The Agenda
A round-up of recent and forthcoming events

Slipping in under the wire
Gordon Brown will be hoping to avoid the European constitution issue becoming the first real foreign policy test of his premiership, writes Sam Macrory
Sam Macrory

Commons Gallery
Daniel Forman reports on the key developments in the Commons chamber
Daniel Forman

A rights revolution
A week that begins with an inspirational visit to an empowering enterprise for disabled people ends for Jeremy Hunt with a salutary reminder of man's inhumanity to man
Jeremy Hunt

Lords Gallery
Andrew Evans reports on key proceedings in the House of Lords
Andrew Evans

Circumnavigating the block
While others travel to exotic parts Baroness Barker rejoices in the contribution of other cultures to Britain, and continues her tireless efforts on behalf of the voluntary and social care sectors
Baroness Barker

The aspiration agenda
This week Jim Murphy publishes a pamphlet in association with the Social Market Foundation, on the politics of aspiration. Here, the minister sets out his views on 'progressive self-interest'
Jim Murphy

Changing hearts and minds
Eleanor Laing talks with gay equality campaigner Ben Summerskill about the liberating effect of new equality legislation that outlaws discrimination in the provision of goods and services
Eleanor Laing

Going ten rounds with Tony
Robert Orcard charts Tony Blair's difficult, often combative, relationship with Parliament
Robert Orchard

Greater expectations
Record investment has boosted voters' requirements of the NHS, and the government is struggling to satisfy them, says Greg Hurst
Greg Hurst

Could still do better
David Chaytor lauds the gains education policy has brought in the last ten years, but still wonders what might have been
David Chaytor

Selective amnesia
As Gordon Brown nears Number 10 his economic miracle is stalling, says Peter Riddell
Peter Riddell

Great oaks from small acorns
Elliot Morley explains why Labour can be proud of its environmental record
Elliot Morley

Constitutional constipation
Except for a few improvements to the machinery of government, the New Labour approach to constitutional reform has been piecemeal and lacking in strategy, says David Heath
David Heath

Don't mention the f-word
Labour's PR and spin have never taken root in the earthy world of farming, says David Curry
David Curry

Tortoise with a turbocharger
Gavin Strang says Labour's record on transport is a success, despite it not initially being a top priority
Gavin Strang

Rights and wrongs
Labour has delivered much to benefit workers, but it continues to keep the unions at arm's length, says Brendan Barber
Brendan Barber

Load-bearing policy
More needs to be done to balance out the inequalities in home ownership, says Julia Unwin
Julia Unwin

Decency and dignity for all
The much-maligned Human Rights Act has distinguished the Labour decade, says Andrew Dismore
Andrew Dismore

Playing politics with the poor
The needs of the world's poor are coming second to the convenience of DfID and the Treasury, charges Tony Baldry
Tony Baldry

Rebirth of the Requiem
The Parliament Choir, accompanied by its usual orchestra, Southbank Sinfonia, will be performing Mozart's Requiem on May 16 at Cadogan Hall, Sloane Square. Nick O'Neill introduces the work
Nick O'Neill

A two-way learning process
Over the 30 years of its existence the Industry and Parliament Trust has offered parliamentarians an invaluable insight into the working life of the nation, says Bill Olner
Bill Olner

Kids' wraparound cancer care
Government must make it easier for parents to care for their sick children, says Ian Gibson
Ian Gibson

A full-blooded fight
Philip Dunne explains the high-level action now being taken to fight the global scourge of diabetes
Philip Dunne

Cobbett's Corner
Chris Moncrieff takes a wry look at British politics
Chris Moncrieff

Electionwatch
A round-up of recent and forthcoming elections

Putting Foot right
David Winnick welcomes a biography that does much to restore Michael Foot's reputation as a fearless and free-thinking politician
David Winnick

Backtracks...
...this week in history

And another thing...
In the first of a new feature on parliamentarians' partners, Andrew Alexander meets Jane Slowey, wife of Labour's Richard Burden, and hears how she likes to play 'his most difficult constituent'
Andrew Alexander