Regular features
Westminster News
International News
Local and Devolved News
Public Services News
Parliament and civil rights
There has never been more need for genuine debate in parliament about how to protect civil liberties, writes Robin Oakley.
Robin Oakley
Judging Tory success
It will be March 2006 at the earliest before we learn whether the new Tory leader has won over the public, says Sir Robert Worcester.
Sir Robert Worcester
The Month in Review
Edward Davie
Family Matters
Modern myth
Contrary to popular perception, ‘common law’ partners have little or no rights. Vanessa Lloyd-Platt argues the case for a cohabitant’s charter
Vanessa Lloyd-Platt
Putting children first
Court handling of custody battles must be improved, says Lord Falconer.
Lord Falconer
Family facelift
The Conservatives are the only party committed to fundamental overhaul of the family justice system, writes Theresa May.
Theresa May
Separation anxiety
Protests by campaign groups has forced ministers into action over parental rights, argues Annette Brooke.
Annette Brooke
Relative values
Grandparents require an improvement in their rights to reflect the change in their role, suggests Baroness Greengross
Baroness Greengross
Marriage of inconvenience
The tax and benefits system discourages family unity, argues Nick Hurd MP
Nick Hurd
Capital punishement
The institution of marriage is being eroded by an unsympathetic tax policy, argues Michael Bennett
Michael B Bennett
Lost in the system
Ministers have made improvements to the prospects for children in care, but more work needs to be done, insists David Kidney MP
David Kidney
Transport
Taking the greener initiative
Recent projects have given impetus to government plans for road charging. But, writes Barrie Clement, Alistair Darling is unlikely to be the minister pushing it through
Barrie Clement
Pay and ride?
Road user charging is one of many options Britain must consider to tackle increased congestion, suggests Stephen Ladyman.
Dr Stephen Ladyman
Driving out the motorist
Government plans for road-user charging should not amount to another tax on car owners, warns Alan Duncan.
Alan Duncan
The green route
Road user charging offers an environmentally friendly way of managing increasing car use, argues Tom Brake.
Tom Brake
Prevention as cure
Drivers will see the benefits of congestion charging in the long term,insists Duncan McLaren
Duncan McLaren
Adapting to the new rules of the game
Counter terrorism is now the day job, writes Andy Trotte
Andy Trotter
On parallel lines
The government’s attempts to introduce trams in Britain’s cities have been hampered by a lack of integration with other public transport systems, warns Edward Leigh MP
Edward Leigh
Progress at a price
Ken Livingstone has delivered improvements to London’s transport – but wasteful spending hampers the network, warns Roger Evans AM
Roger Evans
Solving the mobility problem
Tim Lomax of the Texas Transportation Institute outlines the key factors governing congestion
Tim Lomax
The sky's the limit
Harry Bush explains the increase in passenger numbers at the UK’s regional airport
Harry Bush
Plane choice
The aviation and environment debate must happen in an economic context, argues Keith Jowett
Keith Jowett
Wing and a prayer
Tim Johnson warns of the climate change cost of airport expansion
Tim Johnson
Trade with China
The emperor's new clothes
Richard Lawson explains the events that led up to the textiles row between Europe and China
Richard Lawson
The Orient express
It is in the interest of the international community that links are forged with China, whose economy continues to expand at a terrific pace, argues Tony Baldry MP
Tony Baldry
Embracing the dragon
China’s increased economic importance means European leaders must appreciate the country’s political clout, argues Katinka Barysch
Katinka Barysch
Broadcasting
The future's bright
The digital switchover will bring a host of benefits to British communities, suggests James Purnell MP
James Purnell
Remote controlled
Technology is rapidly transforming the broadcasting industry, which means the license fee does not represent a sustainable way of funding the BBC, argues Theresa May MP
Theresa May
Keeping communities in the picture
Ministers must ensure that no viewers are left staring at a blank screen when the analogue signal is switched off, warns Don Foster MP
Don Foster
In depth: Labour
Honouring Nye's dream
Like the NHS, the Labour Party must return to its principles, says Peter Law.
Peter Law
In depth: Conservative
The elephant in the drawing room
Tories feel more able to admit scepticism over the war in Iraq now a leadership contest is underway, writes Adam Boulton.
Adam Boulton
In depth: Liberal Democrat
Holding back on the deals
No party should outline their plans for coalition until the situation arises, warns Simon Hughes.
Simon Hughes
Considering a coalition
A Conservative-Lib Dem alliance could be the means by which Charles Kennedy reaches government benches, insists Ian Bruce
Ian Bruce
In depth: International
When the dream turned to nightmare
Gary Younge assesses the impact Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath has had on the American psyche
Gary Younge
In depth: Devolved
A feeling of deja vu
While world leaders have hailed the IRA’s statements as historic, at home they have been met with scepticism, reports Mary Fitzgerald.
Mary Fitzgerald
In depth: Local
All politics is local
Serving in local councils is great grounding for new MPs, insists Chris Leslie
Chris Leslie
In depth: Health
Desperate for a remedy
Dr Michael Crawford gives an insider’s account of the NHS funding crisis
Dr Michael Crawford
In depth: Education
Dumping the junk
Improving the nation’s diet begins in the classroom, Mary Creagh MP suggests
Mary Creagh
Je ne regrette?
Je ne regrette? - Lord Kinnock
Lord Kinnock was Labour Party leader until the 1992 general election; he has subsequently been Vice-President of the European Commission and is currently the Chairman of the British Council. He was talking to Edward Davie
