Heron's Eye: 28/10/08

The toilet roll of reason and the burger box of justice 28/10/08
Through examining the day’s Parliamentary debates, Simon Hoggart humorously highlights some of the hyperbole connected with crime and punishment. [Guardian]

Alex Salmond hints at concessions on local income tax plan 28/10/08
“Alex Salmond has signalled a significant switch in economic policy as his plans for a new local income tax for all wage earners came under sustained attack from Alistair Darling.

The first minister said during campaigning in the Glenrothes byelection yesterday that his government was considering major concessions to win over critics of proposals to replace the council tax with a new 3p in the pound income tax for local services.” [Guardian]

I think I made a mistake, admits Osborne 28/10/08
“George Osborne attempted yesterday to draw a line under the row over his contacts with a Russian billionaire when he admitted he had made a mistake in discussing a donation from Oleg Deripaska during his summer holiday in Corfu.” [Guardian]

Brown and Sarkozy unite in call for increased IMF funds 28/10/08
“Gordon Brown tonight received the backing of French president Nicolas Sarkozy for a substantial increase in the resources available to the International Monetary Fund to stop the "financial contagion" from spreading around the world.” [Guardian]

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Grimsdale's Ire: 01/08/08

Blindfolds that wrecked a deal to boost global trade

Excellent article by Phillip Stephens in the FT, discussing the lack of heroes participating in the Doha round. He mentions the likely effects on international trade, geopolitics and on the impact on the poorest nations. [FT]

Erdogan must seize this chance to reform Turkey

Soli Ozel on a key episode in Turkey’s democratisation process, involving Turkey’s court deliberating that the AKP should not be shut down despite being engaged in anti-secular activities. [FT]

A windfall tax is an easy solution – but a wrong one

The Independent’s leading article on why a windfall tax on energy companies would only be a short-term solution and how more effective regulation would be more appropriate. [Independent]

The Cost of Oil Subsidies

NY Times editorial on developing economies continuing their oil subsidies. [NYTimes]

Sam Freedman: Good teachers are made in the classroom

Sam Freedman, head of the education unit at Policy Exchange reinforces the importance of high quality teaching on educational attainment and on possible innovations such as paid learning on the job to encourage recruitment and development of trainees. [Independent]

Pensioners are a blessing, not a problem

Melanie McDonagh takes an optimistic view of the consequences of longer life expectancy on society. [Telegraph]

How to regain popularity: windfall taxes or surcharge on banks?

Michael White on Gordon Brown’s options for alleviating poverty caused through soaring energy prices. [Guardian]

The return of Nicolas Sarkozy, the great reformer

Rosemary Righter on Nicolas Sarkozy’s sudden flourish of legislative reforms. [Times]

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