Monday 16th April 2012
Topic:
"Respect's George Galloway has taken his seat in the House of Commons as the new MP for Bradford West."
Source: BBC News
Extract: He has vowed to speak out about Bradford's economic problems as well as his opposition to the Afghanistan war.
After reading the traditional oath of allegiance to The Queen, Mr Galloway was offered his congratulations by MPs - including Education Secretary Michael Gove - and shook the hand of Speaker John Bercow.
Mr Galloway was a Labour MP between 1987 and 2003, until he was expelled from the party for comments he made about the Iraq war.
After co-founding the Respect Party, he won the seat of Bethnal Green and Bow at the 2005 general election. He failed to be re-elected to Parliament when contesting a different seat in 2010.
Mr Galloway earlier told the BBC's Daily Politics that he was pleased to be back in Parliament after an absence of two years and would be focusing on local matters, such as reducing youth unemployment in Bradford and regenerating the city centre.
Comment: "You've got admire his balls haven't you?"
Tuesday 17th April 2012
Topic: Cameron - Euro
"Coalition still working well, David Cameron insists"
Source: BBC News
Extract: Baroness Warsi told the BBC on Monday that the two parties might "butt up" against each other over policies. But the prime minister told a cabinet meeting that Tories and Lib Dems "work well together", Downing Street said.
The comments follow heated debates over the NHS, taxes and surveillance laws.
Comment: "Together they have boosted an insipid opposition Labour Party to the lead in the voting intentions poll - but yes, they are working well together..."
Wednesday 18th April 2012
Topic: Coalition - Hesetine - Joining the Euro
"Lord Heseltine says UK will join the euro"
Source: BBC News
Extract: Conservative peer and former deputy prime minister Lord Heseltine has told the BBC that he thinks the UK will join the euro "if it survives".
Comment: "It's all madness!"
Thursday 19th April 2012
Topic: Jabour Peer Lord Ahmed
"UK's first Muslim life peer was suspended by Labour bosses last night after apparently offering £10million for the capture of Barack Obama and George Bush!"
Source: The Sun
Extract: Lord Ahmed reportedly told a conference in Pakistan: 'If the US can announce a $10million reward for the captor of Hafiz Saeed, I can announce a bounty of £10million on President Obama and his predecessor.'
Saeed is wanted over terror attacks that killed 166 in Mumbai, India.
Comment: "A concerning state of affairs - are there any Politicians left that we can trust? Damned silly question, sorry!"
Friday 20th April 2012
Topic: Crime
"Street crime shock: Muggings and robberies rise 10% as police cuts bite
Source: The Mirror
Extract: Robberies, bag snatches, pick-pocketing and other "theft from the person" was up a staggering 10%"
Robberies, bag snatches, pick-pocketing and other "theft from the person" was up a staggering 10% with police logging almost 100,000 offences in 2011.
Stolen smart phones, iPods and other popular gadgets are also thought to be behind the largest year on year increase since 2002.
There were 15,552 knife-point hold-ups reported to officers last year, up 9% from 14,246 in the previous 12 months and there was a 2% rise in serious sex offences.
Comment: "Cameron, Ken Clarke, & Osborne should be ashamed of themselves and tried for endangering the lives of UK citizens - then hung up and slowly bled to death in public, outside a hospital or benefit office would suit the occasion!"
Saturday 21st April 2012
Topic: Tory Minister - Asbestos debate
"Tory minister 'smirked and giggled' during asbestos victims debate"
Source: The Mirror
Extract: Multi-millionaire Tory minister giggled and smirked as MPs debated plans to cut aid for asbestos victims, it was claimed yesterday.
Justice Minister Jonathan Djanogly grinned as politicians described the effects of mesothelioma, Labour said.
When Commons Speaker John Bercow offered him the chance to explain his behaviour, Djanogly refused.
Comment: "What do you expect from the secure, safe, pampered rich Conservative nepotists?"
Sunday 22nd April 2012
Topic: London Mayor Campaign - BNP
"London mayor candidates quit debate over BNP"
Source: BBC News
Extract: Labour's Ken Livingstone and the Green Party's Jenny Jones have pulled out of a BBC London mayoral debate because the BNP candidate is taking part.
A spokesman for Conservative Boris Johnson said he had never confirmed his involvement, but would also "not share a stage" with the BNP.
Lib Dem Brian Paddick has withdrawn too, but a spokesman said it was not a result of the BNP's participation.
The BBC said it was committed to giving the BNP "proportionate coverage".
A spokesman for the BNP said the withdrawals were "all rather childish" and would put people off politics: "They are just trying to scupper another person's opportunity for debate, which is very uncivilised and very un-British."
Comment: "With the BNPs record on debates, I'd have thought the candidates would have jumped at the chance for a discussion with the BNP representative? Or am I being naive?"
