News
A round up of national news

The Oakley Column
Robin Oakley's take on political developments
Robin Oakley

Month in Review
Richard Hall looks back at the month in politics
Richard Hall

Doctor on call
He was the youngest foreign secretary ever, the man who split the Labour Party to form the SDP and then a key player in the attempts to broker a peace in the Balkans – by any standards Lord David Owen has had a colourful political career. Now he tells Edward Davie how he wants to see fresh ideas and fresh blood in the centre ground of British politics
Edward Davie

Out with the new
Instead of wasting time trying to preserve the reputation of Tony Blair and the New Labour project, the Labour Party should instead focus on trying to salvage its own political standing, argues Bryan Gould
Bryan Gould

Friends in highland places?
Ever since Scotland fell out with Margaret Thatcher the Tories have struggled to regain any semblance of standing North of the border. As May’s election approaches, Gerry Hassan wonders if Scotland will ever turn blue again
Gerry Hassan

Learning how to lord it
The rules of engagement have significantly altered in the House of Lords, writes Sam Macrory, with the Liberal Democrats the key instigators behind this change of tack
Sam Macrory

Tiny steps on the Giant’s Causeway
Senator George Mitchell reflects on his time as President Clinton’s special envoy to Northern Ireland, and assesses how the province has changed since his first visit over a decade ago. He was talking to Andrew Alexander
Andrew Alexander

Grasshoppers without portfolios
After dominating Northern Irish politics for over 30 years, the Reverend Ian Paisley is short of time to shape a devolved and peaceful province. Tom Paulin looks at the principles that drive a man who embodies hardline Unionism
Tom Paulin

Eager to police
Ian Paisley explains the DUP’s decision to elevate policing to the top of Northern Ireland’s political agenda, and in the wake the Sinn Fein’s vote to support policing last week calls on Gerry Adams’ party to match its own words with action
Ian Paisley

Policing the peace
Gerry Adams explains why Sinn Féin’s historic vote to support Northern Ireland’s Police Service marks a vital step in the quest to build peace in Ulster
Gerry Adams

Integration nation
The economic imbalance between the North and South of Ireland must be addressed for the benefits of both parts of the island, with devolution the first vital step in this direction, writes Seán Farren
Seán Farren

Copper standards
The debate over policing is important, but it is not a top priority for the people of Northern Ireland, writes Sir Reg Empey
Reg Empey

Rebel yells revisited
Legendary guitarist Henry McCullough reflects on Ireland’s rich musical history with Sam Macrory
Sam Macrory

Rural revolt in the planning
Omagh councillor Sean Begley takes issue with the Planning Service’s presumption against development with regard to rural buildings in his district
Sean Begley

In Belfast’s fair city
Now living in Australia, Belfast-born Lonely Planet co-founder Maureen Wheeler reflects on how Northern Ireland has evolved since her childhood to become a must-see tourist destination
Maureen Wheeler

Demonstration of intent
Sam Macrory meets Tarique Ghaffur, Britain’s most senior Asian police officer and the man whose no-nonsense approach to street protest helped earn him a key security role for the 2012 Olympics
Sam Macrory

Comfort blanket
Radicalism and social conscience must go hand in hand to reduce fear and increase the feeling of safety and security, says John Reid
John Reid

Longer view
Edward Garnier says home affairs policy should be less about knee-jerk and more about engaging with the public and delivering on long-term aims
Edward Garnier

Freedom of choices
Nick Clegg calls on his party to show that Liberalism is as effective in practice as it is consistent in principle when it comes to tackling crime and improving security
Nick Clegg

Keeping it together
He was the last Conservative home secretary, now Michael Howard tells Edward Davie that his former department should not be split up and what is really needed is for John Reid to "get a grip"
Edward Davie

Making of a miscarriage
This government’s approach to law and order is the best way to lose the hearts and minds that are so vital in winning the war against terrorism, argues Louise Christian
Louise Christian

Exorcise programme
Can the Sustainable Communities Bill breathe life back into Britain’s beleaguered high streets? Nick Hurd, who topped the private members’ ballot with the bill, tells Sam Macrory why it marks a new age in political thinking
Sam Macrory

Housing as a zero-sum game
By 2050 up to a third of all homes will have been built after 2006. Ruth Kelly explains the government’s plans for ensuring they all produce zero carbon emissions
Ruth Kelly

Stoking the South
The government’s approach to housing is both environmentally unfriendly and culturally divisive, says Caroline Spelman
Caroline Spelman

More carrots, less carbon
The government may be on the right track when it comes to sustainable housing, says Andrew Stunell, but its steps are both timid and faltering
Andrew Stunell

Gateway or garden path?
A lack of foresight, and a failure to put together a co-ordinated approach, has left Wayne Hemingway concerned that the Thames Gateway Project risks heading towards a mediocre conclusion
Wayne Hemingway

A favourable climate
Jonathon Porritt reviews the current debate over how to improve Britain’s housing stock, and calls on the government to take advantage of the nation’s growing awareness of climate changeA favourable climate
Jonathon Porritt

Decentralisation debunked
Gerald E. Frug casts his eye over the recently published local government white paper, and finds that it contains much to praise, but a great deal to question
Gerald E. Frug

High rate of interest
John McFall gives Sam Macrory a crash course in the workings of his Treasury select committee, one of the most consistent and effective performers on the committee corridor
Sam Macrory

Test in public attitude
The government respects the right to protest, but equally respects the rights of scientists and business people who use animals in research, says Malcolm Wicks
Malcolm Wicks

Je ne regrette: Lord Steel
Lord David Steel was Liberal Party leader from the late 1970s, forging the Lib-Lab pact with Jim Callaghan’s government. In the 1980s he formed the Alliance with David Owen’s SDP before merging the parties. He was talking to Edward Davie
Edward Davie