Cobbett's Corner

Chris Moncrieff

Commons Gallery
Epolitix.com’s Chris Smith rounds up the week’s Commons-related events
Chris Smith

The estate we're in
Austin Mitchell endures a frustrating week of trying to engage the public on the uncertain future of council houses
Austin Mitchell

Lords Gallery
Andrew Evans reports on the week’s major developments in the Lords
Andrew Evans

Fed-up in February
Lord Wallace looks forward to escaping a dark and wet England for a weekend in Italy
Lord Wallace of Saltaire

Proportional and practical proposals
Douglas Alexander says that wide consultation has shaped a robust Civil Contingencies Bill with sensible safeguards
Douglas Alexander

Weak links in the chain of command
Patrick Mercer argues that the emergency powers the government plans to adopt will count for little without first class organisation
Patrick Mercer

Deepening the democratic deficit?
Richard Allan is concerned that, despite the government’s best intentions, the measures in the Civil Contingencies Bill have the potential to erode civil liberties rather than protect them
Richard Allan

Rigour and restraint
For reasons of geography and history, Europe’s response to the new security world order has been rather more measured than that of the United States, argues George Parker
George Parker

Confidence in our crisis containment
Rod Griffiths states his faith in the ability of the West Midlands region to effectively respond to emergency situations
Rod Griffiths

The voluntary contribution remains vital
Sir Nicholas Young argues that the extra dimension added by specialist emergency response organisations like the Red Cross should be recognised and safeguarded in the new Civil Contingencies Bill
Sir Nicholas Young

Tackling terror or cultivating extremism?
Mark Littlewood of Liberty contends that policies conceived in a climate of fear can undermine established freedoms and boost recruitment to radical Islam
Mark Littlewood

On the trail of the third term
Colin Brown senses that the big economic announcements of last week were the first clashes of a campaign that will lead to the Prime Minister announcing a June 2005 General Election
Colin Brown

Hitting the High Notes
Jonathan Sayeed has just ended two years as Chairman of the Parliament Choir. Here he looks back on some of the Choir’s highlights and achievements during those years
Jonathan Sayeed

Bush dodges preemption, Iraq and spending policy assaults
Congressional correspondent Bruce Carey rounds up recent events on Capitol Hill
Bruce Carey