The Agenda

Week in Westminster
Will the ex-PM queer our new foreign secretary's pitch, wonders Sam Macrory
Sam Macrory

Commons Gallery

Daniel Forman

Commons Diary
The feverish atmosphere in Westminster surrounding the departure of Tony Blair becomes additionally surreal for Caroline Spelman as she battles floods – and imprisonment in ‘the Tower’
Caroline Spelman

Lords Gallery

Andrew Evans

Lords Diary
Freedom of conscience dominates a week in which the new convenor of the crossbench peers marks Salman Rushdie’s 60th birthday, seeks redress for torture victims, and hears an appeal for Zimbabwe
Baroness D'Souza

Hottest desk in the House
Andrew Alexander meets the director of the Parliamentary Information and Communications Technology Service, and hears about its mission to inform and connect parliamentarians
Andrew Alexander

Gold at the end of the rainbow?
The transfer of power within the Labour Party has obscured a difficult few weeks for the opposition, but the publication of a series of policy reviews offers a chance to put the Cameron project back on track. Tim Montgomerie investigates whether the leader can continue to straddle the Tory modernising and traditionalist camps
Tim Montgomerie

You couldn't make it up
Like Yes Minister before it, The Thick of It has an authenticity that appeals to MPs and public alike. Michael Gove meets its author and learns how political geekery was repaid with a comedy hit
Michael Gove

A pensioner with punch
Now a forum for debate and dialogue as much as an independent news source, the BBC World Service is marking 75 years on air with new audiences around the globe, says Nigel Chapman
Nigel Chapman

Henmania in the House
The spirit of Wimbledon is alive and well in the Lords & Commons Tennis Club, says Baroness Billingham
Baroness Billingham

Baptised in Maggie’s bonfire
Some key politicising experiences confirmed David Gauke in his Conservatism at an early age –Edward Davie meets the high-flying lawyer and latest recruit to the shadow Treasury team
David Gauke

Building the London legend
Jim Fitzpatrick hails the renaissance of London as a centre of culture as well as prosperity
Jim Fitzpatrick

Spirit of the city fathers
Restore lost powers to London’s local councils and you will rekindle civic pride, argues Jacqui Lait
Jacqui Lait

Time for capital consensus
An autocratic mayor is not the answer to housing and transport problems in London, says Tom Brake
Tom Brake

The four-minute bus mile
London's transport problems can't be allowed to derail growth-- or the Olympics, says Roger Evans
Roger Evans

Let's integrate the estate
Social housing in London must serve those in need without creating ghettos, says Kate Davies
Kate Davies

Making sure the kids are alright
With youth violence in London escalating, Camila Batmanghelidjh calls for new ‘parenting centres’
Camila Batmanghelidjh

Upskill to upscale
London can’t sustain its prodigious growth rate without a stronger skills base, says Nigel Bourne
Nigel Bourne

Statistical error
Sir Simon Milton on the dangers of being on the front line armed with questionable population data
Sir Simon Milton

A better place to bank
Angela Knight celebrates the success of London in becoming the world’s financial capital
Angela Knight

Don’t fetter a thoroughbred
Our capital needs investment and freedom, not cramping regulation, says Mark Field
Mark Field

Electionwatch
A round-up of recent and forthcoming elections

Book Review
A new biography of Robert Peel depicts him as an underestimated prime minister with 21st century resonance, says Keith Simpson
Keith Simpson

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