The Week
The Week
National and International news
Campaign Diary
Going round stirring up apathy
Austin Mitchell is relieved to be breathing in some seaside air, but the stench of the Westminster treadmill still lingers
Austin Mitchell
Cover Story
Prepared for power games?
As the leader of a party that describes itself as ‘the real alternative’, Charles Kennedy’s personable manner wins support. But does this quality equip him for real power politics? Sam Macrory reports
Sam Macrory
Election Rewind
Aboard the Maggie bandwagon
In the second of a series of interviews on post-war watershed election campaigns, Edward Davie talks to Lord Howe of Aberavon about the 1979 poll – when Britons elected their first female prime minister
Edward Davie
Policy Focus: Foreign Affairs and Defence
A clear choice
Jack Straw reflects on the campaign so far and, below, Labour’s view is set out on the divisive issue of Europe and security
Jack Straw
Keeping Britain’s guard up
Conservative foreign policy is oriented towards diplomacy and democracy while maintaining the reputation of our armed forces, explains Michael Ancram
Michael Ancram
Winning back the trust
Sir Menzies Campbell argues that foreign policy must be based on freedom and fairness
Sir Menzies Campbell
Riding two wild horses
With the US looking to the East and the constitutional treaty rising up the agenda, the next government will have a full foreign policy plate, says Richard G. Whitman
Dr Richard G. Whitman
Matériel considerations
For all the controversy over going to war in Iraq, defence is curiously absent from the campaign headlines. Michael Codner puts some pertinent questions
Michael Codner
A social democratic imperative
It wouldn’t just be churlish to reject the EU constitution, says Roger Liddle –it would undermine decades of progress towards social democracy
Roger Liddle
Special reports
Programmes for the province
Messages from the UUP, DUP and SDLP on public service pledges
Tune in and turn on
Britain’s ‘want it now’ culture has seen the public switch off from politics. Mark Flanagan explains how commercial radio is trying to change things
Mark Flanagan
Europe’s message of equality
There’s more money than ever from the European Social Fund this year for projects dedicated to social and economic equality. And, as Ken Lambert explains, pioneering charities and voluntary groups will receive much of it
Ken Lambert
The alternative election map
Warwick Smith on how trade associations can prepare for the post-election Westminster landscape
Warwick Smith
Mastering the message
The key role played by public relations in modern politics was recognised this year with a royal charter. Francis Ingham reviews the parliamentary ‘brand’
Francis Ingham
Elections
Electionwatch
A round up of recent and forthcoming elections
Other
Cobbett's Corner
Chris Moncrieff on election stunts that go wrong
Chris Moncrieff
Backtrack..
This week in history
