Alex Stevenson

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Dancing in the wards: NHS chief David Nicholson on the way out

Sir David Nicholson is to resign as chief executive of NHS England early next year, it has emerged, in a move set to prompt ecstatic celebrations from campaigners.

SNP insists Scotland can 'afford' independence

Alex Salmond has insisted there is "all to play for" in the Scottish independence referendum campaign, as he outlined how a national Scottish government would use its economic powers to boost its GDP.

Government 'will never tame the internet'

Ministers and judges will never succeed in taming the "immensely powerful" internet, the chair of the Commons' culture, media and sport committee has told Politics.co.uk.

Police search MP's office over 'serious offence'

Deputy Speaker Nigel Evans' Westminster office is believed to have been searched by police, it has emerged.

Cameron begs tax havens to 'get our own house in order' ahead of G8

David Cameron has suggested a "critical mass" of participation in measures designed to reduce the effectiveness of offshore tax havens is close, as next month's G8 summit looms.

Parents want default porn block, after all

The number of parents supporting a default ban on all pornographic websites has jumped, according to new research.

The week in review: Just another monster Tory uprising

Most political parties which collectively shoot themselves in the foot again and again eventually learn their lesson. Not the Conservatives.

Nigel Farage's Edinburgh humiliation sparks SNP spat

Alex Salmond has added his voice to those of the anti-Ukip protesters who forced Nigel Farage out of an Edinburgh pub yesterday, declaring: "We can frankly do without Ukip."

Review: Propaganda and Power, British Library

As the British Library's new exhibition shows, when it comes to propaganda the ridiculous - and our own politics - are never far away.

Talking politics needs booze - and plenty of it

Let's face it: If you were forced into a building filled with as many politicians as the Palace of Westminster contains you'd probably need a drink or two to get by, too.

Tory call on Labour MPs to back referendum bill

Eurosceptic Conservative James Wharton has agreed to bring forward David Cameron's draft bill on an EU referendum, in a development which will prompt a deep sigh of relief in Downing Street.

Profile: EU referendum bill champion James Wharton

James Wharton, the Tory eurosceptic who will carry his party's hopes of an EU referendum in the Cameron-endorsed bill, has a surprisingly colourful early political career.

Harman investigates mystery of missing older women TV presenters

Broadcasting chiefs face a dressing-down from Harriet Harman in the Commons later, after it emerged just 18% of television presenters over the age of 50 are women.

Dorries ready to stand on Tory-Ukip ticket

Nadine Dorries has flabbergasted Westminster once again - by suggesting she performs a one-woman Conservative-Ukip merger.

Petrol price-fixing allegations shock MPs

Ministers are calling on energy firms to collaborate with the European Commission's probe into petrol price-fixing.

PMQs as it happened

Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg covered for David Cameron at PMQs this week. Review his progress in fielding questions from MPs here.

Podcast: The perils of being Europe minister

We speak to Europe minister David Lidington about the trials and tribulations of life in one of the coalition's toughest jobs.

Interview: Europe minister David Lidington

"It's never dull," Europe minister David Lidington says. As the Conservative in charge of a divisive and controversial area, the question of an EU referendum is never far away.

Referendum moves won't make Ukip go away, Europe minister says

Europe minister David Lidington has hit out against Conservative eurosceptics ahead of Wednesday's likely vote by telling them to focus on issues other than the in/out referendum tearing his party apart.

The irresistible rise of the Tory rebels

This week's row about the EU referendum is getting so convoluted it's starting to feel as if this is an aberration from the norm. It is not. Endemic rebelliousness on the Conservative backbenches is here to stay even if the Tories change their leader, experts have warned.