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| Our top stories of the week, for your reading pleasure... Five: Prisoner book ban comes to an end Nearly a year after we first reported of its existence, the prisoner book ban was finally reversed. Along the way there were countless protests and letter campaigns, but it was ultimately stopped by lawyers working hundreds of hours for free on a judicial review. Lawyers have always been seen as an untrustworthy bunch, from Shakespeare's time to now. But very quietly, behind the scenes, some are more principled and determined than their reputation would suggest. Four: Cyclists are to blame for road deaths: TfL board member Transport for London board member John Armitt won himself no friends whatsoever among cyclists after a strange rant in which he blamed their road death on... well, them. The National Express Group chairman was trying to block Boris Johnson's plans for segregated cycling lanes in London. There's still a lot of opposition to the lanes, despite strong public support. Three: The knives are out for the Green party As the Green party has risen in prominence, has been subject to a new level of scrutiny from journalists. Leader Natalie Bennett visibly struggled to answer questions about some of her flagship policies while being interrogated by Andrew Neil recently and there is a sense that the party may not be able to withstand the heat of the election campaign. But for Green MEP Molly Scott Cato this is just conservatism masquerading as robust debate. Two: Not even the MoJ understands what it is doing today Another week, another debacle by the Ministry of Justice. The department kick-started its plans for the private sector to get those who'd done short prison sentences onto the straight and narrow. The only problem was, no-one actually knew what they were. From magistrates to probation staff, there was blanket confusion about what the new scheme entails. Perhaps if they'd put the same effort into implementation that they'd put into the press campaign... One: Tristram Hunt tells parent to 'stop moaning and do some work' Labour's education spokesman has not had a good week. He ended it in a fight with nuns on Question Time. He hadn't really done anything wrong, of course. This is British politics. It is no longer necessary to have done something wrong to be in trouble. But being seen in a row with nuns is not considered sensible for front bench politicians. His other slip up came while messing about on – where else? – Twitter. When one member of the public asked him for his education policies, Hunt replied by sending him a link to the Labour website and writing: "Stop moaning. Read the speeches. Do some work." Again: not a good look. As the father of two told us afterwards: "I think politicians have lost the idea of who their employers really are." Best of the rest...PwC promoting tax avoidance 'on an industrial scale' Firms told to funnel profits to Luxemburg to escape paying tax The Lib Dem lead balloon strategy The Liberal Democrats are unveiling an unappealing election strategy: more austerity. Good luck with that. How embarrassing is the BBC's Inside The Commons for parliament's bigwigs? Will Cockerell's documentary improve or damage parliament's image? Why is Europe refusing to change course on drugs? As the world shifts to a more liberal position on drugs, is Europe being left behind? Tories want to ram home Evel - whatever the other parties think The Conservative approach to English votes for English laws (Evel) isn't about finding the answer to a difficult question any more. It's about winning the general election. The Tory attacks on Labour are failing. Will they change course? There is little sign voters are returning to the Conservatives Comment: English votes for English laws will weaken the Union English votes for English laws is a separatist measure - but at least William Hague's version is the least separatist of all. Rule 35: How Britain knowingly detains victims of torture New evidence shows the safeguards set up to protect victims of torture are falling apart - but is it ignorance or willful blindness? Police say they need tasers to combat terror – but where's the evidence? There are signs of mission creep in the police's use of this potentially deadly weapon | An expanded Heathrow will benefit all of BritainBacking expansion at Heathrow isn't just what's best for London - it's the choice for UK airports up and down the country too. Rethink Mental Illness response to Home Affairs Select Committee reportRethink Mental Illness response to ‘Policing and mental health’ report. Only respite for teachers is a change of government in MayChris Keates: 'The Coalition Government’s response to the Workload Challenge demonstrates its contempt for the teaching profession'. Rowan Williams heads religious leaders in call for fair study of Humanism in schools28 religious leaders have called on schools minister Nick Gibb to reverse the Government’s decision to exclude an annex on Humanism from new RS GCSEs and preclude similar systematic study from AS and A levels. |
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