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| Here's our five most-read articles of the last seven days... 5 - Comment: They're smuggling the snoopers' charter into law The bid by a quartet of peers to get the snoopers' charter on to the statute book caused serious controversy this week. And although their 17-page amendment was eventually withdrawn, the debate it triggered underlined once again just how serious the threat to our freedoms. Alastair Sloan wrote: "When policymakers tell us that the threat from jihadists returning from Iraq and Syria is unprecedented, should we take them on their word? If we do it might require an unprecedented surrender of our hard-won civil liberties." 4 - Alan Milburn's personal interest in resisting a public NHS When shadow health secretary Andy Burnham gave a speech declaring it was time to end the Tories' "market experiment in the NHS", he wouldn't have expected such a blistering attack from his own side. Former New Labour big beast Alan Milburn warned of a "fatal mistake" risked by Labour's approach. His intervention caused big headlines – but needs to be understood for the context in which it took place. Milburn's interests make him a far from impartial commentator on the private sector and the NHS. 3 - The mystery of Chris Grayling's expenses Why will the justice secretary not explain away his expenses? The scandal is now six years old, but Grayling still faces questions about whether he did as he said he would. His office insists he kept his promise to his constituents. So why won't they offer any proof of this when asked? 2 - Home Office clings to the raft as international drug consensus crumbles The US anti-legalisation lobby is now in such a retreat that it is redefining what constitutes acceptable behaviour in the war on drugs. This, it now turns out, includes the legalisation of entire categories of narcotics. It poses a big opportunity for British politicians to change their own stance, too – but none of them – even Lib Dem Home Office minister Lynne Featherstone – are taking the opportunity. 1 - David Cameron declares war on Scotland The SNP's latest clever political move, pledging to vote to protect the NHS in England, is now over a week old, but readers in Scotland remain rather worked up about our take on it. The problem for unionists is that David Cameron took the bait of Nicola Sturgeon's positioning: his complaints about 'fairness' don't look too clever, and in the long-run may end up hastening the nationalists' cause. In the meantime, the comments on the bottom of this article now reveal something about the state of the debate north of the border. They even include the word "ocht"… which you don't see very much in Westminster. Best of the rest...Playing God: MPs will defy the science in Tuesday's genetic modification vote Britain could become the first country in the world to legalise human genetic modification next week. It's a watershed moment for humanity - but is this a step we want to take? Migrant voters could help swing the election result New research shows migrants have more political power than they realise - but will they use it? Review: Selma The first Martin Luthor King biopic from a major studio proves complex, adult and emotionally satisfying Coe no-go: Tories draw blank in mayoral hunt Sebastian Coe declares himself out of the race to be London mayor PMQs verdict: Ed Miliband fails to fire his weapon Labour leader struggles again to take political advantage of the NHS. Minority rule: Labour all but rules out SNP coalition Coalition governments are now 'deeply unpopular' warns Ed Balls Revealed: The MoJ's ten-step spin doctor process MPs are questioning the number of spin doctors checking over government pronouncements before they are released, after a leaked memo revealed just how many Ministry of Justice (MoJ) officials check answers given to parliamentarians. Parliament needs a 'rebrand' - so it's going for the digital look Parliament hopes embracing the internet will make its politicians more popular – but the digital upheaval it hopes will silence the critics risks backfiring. | ‘End Blasphemy Laws’: BHA supports new international campaign seeking repeal of blasphemy laws around the worldA new campaign aiming to bring an end to blasphemy laws around the world launches today. NASUWT comments on secondary performance league tablesChris Keates: 'Every year the Coalition Government has changed the basis on which school performance is measured'. 100 days to the vote for educationThe NASUWT has marked 100 days to the General Election with the distribution of materials aimed at teachers, parents and the public emphasising the entitlements that our public education service should deliver for all children and young people. Rethink Mental Illness response to Monitor statement on NHS fundingHealth regulator Monitor, which sets national prices for NHS services, has today announced it is postponing the introduction of a proposed 1.5% cut to mental health services in 2015/16, after an unprecedented response from commissioners and service providers. Why we must commit to HeathrowFrom Land's End to John O'Groats, Heathrow is best placed to maximise economic benefit to the UK. |
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