The Week
A round up of last week's news

Brown’s golden opportunity
The chancellor’s speech last week felt far more like a pre-leadership report than a forerunner to the budget, writes John Pienaar
John Pienaar

Commons Gallery
Daniel Forman reports on the week’s key developments in the Commons
Daniel Forman

My week: Caroline Spelman
She shall overcome - Aftermath of the Queen’s Speech coincides with start of the dreaded Christmas rush
Caroline Spelman

Lords Gallery
Andrew Evans rounds up the week's developments in the House of Lords
Andrew Evans

My week: Lord Plant
Speaking one’s mind - Culture, classes and clashes over Iraq
Lord Plant

In the editor’s chair
Martin Linton talks the politics of print with Independent editor Simon Kelner
Martin Linton

All right Jack?
Having persuaded the Prime Minister of the need for a poll, Jack Straw now has to try and deliver a Yes vote in the looming EU constitution referendum, writes John Kampfner
John Kampfner

Australian rules
After last week’s analysis of Labour in the run-up to the expected general election, we focus on the Conservatives. Dennis Shanahan profiles the party’s new Australian poll strategist Lynton Crosby
Dennis Shanahan

Trading blows
Angela Jameson discusses the trade agenda and argues that the ever-changing landscape will be fashioned by the hands of the new European Commission
Angela Jameson

Keeping Britain working
Patricia Hewitt outlines how Labour will keep Britain at the forefront of the rapidly-changing world economy
Patricia Hewitt

Reeling in the red tape
The government should cut back its addiction to regulation and give new businesses the chance to grow, argues James Arbuthnot
James Arbuthnot

The idiocy of isolation
European and world markets are adapting to the euro and leaving Britain behind, explains Malcolm Bruce

Poised to take advantage
The strength of the economy has left British companies with huge opportunities to develop trade with the rest of Europe and beyond, explains Martin O’Neill
Martin O’Neill

Lure of the east
China’s economy is on an upward spiral and British business must seize the opportunities this provides, writes Lord Powell
Lord Powell

China in our hands
Brian Cotter explains how China is fast becoming a vital trade ally for Britain
Brian Cotter

Historic opportunities
Traditional trade relationships between the UK and India should be built on to guarantee mutual economic growth, writes Ashok Kumar
Ashok Kumar

Sweet clarity
Lord Howe outlines what steps are being taken to recast the tax laws and make them clearer and easier to use
Lord Howe

Dialogue: Electoral reform
from: Anne Campbell to Jimmy Hoodfrom: Jimmy Hood to Anne Campbell subject: Commons electoral reform

Electionwatch
Polls and election round up
Craig Hoy

Cobbett’s corner
Chirs Moncrieff rounds up recent events
Chris Moncrieff