the future for Prime Minister Brown
Ruth Lea

Warner unplugged
Four months on from his resignation as a health minister, Lord Warner reflects on the progress made – and the stumbling blocks encountered, during his time in office. He was talking to Sam Macrory
Sam Macrory

Reformed approach
Andrew Lansley says that the Conservatives would put an end to this government’s constant bombardment of the NHS with endless new legislation
Andrew Lansley

Central disorder
The government’s attempts to create genuine choice in healthcare remain hopelessly flawed, says Norman Lamb
Norman Lamb

A full-blooded fight
Diabetes is a pandemic that cannot be ignored, warns Adrian Sanders, who calls for cross-party action to address the growing number of cases around the world
Adrian Sanders

All in a day’s work
Noreena Hertz explains why she has enlisted the support of Premiership footballers to highlight the funding crisis that is harming the future of nursing in this country
Noreena Hertz

Mend it like Peckham
The recent focus on murders committed by young people has pushed social service provision up the political agenda, but leading youth worker Camila Batmanghelidjh tells Edward Davie that things are going to get “much worse”
Edward Davie

Flowers of youth
Beverley Hughes explains how government plans are helping to ensure that all children receive the best possible start in life
Beverley Hughes

Family affairs
It’s time for the government to stop forcing children to behave as mini-adults and give greater responsibility back to parents, writes Tim Loughton
Tim Loughton

Playing to win
Children who miss out on active play risk impairing both their personal and physical development, warns Annette Brooke
Annette Brooke

The kids are alright
In response to a recent damning Unicef report on child wellbeing, Al Aynsley-Green argues that it is time to stop demonising children in this country
Al Aynsley-Green

Windows of opportunity
While not every child will grow up to be an acclaimed artist or actor, the benefits of teaching to think creatively will be felt throughout their lives, writes Floella Benjamin
Floella Benjamin

Magic numbers
Between them the government and the BBC have failed in their responsibilities to give young people a grounding in science and maths, a failing that could have major consequences, warns Johnny Ball
Johnny Ball

Sachs appeal
Sam Macrory talks to economist Jeffrey Sachs, the 2007 Reith lecturer and the man who believes that with a little focus and optimism, global poverty is a solvable challenge
Sam Macrory

Rough trade?
Fair trade is a commendable take on capitalism but its contribution to tackling world poverty remains marginal at best, writes Brink Lindsey
Brink Lindsey

The fog of war
Clare Short assesses a decade of this government’s record on international development, and finds that the sector has been a serious casualty of the ‘war on terror’
Clare Short

Water of life
Picking up on a current inquiry being undertaken by his select committee, Malcolm Bruce explains why building skills is the key to delivery on sanitation and water
Malcolm Bruce

Soldiering responsibilities
Afghanistan’s child soldiers must be demobilised and given a chance in civilian society, writes Martin Bell
Martin Bell

Eastern rising
While it is the duty of Western politicians to treat Asia as an equal partner,it is Asia’s challenge to learn how to rely on itself, writes Chandran Nair
Chandran Nair

The tightrope to peace
Erik Solheim explains the bitter lessons he has learned from the unravelling of a painstakingly brokered peace deal in Sri Lanka
Erik Solheim

Full steam ahead
Sam Macrory interviews Gwyneth Dunwoody, the longest-serving committee chairman in Parliament
Sam Macrory

Sheerman’s test of skills
Ruth Keeling looks on as Barry Sheerman attempts to keep his committee members happy
Ruth Keeling

Je ne regrette: Rod Richards
Rod Richards was Conservative MP for North West Clwyd from 1992 to 1997, later appointed as Conservative leader in the Welsh Assembly in 1999. He resigned following accusations that he had assaulted a young woman, charges that were dropped the following June. Richards stood down as an Assembly member in 2002. He was talking to Edward Davie
Edward Davie